We decided to show this film and invite the local community in to tell us their stories about Village life - the turnout was incredible - for a few weeks I had posted invites through the doors in the village - put posters up - encouraged our post-office and shop (the only one in the village) to tell everyone about the event - as with all community events you never know how it will turn out. I visited the care home in the Village and invited the residents although many were very elderly and had dementia. I made sure they knew they were welcome.
On the morning of the 27th I collected our artist Daisy Howarth from Canvey Island but know lives in South London she has worked with Pelicci's in Bethnal Green and her work is full of love and humour for the people she loves - the working class (please follow her on Instagram her art work is incredible) Daisy was one of our artists in the 'The Lockdown Diaries of the Working Class' book (you can still order a copy of this)
Then had a cup of coffee in the small volunteer run cafe 50p doesnt get better than that. We then had a look at the names villagers had scratched into the walls on the sides of the terrace houses - they start as early as 1864 - working class leaving their mark - because thats all what we can do - our lives and our history are never told by us - which is why The Working Class Collective (us) are forcing spaces so we can tell them, collect them, and share them.
We had some funding from a local Labour Councillor and a local Conservative Councillor - we know our politics - our politics is about working class struggle not political partys.
The film went down well - we laughed and some cried - some of the elderly from the care home who had not spoken for months started talking - I can honestly say this was my most proud moment in being a sociologist. The other lot can have their titles, citations, and status - The Working Class Collective brought those stories back about Pit Ponies, about jobs done, about people who have gone - working class people whose lives rarely register anywhere.
Daisy will be creating art work to give back to the community, a local photographer Warren Tate will be documenting the village and our Lucy Morris will be using her skills as a print maker to document 'Bestwood Village' a Working Class Fantastic Space'
My last note is that the film 'Stand Up Nigel Barton' written by Dennis Potter - ended with the Animals - We Got to Get Out of This Place' -https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q3mgapAcVdU and we all sang it together - my love for our people our love for our people here at the working class collective - often takes us by suprise.
Work with us in telling your stories putting your own events on - we can help you.
