Aslef Journal

Track 17April 2010 KeepingWHAT THE UNION WAS DOING100 AND 50 YEARS AGO100 years ago the Journal reporteda disappointing meeting inLondon – only 800 turned up! And50 years ago there was a ceremonyto name the last steam loco …ASLEF’s support for Labour extended to an opera recital!District 6: ASLEF’ssecret LabourParty donorsA NUMBER of ASLEF activists attended aconstituency Labour Party dinner on 18February. The event was hosted by the Chairof Parliament’s Transport Select Committee,Louise Ellman, who is MP for LiverpoolRiverside.It started with a bang for ASLEF as myASLEF colleague Gary Boyle and I were luckyenough to win first prize in the raffle. In lightof the upcoming General Election we gaveback the £100 prize to support the Party. Ihope this won’t lead to Gary and I beingexposed as secret Labour Party donors!The entertainment was 'A Night At TheOpera'. I was looking forward to renditionsof ‘Bohemian Rhapsody’ and ‘Radio Ga Ga’ –but how wrong I was! We were treated to anumber of operatic renditions, though notmy 'cup of tea', were quite mesmerising andextremely well received.Guest Speaker Lord Andrew Adonis, theSecretary of State for Transport, spoke wellwith the railways at the top of his agenda.He mentioned the East Coast Mainline andits government ownership which led to afew cheers from the ASLEF table. He alsoexpressed his appreciation of our union andhis support for our ideals and vision.After the meal we had the opportunity tomix with our political and trade unioncolleagues and to promote the work of ourunion. I spoke to Lord Adonis about the roleof Health & Safety in our industry and tradeunion.It was an excellent evening and I thinkthe ASLEF delegates made a positive impactand impression on those present. On apersonal note it was a pleasure to meetMichael Shields, the Liverpool Footballsupporter who was wrongly imprisoned inBulgaria, and was only released thanks to avigorous campaign which included LouiseEllman. He was finally granted a RoyalEating for victory! Colin Smith, LordAdonis and Louise EllmanPardon in September 2009.Many thanks for a wonderful eveningto Colin Smith, our District Organiser andto my other ASLEF colleague. It was anhonour to represent the union at theevent.Alan Moss, Longsight BranchUpcomingevents LONGSIGHT REUNIONSThe next Longsight Reunion will beheld on Wednesday 12 May at PeakRail, Rowsley and will include theprivate hire of the railway and Stanier8F 48624 with train. There will be abar/buffet. All ‘Black 8 drivers andfiremen are welcome. Contact MelThorley on 07778 556760 or Ray Bullenon 07952 686495.All Manchester area men andwomen are welcome to the NavigationRoad Club at 1300 on Thursday 14October for the next Longsight event. DIDCOT REUNIONThe Didcot ASLEF reunion will takeplace on Saturday 1 May at the RailwayStaff Club at Didcot from noononwards. All present and associatemembers are welcome.100 YEARS AGO‘A.E.T’ gave this account of a public meeting inthe April 1910 Journal …“A “mass propaganda” meeting, under thedirection of the London Branches, was held at theNew Bedford Palace of Varieties, Camden Town,on Sunday evening, February 20th, when Mr. A.Fox, Mr. W. Warwick and Mr. J. Bromley addressedthe audience, supported by Brother W. Clarke (lateE.C. member for North London), BrotherStevenson (E.C. member for South-East District)and several branch secretaries. Unfortunately theweather which prevailed, and which no one willforget in a hurry, told against us considerably, yetthe muster, over 800 persons, was an indication ofwhat might have proved a record meeting undermore favourable climatic conditions. Nor was italtogether comfortable for the speakers; doorsslammed, curtains swayed and rain pelted themfrom above, whilst from without the unmercifulwind shrieked and roared, which must veryforcibly have reminded those present of theliabilities and responsibilities of those on the roadfor whom, and the whole of the fraternity, thespeakers were ardently emphasizing the need ofprotection and just recognition, which couldonly be secured by the consolidation of alllocomotive-men in their own Society, to wit, theA.S.L.E.& F.”50 YEARS AGOThe Editor’s Notes included these words on‘The End of an Era’ …“March 18th, 1960, at Swindon (WesternRegion) took place the formal naming ceremonyof the last steam locomotive to be built by BritishRailways...Mr Hanks (Chairman, Western Area Board)made fitting reference to this in his openingspeech, in the course of which he said:“I am sure it has been truly said that no otherproduct of man’s mind has ever exercised such acompelling hold upon the public’s imagination asthe steam locomotive. No other machine, in itsday, has been a more faithful friend to mankindand has contributed more to the cause ofindustrial prosperity in this, the land of its birth,and throughout the world.“No other machine, somehow, is so human andso gentle and yet, when unleashed, is capable ofsuch prodigies of strength – nothing quite sograceful in action and nothing quite soromantic.” Extracts selected and edited byJane Pimlott