Catalogue Number
NBS I/D 423
Object Name
banner
Title
WIGAN AND DISTRICT - COTTON OPERATIVES - Unity Is Strength.
Place
Wigan & Lancashire & England & UK
Date
1925-30?
Creator(s)
NBS National Museum of Labour HistoryNBS National Museum of Labour History
Description
Images on Front
Clasped hands in centre, below which to either side are red roses with foliage.
Images on Back
None
Notes
Image: Copyright & courtesy of National Museum of Labour History. Copying of images is strictly prohibited.
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2012 Display Label:
Wigan and District Cotton Operatives banner, about 1925-1930 [According to Images of Labour]
The Wigan and District Cotton Operative was formed in 1829, but was not registered until 1865. This delay was due to the difficulties the workers had getting their employers to officially recognise the union.
This banner was made around 1925-1930, at a time when the industry ran 700,000 power looms. As the industry declined the union went out of existence in 1974, with its remaining members transferring to the Bolton and District Textile Allied Workers Union, which was renamed as the Amalgamated Textile Workers Union in 1975.
The banner design features the red rose of Lancashire. It also has the image of two clasped hands, which is commonly used on trade union banners as a sign of unity.
Materials: Ground of ivory coloured, flower-sprig brocade woven cotton and rayon fabric. Rayon was one of the earliest manmade textile fibres, first produced in 1889. Side edge facing and lining of crimson cotton and rayon pomegranate design brocade set with warp running across width of banner. Fringe of yellow rayon. Decoration probably painted with water based paints.
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The handshake of unity and the red rose of Lancashire adorn this banner which dates from between 1925-30.
The union was founded in 1829, and registered as a Friendly Society in 1865. The long delay was the result of a bitter struggle against employers for union recognition. The union went out of existence in 1974 when the remaining members transferred to the Amalgamated Textile Workers' Union.
Materials: Probably water-based paint on cotton and rayon brocade.
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