“This was a brilliant celebration of our history and heritage”, said Midlands TUC Regional Secretary Cheryl Pidgeon, “and vitally important as the Chainmakers’ is the only festival in the country to mark the achievement of women in an industrial dispute”.
The festival continues to attract senior figures from the trade union and labour movement, with both Christine Blower, General Secretary of the NUT, and Diana Holland, Assistant General Secretary of Unite, speaking on the stage. Deputy Speaker of the House of Commons, Sylvia Heal MP, was also present in her role as Patron of the festival.
With some 3,800 people attending this year’s festival, well up on the 3,000 who attended in both 2007 and 2008, Cheryl Pidgeon, Midlands TUC Regional Secretary and master of ceremonies on the stage said, “This festival is building nicely towards next year’s centenary festival. I am incredibly pleased that the trade union movement has taken the Women Chainmakers’ festival to its’ heart in this way and is supporting the celebration in ever increasing numbers”.
