| Description | This collection consists of books by Chris Searle, his author files and correspondence, reviews and posters and display material.
CATALOGUE STATUS: This collection is currently uncatalogued, consisting of 7 deposits as summarised/listed. Access is by appointment. Please contact staff.
Accession reference TH/9541:
Books, documents and posters. Includes Stepney Words legal case:
Box 1: Publications by Chris Searle:
'Isaac Rosenberg: Glimpses of a Plan Terrific' by Christopher R. Searle, B.A. Theisis submitted to Faculty of Graduate Studies, McMaster University. August 1967. Typescript 1 volume
'Red Earth'. 'Poems' by Chris Searle. 1980. The Journeyman Press
'Ngunga's Adventures. A Story of Angola by Pepetela. 1988. Anvil Press
'Ngunga's Adventures. A Story of Angola by Pepetela. Illustrated by Steve Lee. 1980. Young World Books
'Poilu'. 'A novel' by Chris Searle. 1971. Workshop Press
'The Black Man of Shadwell' 'four stories by Chris Searle'. 1976. Writers and Readers Publishing Cooperative
'Common Ground'. Poetry by Chris Searle dedicated to 'the people of free and revolutionary Grenada, and their vanguard party, the New Jewel Movement'. 1983. Artery
'Doodlebug Boy'. Poems by Chris Searle. 2011. Pelican Press, Sheffield
'Lightning of Your Eyes'. 'New and selected poems'. 2006. Smokestack Books. Includes two letters - from Bob Dixon and Norman Hidden, 2006 [CLOSED] and press article interview
'Red Groove' by Chris Searle. 2013. Five Leaves Publications
'Forward Groove. Jazz and the Real World from Louis Armstrong to Gilad Atzmon'. 2008. Northway Publications
'Pitch of Life. Writings on Cricket' by Chris Searle with a forward by Mike Marqusee. 2001. The Parrs Wood Press [AT RISK FROM HANDLING: first pages stuck together]
'Mainland' by Chris Searle. 'Signature 22'. 1974. Calder and Boyars Limited
[Note: other titles by Searle / some reference copies are in Local History Library:
None But Our Words (Spanning Two Languages)
Our City
Stepney Words III
Isaac and I
Whitechapel Boy]
Box 2:
'Stepney Words' legal case:
Transcripts of hearings Inner London Education Authority Staff Appeals Committee, June 1972. 1 file [CLOSED]
'Sir John Cass's Foundation and Red Coat Church of England Secondary School. Inquiry. Transcript of Proceedings of the Special Meeting of the Governing Body held at 31 Jewry Street' on 28-29 February and 3 March 1972. Stamped 'private and confidential'. 1 volume [CLOSED]
'Stepney Words'. Reality Press. The first edition of publication with poetry by the children.
Newspaper cuttings (loose)
Copy photograph on paper (made in 2010s) of the children marching [original source unknown]
Box 3:
'Stepney Words' legal case:
Papers and documents in the High Court, 1971-1972. Copies of High Court of Justice: Queen's Bench Division court papers including correspondence with Inner London Education Authority, National Union of Teachers and others. 1 large file [CLOSED]
Box 4: Subject files as follows:
1:
'They Shall Not Pass' Tower Hamlets Movement Against Racism and Facism. 1974-1977. 1 file
2:
'Langdon Park School' 1970s. 1 file. Contains three publications:
-'The People Marching On. A History of East London 1860-1940' local history poetry anthology. 1975.
-'Who Killed Michael Ferreira?' c1978
-'Moonlight. A play by Paul Parris and Sean Warren
-also original poems by Langdon Park School student in support of 'George Davis is Innocent' campaign, after assembly given by Ms Davis and Peter Chappell, October 1975
3:
'Stepney Words'. 1 file:
- first edition
- second edition 'I & II'
- 'Poetry International 1972' programme which 'Stepney Words' poets took part
- newspaper cuttings
- 'Your'e a Poet' E.1 Festival flyer
4:
'Elders'. 1973. 1 file of 3 items:
Reality Press, Stepney. Containing:
-Publication, July 1973 featuring Ron McCormick's mother
-Poster
-Card
5:
'Basement Writers'. 1974. 1 file
The Basement Writers based at Town Hall, Cable Street, Stepney.
- Newspaper cuttings including 'The Socialist'
6:
'Basement Writers, Stepney'. 1970s-1993. 1 file
The Basement Writers based at Town Hall, Cable Street, Stepney.
