On Saturday 27th June, Sandwell Advocacy held a stall at the Women Chainmakers Festival at Mary Macarthur Gardens in Cradley Heath.
History behind the Women Chainmakers (1910 Strike)
During the 19th and early 20th centuries, the Black Country (particularly Cradley Heath) was the epicentre of British chain making. While heavy chains were made in factories by men, smaller hand-hammered chains were produced by women working in small, cramped, and intensely hot forges attached to their homes.
These women were victims of “sweated” labour. Earning a mere 2.5 pence per hour—barely enough to survive—many worked 12-hour days. In 1910, following the passing of the Trade Boards Act, employers attempted to coerce the women into signing agreements accepting old, unliveable rates. Led by iconic trade unionist Mary Macarthur, Secretary of the National Federation of Women Workers, roughly 800 women launched a strike for ten weeks. They successfully fought for a legally mandated minimum wage, transforming their notoriously poor working conditions.
Festival Higlights
Today, the annual Chainmakers Festival celebrates this pivotal moment and it was a pleasure to be part of such a local, historically important event and to speak with the local community.
Katie and Sharon spoke with lots of attendees about our services and the support the Sandwell Advocacy offers to the residents of Sandwell, from supporting young people, to young carers, parents with learning disabilities and support around housing advocacy for those over 55+ with a health condition. Also speaking with people about our Telephone Befriending service, raising awareness of referral criteria and volunteering opportunities.
Our Sandwell Advocacy team also visited the other stalls to find out about other services and support in Sandwell, this included different unions, local produce and crafts, as well as the Mary Macarthur Holiday Trust. They also enjoyed music from the samba band and choir that were in attendance.
