Sunday 25th February 2024 6.30pm - The Rupert Street Revolt and the Poor Law in Leicester

Ned Newitt This talk will trace the history of the Poor Law in Leicester from the 1830s to the unemployed demonstrations of 1921. It looks at the prevailing social attitudes of the time and the regime in Leicester’s workhouse. The riotous scenes that happened in 1921 were just one of the many skirmishes that ultimately paved the way for the Welfare State   Ned was born in Southend-on-Sea in 1946. He studied at Cardiff College of Art and came to Leicester in 1971. From 1984-2003, he was a Leicester City Councillor. He is a long standing member of the Society and is the current Chair.   Ned has written several books, most relating to the history of Leicester, including -   The Secular Hall - A History The Anthology of Leicester Chartist Song, Poetry & Verse  The Slums of Leicester  My London Bomb Squad: An Eye Witness Account of Bomb Disposal During the London Blitz A People's History of Leicester Leicester's Victorian Infidels: A History of Rationalism & Secularism in Leicester 1830-1867   All welcome - admission free . Tea & biscuits. Donations welcome.