Contains a flyer 'Local Poetry' 1970s (two versions) and
Publications:
-'Pictures of the Thirties'. 'A Poem by Arthur Clegg'. 1975. Reality Press
-'Mendoza For Ever'. 'A Play by Chris Searle'. 1974. The Basement Writers
-'Bed Written'. 'Poems by Debbie Carnegie'. 1974. The Basement Writers
-'Living in the city...a songbook by Dave Swift'. 1975. The Basement Writers
-'Sometimes you can hear the birds sing. Poems by Leslie Mildiner'. 1976. The Basement Writers
-'Ink-Slinging' 'Poems by Alan Gilbey'. 1976. The Basement Writers
-'Moments of Madness. Moments of Gladness'. 'A collection of poems by Terry Galdes'. 1975. Reality Press. With press cutting
-'Follow Me'. 'Poems by John Schroder'. 1974. The Basement Writers
-'He dont know 'a' from a bulls foot. Cockney slang of the thirties'. By Jim Wolveridge. 1978. The Basement Writers
-'The Boxer Speaks'. 'Odes and Poems' by Stephen Hicks. 1974. The Basement Writers
-'Story of a Stepney Boy. Poems by Andy Strowman'. 1970s. Reality Press
-'Never Had It So Good' 'Poems by Tony Harcup. 1974. The Basement Writers
-'Breaking Through. Poems by Gladys McGee'. 1975. The Basement Writers
'Joined Up Writing. New poetry and prose from The Basement Writers'. 1990. The Basement Writers. With 'Advance Information' sheet and letter from 'Sean' from his personal address relating to text for launch party [last item CLOSED]
'XX Years in the Basement. An anthology of writing from The Basement Writers in celebration of their 20th anniversary'. 1993. The Basement Writers. With letter from Sally Flood who wrote the introduction
7:
'Art Against Racism and Facism'. 1970s-1980s. 1 file
Based at Half Moon Theatre, Alie Street
Event flyers and correspondence.
8:
'Campaign Against Heliport in East London Docks'. 1971. 1 file of 3 documents
Flyer for Rally, Shadwell Park, 21 November (two copies)
Photocopy newspaper article 'School poets fight heliport
9: 'Blair Peach'. 1999
Contains 'One for Blair. An Anthology of Poems for Young People' publication 1989 Young World Books - with papers enclosed; 'Say it Loud' by Phoenix Secondary and Primary School, 49 Bow Road, 1999 and 'Blair Peach Lives! Conference on antiracist education' organised by Goldsmiths College and Lewisham National Union of Teachers (NUT), 6 February 1999: conference poster and programme, 1999; cutting photocopy of 1974 'Morning Star'
Box 5: Poetry and story anthologies
'Beyond the Skin. How Mozambique is Defeating Racism'. 1979. Liberation
'Bricklight. Poems from the Labour Movement in East London. Edited and introduced by Chris Searle. 1980. Pluto Press in association with The National Museum of Labour History
'Callaloo. Four Writers from Grenada'. 1984. Liberation, Young World Books
'Children of Steel. A Sheffield Anthology'. 1988. Write Back, Sheffield City Libraries
'Cosmopolis, Toronto. Students' Stories of School and Childhood from York University'. Edited by Chris Searle. 2007. Atkinson Faculty of Liberal and Professional Studies, York University
'Ferndale Fires. A Children's Story'. 1974. Reality Press
'Fire Words' 'Compiled by Chris Searle'. 1972. Jonathan Cape Limited
'Freedom Children'. 1990. Sheffield City Council
'Hackney: The Borough of Life. Poems and illustrations by children from Gayhurst Primary School'. 2001. Hackney Council. With thank you printed notw
'Heart of Sheffield. Writings by students of Earl Marshal School. 1995. Earl Marshal School
'Lives of Love and Hope'. A Sheffield Herstory. 1993. Earl Marshal School
'Mandela Manchester. A collection of poems written by Manchester school children'. 2009. Printed by Pelican Press. Published by Ahmed Iqbal Ullah Education Trust
'One for Blair. An Anthology of Poems for Young People'. 1989. Young World Books
'Our City. A collection of poems by London school students'. Edited by Chris Searle. Introduction by Ngugi wa Thiong'o. 1984. Young World Books. Signed copy by Ngugi wa Thiong'o
