2nd September 2007
Burston, Norfolk, England, UK
Burston Strike School Rally
Every year, since 1984, there is a rally and picnic on Church Green in front of the Strike School to commemorate the first rally in 1914, the opening of the School in 1917 and the work of the Higdons. The Rally is held on the first Sunday in September and is an opportunity to hear speeches by trade union leader, politicians, and activists in the Labour movement.
Union branches bring their banners and there is a march around "The Candlestick" to commemorate the children's original march in 1914. The green is covered with stalls selling all manner of goods and promoting the holders' ideas and services. There is also a refreshment tent where beer, sandwiches and burgers are served and you can listen to live bands or meet with friends. It is a really fun day.
Past speakers include: Tony Benn, Jack Boddy, Ron Todd, Joan Maynard, Jimmy Knapp, Bill Morris, Barry Leathwood, Rodney Bickerstaffe, Jack Jones, Tony Banks, Bruce Kent, Dennis Skinner, John Prescott, Arthur Scargill, Doug McAvoy, John Monks, Ken Livingstone, Ian Gibson, Glennys Kinnock, Tam Dalyell, John Edmunds, and many many more.
Burston Strike School Rally - 'the longest strike in history'
On 1 April 1914 the pupils of Burston School marched in support of their two dismissed teachers, Tom and Kitty Higdon. The Higdons were closely associated with the Agricultural Workers' Union which brought them into conflict with the squirarchy and the Church of England which was responsible for the education of children in the countryside.
Association with the farm workers' union and Tom's election to the Parish Council as a Labour member had prompted the dismissals. The school children, 66 out of 72, had gone on strike. This was to be the first day of the longest strike in history.
The Strike School, the alternative to the CoE County School from where the Higdons had seen sacked, was firstly located in the blacksmith's workshop and latterly in purpose built premises erected on Burston Village Green by Labour Movement subscription.
The Strike School continued to function until the beginning of the Second World War. Tom Higdon died on 17 August 1939 and the school closed a few months later. Kitty, then in her seventies, was unable to carry on alone and the remaining pupils transferred to the County School. Kitty died on 24 April 1946.
In 1949 the Strike School was registered as an educational charity. There are 4 self-perpetuating trustees who, with the support of the T&G, manage the school and try to develop it as a museum, visitor centre, educational archive and village amenity.
Since 1984, an annual rally has been held in Burston to commemorate the first rally held in 1914 and celebrate the struggles that took place in Burston in the first half of the last century - a celebration of a challenge to the old rural order that has yet to be completed, but continues to be inspired by the struggle that began in Burston.
"But there really can be no peace or victory for us which does not bring with it freedom for the countryside, liberty and life for the labourer and prosperity and plenty to his home and family. The labourer must henceforth take his place industrially, socially and politically with the best and foremost of the land. He must do this himself - by the force and power of his union. And he can!" Tom Higdon in The Labourer January 1917.
