Branch News (1962)

Party News from the October 1962 issue of the Socialist Standard

Dates to Remember. Saturday and Sunday, October 6th and 7th, venue Head Office, 52 Clapham High Street, SW4—occasion—the 1962 Autumn Delegate Meeting. Fuller details on meetings page. The Propaganda Committee are arranging an evening indoor meeting after the Sunday’s proceedings. Thursday, October 18th at Conway Hall, Red Lion Square, London, W.C.1 at 7,30. Public meeting—support of Comrades and sympathisers will ensure that this meeting will he a successful one. Subject — “Labour Government or Socialism”. Speakers— Comrades E. Grant and E. Hardy. This is the first date that a meeting could be arranged after the Labour Party Conference and the speakers will be referring to this. As with all Party activity, the support of members is essential and is also most encouraging to those organising and speaking at the meetings—So Comrades, if you are not speaking or organising on this evening, please bring along as many friends and be available to help with literature sales, etc.

There will be a contingent of Socialist Party members in Brighton during the Labour Party Conference week which commences on October 1st. Our comrades will be around throughout the week to sell literature. Any Comrade living, or holidaying in the vicinity would be a welcome assistant. The Propaganda Committee are hoping to arrange some outdoor meetings at the week-end. The Comrades at Brighton will know about the meetings and will be able to give details to other Comrades who wish to support such meetings.

It is encouraging to see the list of lectures and meetings being held to start off the Autumn/Winter Propaganda session. Glasgow and Paddington Branches have arranged lectures right through to next Spring. Islington, Hackney and Lewisham, Ealing and Wembley Branches are also very energetic and have several meetings arranged. Hackney Branch for instance will hold regular meetings every second Wednesday in each month from October to March. All readers are cordially invited fas they are to all and every meeting of the Socialist Party of Great Britain—Executive Committee meetings included.

Lewisham Branch activity is increasing with the lectures arranged, correspondence with the Press, canvassing locally and work for the Bromley Group. The Branch members would be pleased if Comrades in near by branches could assist in billposting, printing and canvassing. A number of Branch members attended a public meeting of the local Committee of 100 and extended a challenge to debate. They hope the challenge will be accepted in the near future.

Ealing Branch commences its most ambitious programme of lectures, discussions and films. All members are asked to give the venture their fullest support and sympathisers are cordially invited. Two film shows are in the programme for October.

Wembley Branch Comrades were very gratified when comrade Michael’s recent talk on “The Socialist Revolution” attracted about twenty members of the local Labour Party Youth section (“Young Socialists”) There was good and lively discussion. September 10th was the date of the first indoor public meeting this Autumn, Comrade Hardy spoke on the “Common Market”. Among the other events planned the Branch hope to show a film on Cuba.

Two successful meetings have been held at Southsea this season. It is a pity that this station cannot be given greater attention. It was noted that audiences seemed more attentive than previously and literature sales were greater. Other outdoor meetings at Earls Court, in conjunction with Ealing Branch have been most encouraging, with large audiences and good literature sales.

Canvassing efforts continue month-by-month, and August 26th saw a small team visiting Stevenage in support of the new Mid-Herts Group. The Comrades hope that on the next more people will be at home to greet the canvassers. The result of the first canvass was rather disappointing but there will be another time!

The “New Zealand Building Worker” is reprinting the whole of our January Common Market articles in serial form. The first section appeared in their July issue and we have received their July and August numbers. Each section has a heading. The July issue contained the following:— “For the benefit of our members we intend to reprint from the Socialist Standard (England) a survey and analysis of the Common Market (E.E.C.). The complicated situation the United Kingdom finds herself in today is revealed in these articles which will be reprinted in succeeding issues of our journal”,

Phyllis Howard

Branch News (1962)

Party News from the September 1962 issue of the Socialist Standard

The Autumn Delegate Meeting is being held on Saturday afternoon and Sunday, October 6th and 7th at Head Office, 52 Clapham High Street, SW4. More details will be given next month, but meanwhile it is hoped that Comrades will note the date and Branch Secretaries will contact Head Office regarding Provincial Delegates in order that arrangements can be made if necessary for their accommodation.