'Remember Hillsborough'. 1990. Archive Publications Limited
'School of the World. Writings from Earl Marshal School, Sheffield'. 1994. Earl Marshal School
'Tales of Mozambique'. 1990 edition. Young World Books
'The Sunflower of Hope. Poems from the Mozambican Revolution'. Edited and translated by Chris Searle. 1982. Alison and Busby
'They Shall Not Pass'. 1975. Reality Press
'Toronto Generations. An anthology of stories written by York University students'. Co-edited by Chris Searle and Kristin Taylor. 2008. Atkinson Faculty of Liberal and Professional Studies, York University
'Valley of Words'. 1992. Earl Marshal School
Box 6: Books on education, as follows:
'A Blindfold Removed. Ethiopia's Struggle for Literacy' by Chris Searle. 1991. Karia Press and Young World Books
'An Exclusive Education. Race, class and exclusion in British schools' by Chris Searle. 2001. Lawrence and Wishart
'All Our Words' by Chris Searle. 1986. Young World Books
'Chris Searle the great includer'. October 2009. Race and Class Volume 51 Number 2. Articles on his 65th birthday
'Classrooms of Resistance'. Compiled by Chris Searle. 1975. Writers and Readers Publishing Cooperative. Hardback and softback versions (2 volumes)
'Global Aggression. The consistent pattern of United States Foreign Policy' by Tony Gilbert and Chris Searle. 1984. Liberation
'Grenada. Education is A Must' by Maurice Bishop and Chris Searle. 1981. Education Committee of British-Grenadian Friendship Society
'Grenada. Let those who labour hold the reins. Interview with Bernard Coard of the Revolutionary Government of Grenada by Chris Searle. 1979. Liberation and Race and Class
'Grenada Morning. A Memoir of the 'Revo'. 1989. Karia Press. Hardback [missing dustjacket] and softback versions (2 volumes)
'Grenada. The struggle against destabilization' by Chris Searle. c1983. Writers and Readers Publishing Cooperative Society Limited
'Living Community, Living School. Essays on Education in British inner cities'' by Chris Searle. 1997. The Tufnell Press
'Mein Lehrer ist wie ein Panzer. Texte englischer Albeiterkinder Zur Schule im Kapitalismus'. 1975. Basis Verlag. In German
'Outcast England. How Schools exclude Black Children' By Jenny Bourne, Lee Bridges and Chris Searle. 1994. Institute of Race Relations
'None but our words. Critical literacy in classroom and community'. By Chris Searle. 1998. Open University Press
'The Forsaken Lover. White words and black people' by Chris Searle. 1972. Routledge and Kegan Paul Limited
'The Forsaken Lover. White words and black people' by Chris Searle. 1973. Penguin Books. With 'news from Penguin' release sheet
'The World in a Classroom'. Compiled by Chris Searle. 1977. Writers and Readers Publishing Cooperative. Hardback and softback versions (2 volumes)
'This New Season. Our Class, Our Schools, Our Word. Open Forum'. By Chris Searle. 1973. Calder and Boyars Limited. Hardback and softback versions (2 volumes)
'We're Building The New School! Diary of a Teacher in Mozambique. By Chris Searle. 1981. Zed Press
'Words Unchained. Language and Revolution in Grenada'. By Chris Searle. 1984. Zed Books Limited
'Your daily dose: racism and The Sun'. By Chris Searle. 1989. Campaign for Press and Broadcasting Freedom
7: Box file
'Stepney Words' press cuttings, 1971-1973. 1 file - AT RISK FROM HANDLING
8: Box file [this was an accrual received 10/07/2019]
'Stepney Words 1971 + Press Cuttings and Reviews': cuttings relating to the 1971 Stepney School Strike. Includes some photograph/s and printed material. 1970s - AT RISK FROM HANDLING
9: amalgamated roll of posters consisting of three rolls/categories. AT RISK FROM HANDLING: Please ask staff for access to digitisation folder/archives/P/Uncatalogued/TH/9541/9:
9/1:
Tower Hamlets Movement Against Racism and Facism posters - 2 posters
