Address of the Coal Miners of the North Staffordshire District - A notice from the Enoch Wood Scrapbook
This notice invites us to explore the hardships suffered by North Staffordshire's coal miners in 1831 - when their early trade unions were still not widely recognised.
Employers often intimidated organised ...
Address to the Workmen in the Parishes of Burslem and Wolstanton - Document from the Enoch Wood Scrapbook
The Truck System
This was a system whereby the workers were forced to accept goods in lieu of payment.
They would be payed in tokens, which could only be spent at the company store or 'Tommy Shop.'
The ...
Brother Potters!
The early 1800s brought hard times for potters in Stoke-on-Trent. Costly wars disrupted trade abroad, while poor harvests caused hunger at home.
"One word with you, afore yo gon to do any moore mischif..."
Government ...
Cases of Distress and Oppression, in the Staffordshire Potteries; By Labourers Wages being paid in Truck - Booklet from the Enoch Wood Scrapbook
The Truck System
This was system whereby the workers were forced to accept goods in lieu of payment.
They would be payed in tokens, which could only be spent at the company store or Tommy Shop.
The ...
Coal getting, Longton
Coal getting during the 1926 miners' strike. Photograph taken by J.A.Lovatt on the outskirts of Longton.
This photograph was probably taken from the East Vale /Meir Hay area of Longton. It’s the ...
Coal Strike 1912. "Coal Getting." Photographed by William Blake.
Photograph of people picking surface coal from a steep quarry edge during the strike of 1912.
Coal Strike, Longton
A temporary tramway during the Coal Strike of 1926.
Coal strike, Longton
Photograph taken during the Coal Strike of 1926, showing a temporary tramway.
Coal Strike, March 1912. "Digging Coal out of Old Pit Mounds". Photographed by William Blake.
"Digging Coal out of Old Pit Mounds". People forage for coal during the strike during March 1912.
Coal Strike, March 1912. "Men Cutting Surface Coal". Photographed by William Blake.
Photograph taken during the national coal strike of 1912. The men are foraging for fuel by cutting surface coal. Taken at Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire.
Coal Strike, March 1912. Coal Pickers at Florence Colliery, Longton, Stoke-On-Trent. Photographed by William Blake.
View of Florence Colliery, Longton, Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire.
People scavenge for bits of coal during the coal strike of 1912.
Named after the Duke of Sutherland's daughter, the pit was opened ...
Hanley November 11 1793 - Document for the Enoch Wood Scrapbook
Food shortage in the Potteries
Hand-written notice calling for pottery workers to gather at Hanley Market Hall.
An additional note written in pencil at the top of the page indicates that the notice ...
Huzza!! Kidcrew Again! Kidcrew Again! An appeal for blackleg workers from the Enoch Wood scrapbook
In the early 1830s early trade unions faced a struggle to gain the recognition of employers, and their members were often treated harshly.
An appeal for knobsticks
A 'gentleman of the pit' in this ...
Josiah Wedgwood II addresses workers at his Etruria factory - 1831 election poster from the Enoch Wood scrapbook
When Josiah Wedgwood II contested an election in Newcastle, he could count on the support of many of his own employees - even if they could not vote for him in practice.
In order to vote, men had to ...
Labour is the Source of Wealth - Document from the Enoch Wood Scrapbook
Organising Labour
Printed notice calling for workers in the Potteries to attend a meeting at the Red Lion Inn, Shelton.
The workers were to be addressed by a spokesman of the National Association ...
Letters on the Management of Shelton Mines 1 - from the Enoch Wood Scrapbook
Unrest at Shelton Mines!
This booklet contains correspondence in the form of two letters between a mining agent at Shelton Mines and the mine owner's auditor of accounts.
The mining agent has come ...
Libel! - Handbill from the Enoch Wood Scrapbook
In 1831 the Potters' Union came out in support of North Staffordshire's striking miners.
Speculation
Reports speculated that the potters were intending to follow the miners in striking for improved ...
May Day Demonstration, Longton. Photographed by William Blake.
A Labour Day demonstration, featuring Miners' Trade Union banners. The demonstrators are marching up Stafford Street, at the corner of Clayton Street in Longton, Stoke-on-Trent.