Outdoor Propaganda generally has been good, despite the very bad weather, Birmingham with Coventry have been teaming well and their programme should be further stimulated by visits from London members. Glasgow are keeping up the good work and no doubt will have a lively Autumn-Winter programme for indoor meetings, more details in October.

The Propaganda Committee is planning at least one large indoor meeting to start off the Winter session and on going to press, they have not quite fixed up the date and venue, but certainly Comrades will be well informed in order that they can give their full support to the meeting. The Films Committee is also very busy with their winter programme and will have a goodly list of films for showing in October.

Regretfully, the changed meeting place of Coventry Group was not given in the last two issues of the Standard and members and sympathisers are asked to note that the Group meets at 60 Alma Street, (off Lower Ford Street) Coventry on the first and third Mondays in each month. Enquiries should be made to the Secretary at that address.

Wembley Branch members were unfortunately unable to canvass in Portsmouth on June 17th as planned, but managed to hold the scheduled open-air meeting on the sea front. This was successful, and the comrades have arranged another for August 19th. Results of this in our next issue.

Stevenage is due for a visit from Wembley on August 26th when a canvass will be tried, this to follow Paddington’s meeting there on on the previous day. It is hoped that the newly formed Mid-Herts group will get some help from this effort.

Posters advertising our meetings have now been sent to British Railways and should be appearing shortly on station hoardings in our area. We plan to keep our local press advertising going at the same time, of course, and it will be interesting to see what sort of results we get. Other branches might like to try the poster idea. It is comparatively cheap.

Having run several successful indoor public meetings, we are busy planning another for the late autumn. Members and friends are asked to watch tor details, and to give all the help they can.

Glasgow Branch are following up their most successful series of indoor lectures with an enlarged outdoor series of meetings. They hold regular Sunday evening meetings in West, Regent Street and on Saturday afternoons speak at Royal Exchange Square. In addition they hold meetings at the Mound in Edinburgh every Sunday, one in the afternoon and one in the evening. They have also opened a new outdoor speaking stance at Rose Street, off Sauchiehall Street on Thursday evenings.

They have prepared an ambitious series of lectures for the indoor season in St. Andrews Halls this winter from October till April and those interested will find the details elsewhere in this issue. The Branch also intend to run this series in Hamilton and Edinburgh—and those interested in the Hamilton meetings should contact T. Jones, 56 Buchanan Crescent, Laighstonehall, Hamilton, and those residing in the Edinburgh area should contact the Glasgow Branch organiser, A. Thomson, Shirva, Twechar, Glasgow. The success of this, the most ambitious series of lectures depends upon the support of sympathisers and Party contacts. We make a special appeal to all those interested in Socialism in the Hamilton and Edinburgh areas to support this venture.

Phyllis Howard

SPGB Meetings (1965)

Party News from the March 1965 issue of the Socialist Standard

SPGB Meetings (1964)

Party News from the July 1964 issue of the Socialist Standard

SPGB Meetings (1981)

Party News from the May 1981 issue of the Socialist Standard

SPGB Meetings (1965)

Party News from the April 1965 issue of the Socialist Standard

SPGB Meetings and Debates (1964)

Party News from the June 1964 issue of the Socialist Standard

Branch News (1963)

Party News from the May 1963 issue of the Socialist Standard

The Annual Conference is over and now is the time when outdoor propaganda really starts, and what better aid for success in this field is to have available a big and well-produced Socialist Standard to help spread the word of Socialism. This May issue has been prepared with this end in view and if everyone who normally takes one or two copies each month, at least doubled that quantity we should have sold the whole issue. A well worth achievement!

Glasgow Branch is contesting the Municipal Election in Woodside during May and the Branch members with their usual enthusiasm have been busy canvassing and holding many indoor and outdoor meetings. It is hoped that this issue of the Standard will help them in their task.

