ON THE MARCH

RMT helpline 0800 376 3706 :: june 2011 :: RMTnews 24 The Peoples History Museum in Manchester is showing an exhibition of striking, richly coloured banners made from 1984 to the present day by Ed Hall for a multitude of campaigns and trade unions. It includes several made for RMT, which is sponsoring this exhibition. It is the first solo exhibition of his work and an exciting opportunity to showcase the work of the country’s foremost trade union and campaign banner artist. Ed’s spectacular banners are displayed alongside preparatory sketches, photographs, newspaper clippings, archival material and film, to contextualise his work and give a sense of how ‘working’ banners are made and used by campaigning groups today. The exhibition features a film based on the enormous March 26 demonstration against government cuts. Many of Ed’s banners were carried on this march. The Peoples History Museum also holds many of the great silk woven banners made for the trade unions by the firm of George Tutill, banners from the atelier of the suffragettes and the emerging political groupings that led to the modern political parties. The tradition of banner making is alive and well and a unique part of British trade union life. Ed Hall has made some 400 banners since his times with Lambeth Council as a Unison branch secretary to the present day. Ed Hall explains that many of the trade union banners ON THE MARCH: (left to right ) RMT Manchester Victoria branch Chris Latham, Ed Hall, RMT president Alex Gordon and RMT Council of Executives, Manchester & North West member Craig Johnston The Banner Man: Ed Hall shares the secrets of banner-making in an exclusive interview for RMTv at rmtv.org.uk ON THE MARCH An exhibition of the work of banner maker Ed Hall has opened at The Peoples History Museum in Manchester which runs from May until October 30 2011