Pit and Factory papers
Pit and factory papers were periodicals produced by small communist party groups within individual workplaces and as such give a unique insight into local communist activism. According to the illustrated pamphlet Pit and Factory Papers by Eddie and Ruth Frow they “took a long hard look at the working conditions, wages and life generally of those among whom they worked”
The papers were typed and then duplicated for distribution within the mine or factory and not many have survived. As well as articles they contained illustrations and cartoons, showing varying degrees of talent and sophistication.
The library holds 105 examples of these papers, with an emphasis on the North West of England and all have now been catalogued as part of our larger periodicals collection. Most date from the late 1920s and early 1930s and cover such diverse workplaces as Herrburger Brooks who made piano components (Action keynote), Askern colliery near Doncaster (The Askern turn point), Metropolitan Electric Tramways (Eighth notch) and Salford Docks (Salford Docker). Sadly, the library usually has only one or two issues of a paper and sometimes only photocopies of the originals, but occasionally there is a longer run. For example, we have 18 original issues of The Jogger – the communist paper for clearing house clerks at Euston station and 8 original issues of The Red Letter – a paper for postal workers.
The Communist Party of Great Britain continued to organise within factories and pits and by 1942 the Lancashire district had 109 pit and factory groups. However, the 1944 campaign to affiliate to the Labour Party meant that the Communist Party concentrated on building area branches and members were transferred to these. In the process a majority of the factory and pit members were lost to the party as many felt their political work was in the industrial field.
For those interested in further background to the production of the papers and a list of around 180 titles the pamphlet by Eddie and Ruth Frow is available from our online bookshop at https://wcml.org.uk/shop/