Skip to main content
An inspirational bus stop
NICK MATTHEWS recalls the life and deeds of union organiser Joseph Arch
The original Wellesbourne Tree where Joseph Arch first addressed a crowd of agricultural labourers in 1872; inset Joseph Arch [Elliott & Fry/Creative Commons]

THE number 15 bus from Stratford-upon-Avon to Warwick is a great ride that begins with Shakespeare’s birthplace and ends at the mighty Warwick Castle. 

For me, however, there are a couple of sights on route that are even better. One is a bus stop in the village of Wellesbourne.  

It’s not often that there is a huge gathering of the labour movement to open a bus shelter, but 70 years ago, in June 1952, thousands of trade unionists turned up for such an opening in memory of the inspirational founder of the National Agricultural Labourers’ Union’s (NALU), Joseph Arch. 

The 95th Anniversary Appeal
Support the Morning Star
You have reached the free limit.
Subscribe to continue reading.
Similar stories
An original cartoon portrait of Captain Swing depicting him as figure made up of materials required for setting fires, 1830. Pic: British Museum/CC
Features / 12 April 2026
12 April 2026

Long before modern labour movements, England’s farmworkers fought back against their oppression – and for some, like Elizabeth Studham, the price was exile to Australia. MAT COWARD tells the story

Andrew Fisher and King O'Malley (bearded), minister for home affairs, at the naming of Canberra in 1913 / Pic: Public domain
History / 28 February 2026
28 February 2026

KENNY MacASKILL reminds us of the unprecedented political career of a Scottish miner’s militant son who stayed the course and true to his roots

Tolpuddle Martyrs tree
Lawman / 19 July 2025
19 July 2025

ANSELM ELDERGILL examines the legal case behind this weekend’s Tolpuddle Martyrs’ Festival and the lessons for today

Train drivers from the Aslef union on the picket line at Euston station in London, April 5, 2024
Features / 19 July 2025
19 July 2025

As the labour movement meets to remember the Tolpuddle Martyrs, MICK WHELAN, general secretary of train drivers’ union Aslef, says it’s an appropriate moment to remind the Labour government to listen to the trade unions a little more