The Mid-Herts Group founded last year has been holding meetings at intervals in homes of members. A regular meeting place has been obtained and a programme of lectures and discussions is planned. This summer, some members of the Group intend to help Paddington Branch in the running of outdoor meetings at Stevenage. An “Any Questions” meeting was held by the Group at Welwyn on April 3rd. This was well attended and very successful. Good literature sales and collection resulted.

The third meeting of the three-branch effort (Paddington, Bloomsbury and Ealing) takes place at the small Conway Hall, Red Lion Square on Monday, May 13th at 7.30. There is ample room and again the meeting will be Any Questions. It is hoped that refreshments will be available. Bloomsbury Branch is organising this meeting.

Please note the May Day meetings (on May 1st and May 5th), good support by members will mean good meetings. Members please co-operate and support the speakers.

The severe winter curtailed Wembley Branch Socialist Standard canvassing efforts, but with the better weather, the recent sluggishness and inertia have given way to renewed activity. The May Socialist Standard will have special attention, and several evening canvasses have been planned in addition to the usual ones at weekends. Again, in support of the Special number we have arranged a public meeting at Barham Park on May 20th. Subject—of course— “Housing”. Every branch member is asked to support this very important meeting and see that it is well publicised. There will at least be leaflets, distributed well in advance, and the usual local press adverts.

Other events in the offing are two propaganda trips to Southsea in June and August, a film show, and the opening of outdoor meetings at Earls Court alternate Fridays, commencing June. Full details will be announced as they are known. Watch the Socialist Standard for these, also for the dates and titles of future branch discussions and lectures (suspended recently to make way for Annual Conference business). Finally, well designed posters advertising the branch's regular meetings are still displayed prominently on two of the Wembley Railway Stations and we shall try to keep them there for as long as we can. Who knows, perhaps some of our many visitors will in future be disgruntled victims of Dr. Beeching’s axe.

We are receiving a number of enquiries from readers in North East England, and have also received two applications for membership. It has been suggested by members of Central Branch, living in the Newcastle-on-Tyne vicinity that a Discussion Group might be established. Would readers and sympathisers, interested in forming such a Group, please submit their name and address to the Central Organiser at H.O. so that the matter can be considered.

Phyllis Howard

Branch News (1963)

Party News from the December 1963 issue of the Socialist Standard

As in the past, we are making an urgent appeal to Members and sympathisers, to ensure that as many people as possible obtain and read the Socialist Standard. This special appeal is made each December and the subscription form in this issue is a simple way in which to fill in names and addresses, and send off to Head Office with the appropriate postal order. Many of us have saved a few extra shillings to spend, as most workers have some days off at the end of the month. Why not spend some of the savings by sending somebody a years supply of the Standard? It is hoped that new readers will not only pass on their copy, but will order copies to be sent elsewhere. It is well worth trying.

Mid-Herts Group are holding two meetings—one on Thursday, December 5 and Thursday, January 2. Details with Meeting Notices. Recently the Group held a meeting attended by the Central Organiser. It was decided not to form a branch at present, and to attempt to increase activities, e.g., fortnightly meetings (instead of monthly), alternating between Stevenage and Welwyn Garden City, perhaps with the assistance of Wembley Branch members.

Belfast Branch (WSP) has agreed to contest at least five seats in the Municipal Elections to be held next May. Candidates have been selected for three wards—Duncairn, Shankhill and Pothinger. Two other Wards are under consideration. Shankhill and Duncairn have been contested by the Party before, but this will be the first attempt at Pothinger—a Ward where a lot of effort has been concentrated and where Socialist Standard sales are very good. There will be Labour, Unionist and Communist opponents and the Party will take the opportunity of putting the Socialist alternative to all the reformist groups. The campaign has already started with literature sales drives and the distribution of leaflets.

Open-air meetings in Customs House Square are well established with audiences averaging 50 each Sunday. Questions are good and the meetings continue until dark. This behoves well for the Spring and Summer when the party hopes to hold week-night meetings there. The Sunday meetings now commence at 3.30 p.m. Despite weekly challenges, none have been accepted by the Labour or Communist Parties. The local organiser of the N.C.L.C., Mr. Andrew Boyd, has agreed to a Public Debate in the New Year-- "Which Way to Socialism? " Further details in January.

