Thursday 11 April 2013

George Orwell Sings The Blues

And whilst I was finding the cutting of our late prime minister's first poll-tax victim, I also found this from the late Ray Lowry - his finest work!

George Orwell and the Sheffield Connection

George Orwell in Sheffield

John and Audrey Rushton - A Day To Remember

As the country enters a period of profound mourning and despair at the passing of a former politician, I dragged up this old newspaper cutting which amply demonstrates the sheer misery that a "conviction" politician can cause


John and Audrey Rushton seem to have been airbrushed from history - I can find no on-line mention of John's trial and sentence, and given their ages, in all probability, they are no longer here to witness the death of the person who caused them so much grief and anguish. And of course John may have been the first to be sentenced for the crime of non-pyement but he was by no means the last

In fact looking at the last link, it is interesting to note the total lack of support the future Lord Bedwelty gave to his imprisoned colleague. He should hang his head in shame 


Pig Styes for Discharged Soldiers


A sign of things to come



This was reported in the national press on 7th July 1918, but given the lamentable provision of affordable social  housing in Sheffield who is to say that it will not happen again.

I am also going to see if I can get some more information on these two families - it would be interesting to find out their fate



"Sheffield - a city on the move, due to a lack of secure affordable housing.

54% of Sheffield's affordable housing has been lost since 1980! (As of 2010 - and even more has be lost since then!)"