Sheffield FridayNightRide

we have nothing to lose but our chains

2016/06/03 The Sheffield Outrages

Report: Fifty-four (54!) folks on the Outrages ride. The well-behaved peloton enjoyed a balmy evening which got milder as it went on. Unfortunately Julia, having worked on the ride, was not able to take part so I muddled on as best, and as only, I can.

​Here’s my notes – good idea to take a dekko at the map of the ride too ​https://docs.google.com/document/d/1WSq_XbV7CrHhVLkPBaKdfhsyeptgb-P-1Wh7ucg_lbo/edit?usp=sharing

​I found it a magical night; I felt people were really into it and gave me the benefit of the doubt for any cock-ups. Its such a good story where one still doesn’t know how one wd have behaved at the time​.
But I think we are going backwards and labour has less and less power over the terms and conditions of work – boo; if not horror
The drinks in the Gardener’s garden were just fab and getting the chimney on the wood burner to glow red hot was a wonderful pyromaniacal act.
I’m not sure what time I got home but it was 1.30 before I turned in.
So a good’un. And that is the feedback I have got so far

Sheffield FridayNightRide
Friday June 3 2016
The Sheffield Outrages
6.30 pm Barkers Pool

In April 1867, spurred on by a Liberal editor of a Sheffield newspaper, a committee of a Government Royal Commission convened in Sheffield Town Hall at Waingate. The committee were going to interview Sheffielders who from the 1840s had been involved in acts of vandalism, violence, arson, bombings and at least two killings in disputes about work, jobs, employment and terms & conditions of employment. These events became known as the Sheffield Outrages.

This ride will be to sites where some of these outrages occurred and the talk will be about the nature of the outrages, who did what to whom and why, and what the Royal Commission heard as evidence. We think for the only time in UK law all witnesses were granted immunity, whatever the offence, from prosecution in return for being truthful. Surprisingly the result was that the Royal Commission led to significant improvements to trade union law but some were contradictory with respect to striking and picketing. The TUC was formed to lobby to resolve these contradictions. So the talk will also be about the rights and importance of trade unions.

The industrialisation of Sheffield, particularly the introduction of steam engines for power, brought many trades together in the city centre. The manufacture of a single product involves many processes e.g. forging, casting, cutting, shaping, grinding, sharpening, handle-fitting, & polishing. The product could travel from one workshop to another and each workshop would be staffed by little mesters and their apprentices. These trades were skilled and apprenticeships could be long. The artisans and craftsmen needed the employment but to ensure that rates of pay were fair and equitable and that the quality of the work was good amongst all, the little mesters organised themselves into combinations and unions. And that is where the problems started ….

Maps

and
the route is still to be worked out

Heads up! It is at a leisurely pace with stops to talk and listen. It is all on roads or metalled trails or paths and should suit any bike.
Please bring LIGHTS, LOCK(S) and dress appropriately for the weather
Please be on time. In an emergency then PHONE Mick on the mobile number below.

Badge: SFNR_Badge_Outrages

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sheffield_Outrages
Friedrich Engels The Condition of the English Working Class http://www.gutenberg.org/files/17306/17306-h/17306-h.htm
https://www.tuc.org.uk/about-tuc/union-history/section-events-led-first-tuc

“We have nothing to lose but our chains!”
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