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Strikers and the Silk Mill

  • pritchardelaine
  • Jun 8
  • 3 min read

By Elaine Pritchard


Raising awareness is as important to our project as raising money - and this week we have done a fair bit of both.


When Will and I set out to create the Vale Rawlings Project we knew we wanted charities that were central to Vale's personal beliefs and values to benefit from any money raised.


We chose YMCA Burton, which helps people in crisis, in food poverty and those who are homeless, and SARAC, the Sexual Abuse and Rape Advice Centre, which supports all those over 11 years of age who are at risk or have been affected by sexual abuse or rape.


We also know that a project like ours provides another platform for them to reach people and secure more vital donations and help from volunteers and business partners.


On Wednesday, June 4, we were at the Tom Bradbury suite at Burton Albion FC's Pirelli Stadium in Stretton for a film premiere! It was the first ever screening of the film made of our one-off performance of Strikers! last December at Burton Town Hall. Generous sponsorship by Ben Robinson, MBE, DL, Burton Albion's Honorary Chairman, enabled us to keep ticket prices down to £5 and give all the proceeds to our two charities. A total of £450 was raised and officials and trustees from the two charities were able to network and talk about what they do.


We see a large screen with the logo of the Vale Rawlings Project on it. Next to it stands a woman in a blue top gesturing at the screen as she speaks. We see the backs of the heads of audience members looking at her and the screen
Elaine introduces the film of Strikers! at the Pirelli Stadium. Pic by East Staffs Trades Council.

Three days later we were in Derby with a stall about our project on Cathedral Green as part of the Silk Mill Lockout festival.


This annual event remembers Britain's first organised industrial dispute in 1833-1834 when Derby mill workers were locked out by the factory owners for protesting about the sacking of a colleague, refusing to accept pay cuts and trying to form a trade union so they could stand together for their rights.


A woman in a black raincoat smiles at the camera. She stands beside a square white table under a tree. There are documents on the table, two chairs behind it and a pink box containing more materials for the information stall.
Elaine sets up the Vale Rawlings stall

The weather was not as kind as it could have been, but we were lucky to have a spot under a tree which protected us from the occasional showers.


We had some good conversations with people - all of whom were hearing about vale's story for the first time. I also received some useful information about a database of Conscientious Objectors that I will be exploring.


Elaine talks to a man in a raincoat at the Vale Rawlings stall on Cathedral Green in Derby


You never know the connections you will make at events like this and what they might lead to in the future.


I was also able to explain about the charities we support and one stallholder in particular wanted to know more about SARAC as it dovetails with work she does with her own organisation.


During the day in Derby I handed out lots of information about the project and the URL for this website and our Facebook Page - so maybe some of those people are reading this news article now!


Our future plans include:

  • Continuing to research and write the book about Vale Rawlings, and his life and times in Burton;

  • Planning in more screenings of the Strikers film - if you know of possible venues, please get in touch;

  • Looking for more opportunities to speak to groups about Vale's story in return for a donation to the CIC;

  • Planning a fundraiser for our CIC - we have expenses such as professional accountancy fees and website hosting to cover and there will be expenses to meet to produce the book;

  • Talking at Derby Museum and Art Gallery on Saturday August 30, from 1pm to 3.30pm. Admission is £5 but pre-booking is essential due to limited space. See Derby Museums for more info and to book.


 
 
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