Swansea Branch is active, more so now that several members are settling in the vicinity which makes it easier for the work to be done. Comrade Harris recently gave a talk to the Students of Swansea University College on "Why Socialists should Oppose the Labour Party.” Several articles have appeared in students magazines, written by Party members. Comrades Mellor and Brain recently attended an open-air meeting of the Nazi-Panzer Group and distributed Socialist Party literature. It is hoped, in the near future, to combine a talk in the University with a public meeting in the town. All in all the Comrades in Swansea are optimistic and looking forward to much future activity.

Phyllis Howard

Obituary: John Perryman (1990)

Obituary from the December 1990 issue of the Socialist Standard

It is with regret that we have to record the death of John Perryman who failed to recover from a cycling accident.

John joined the Party in 1948 and he worked hard for the Party from then on. Regular at his branch his quiet cheerful manner always made visitors welcome. He was frequently to be seen at a street corner at some N. Herts small town near Stevenage selling the Socialist Standard.

Always happy on his cycle, prior to his retirement John and his wife Eunice cycled to Turkey and back. No doubt spreading socialist knowledge whenever possible. He was a skilled carpenter who completely rebuilt his derelict lock cottage near Taunton, that became his retirement home, where members were made most welcome by John and Eunice, A week before his fatal accident John finished a complete structural renewal of the water-mill next to his cottage.

His consistent commitment to socialism was an example to all members. He will be greatly missed. All his comrades extend to his wife and three daughters condolences and sympathy on their bereavement.

News From Mid Herts (1964)

Party News from the December 1964 issue of the Socialist Standard

Much activity has taken place during the last year in Welwyn Garden City, Stevenage and Hatfield. The Group reports that the number of members has increased over this period. Seventeen discussion meetings have been held, most of them being held at Welwyn Garden City Community Centre. Fortnightly outdoor meetings were held at Stevenage Town Centre.

Canvassing of the Socialist Standard in the three areas has been regularly carried out and sales have risen from 2½ to 10 dozen per month. The Standard is regularly available in the public libraries at Hatfield and Welwyn Garden City.

The above is a short report of the activities of this Group who would welcome sympathisers and members in the district to help carry on the good propaganda work they are doing. K. Knight is the secretary — full address under “Groups” in this issue.

Branch News (1964)

Party News from the January 1964 issue of the Socialist Standard

Readers of the December issue who ordered a year’s subscription for the Socialist Standard should be feeling justified on seeing the first issue for 1964. Those who did not send in their subscription form are reminded now, and with this special issue as an example of Socialist literature subscription forms should now be pouring into Head Office. The more Standards sold, the less the overall cost and other fields of propaganda can be embarked upon with more cash in the “kitty".

Wembley Branch have had a most successful literature canvass—all their Standard stock was sold out, the latter part of the canvass was in a new area for the Branch —Queen’s Park. The canvassers were impressed by the interest taken, some people bought two copies and asked that they be called on again.

Mid-Herts. Group have been operating for just over a year. Much progress has been made and it is hoped to arrange a series of meetings in the New Year based upon the policies of the Conservative, Liberal and Labour Parties. These may take the form of discussion debates or a lecture from a Party speaker. When these arrangements are complete it is hoped to have leaflets printed and distributed to advertise the events.

South East Essex Branch holds its first meeting of the New Year on Monday, January 13th and will then meet every two weeks from that date.

During last month’s by-election in Marylebone, our local Branch members produced a special leaflet for the occasion. They also attended the meetings of the contesting parties, and keenly questioned the candidates. At Labour's meetings our comrades successfully put their points, exposing the weakness and anti-socialist nature of the Labour Party. At the Conservative meetings our members tried hard and well, but were faced with the strange phenomena of a candidate who refused point blank to answer oral questions from anyone. This Tory candidate apparently has aspired for the premiership. His arrogance and rudeness, plus his hollow phrase-mongering only made him look very foolish as well as incompetent.

Phyllis Howard