1/1: 'They Shall Not Pass! A Poetry Reading at The Half Moon Theatre, 27 Alie Street, 7 November [1976]
1/2: 'Public Bars Not Colour Bars', 'Picket the Railway Tavern, Grove Road', 13 December [1970s]
9/2:
Wall posters (general collected posters): 9 posters as follows:
2/1: 'Welcome Home Jacko' by Mustapha Matura. Play first produced by the Black Theatre Co-operative. Theatre Royal Stratford East, Gerry Raffles Square, Stratford, Newham. 15 March - 16 April. With children's drawings and notes on reverse - 'to Danielle', 'to Kay' etc
2/2: '1381 The Peasants Revolt' by Jeff Perks. 1981. Published by the Tower Hamlets Arts Project and printed by the Journeyman Press
2/3: 'International Women's Week 1986'. Hackney Race Relations Unit in conjunction with the Greater London Council Ethnic Minorities Unit and the Black and Ethnic Minority Women's Forum. 8-16 March 1986. Featuring photographic image of Angela Y. Davis
2/4: 'South Africa and Tower Hamlets'. 'Bethnal Green and Stepney Trades Council contribution to TUC Week of Action Against Apartheid'. 30 October - 4 November [1980s]
2/5: 'Anti Racist Meeting'. 'Meet the men who climbed Nelsons Column..Meet Dulcie September - a victim of Apartheid, and a film', 30 October [1980s]. Film Hall
2/6:'All the Fun of the Fair' presented by 7:84 Theatre Company England. Half Moon Theatre, 213 Mile End Road. 26 March - 12 April [1980s]
2/7: 'Days of Solidarity'. Oxford House, Derbyshire Street, Bethnal Green. 20 February [1970s-1980s]
2/8: 'Sus' by Barrie Keeffe presented by 7:84 Theatre Company England. Half Moon Theatre, 27 Alie Street. 21-26 April 1980
2/9: 'Peasants Revolt Festival 1381 1981'. Sideshows Theatre Music. Mile End Grass, Burdett Road ('behind the Aunt Sally pub'), 13 June 1981. Published by Tower Hamlets 1981 Committee
9/3:
Blair Peach Conference 1999 - 1 poster
'Blair Peach Lives! Conference on antiracist education' organised by Goldsmiths College and Lewisham National Union of Teachers (NUT), 6 February 1999
10: portfolio display items:
Includes posters for The Basement Writers poetry events, Half Moon Theatre, 'Up the Dicks' comic by Alan Gilbey, Black Words poster, display photographs of Black school children linking [?] to 'Ferndale Fires', 'Classrooms of Resistance' book jacket proof/poster, 'Stepney Words 2' publication 1971 Reality Press, Newspaper Bill Poster on Stepney School Strike 1971
11-14: 4 archive boxes of cuttings of book reviews by Chris Searle [these were an accrual received 17/07/2019]: as follows:
11:
Book Reviews 1990s-2000s 1 file. In wallets
Book Reviews 1990s-2000s 1 file. In wallets
12:
Book Reviews 1990s-2000s 1 file. In wallets
Book Reviews 1986-1989 1 volume
Book Reviews 1994-1998 1 volume
13:
Book Reviews 1989-1994 1 volume
Book Reviews 1990s-2000s 1 file. In wallets
14:
Book Reviews 1990s-2000s 1 file. In wallets
Book Reviews 1990s-2000s 1 file. In wallets
Accession reference TH/9921:
Published books, pamphlets and articles by Searle. With some press advertisements enclosed.
As follows:
TITLE YEAR SUBJECT
TH/9921, Box 1
Stepney Words 1 and 2 1973 East London's Children's Poetry
Moonlight: Paul Parris and Sean Warren 1980 East London Children's Play
Literacy in Ethiopia 1989 Sheffield pamphlet
Drinking from The Pot 1990 Yemeni Community in Sheffield
Your Daily Dose: Racism and 'The Sun' 1989 Tabloid racism
The People Marching On 1976 Poplar Children's Poetry
Who Killed Michael Ferreira? 1979 Poplar Children's Play
They Shall Not Pass 1975 Stepney poetry celebrating Cable Street 1936
Ngunga's Adventures by Pepeteta 1980 Translation: C.Searle; Angolan young people's novel
One for Blair, edited Chris Searle 1989 Poetry anthology memorial to Blair Peach
Our City, edited Chris Searle 1984 London poetry anthology
Callaloo, edited Chris Searle 1984 Grenada Anthology, drawings Dan Jones
All Our Words 1986 On language
Red Earth 1980 Poems, Chris Searle
Lightening of Your Eyes 2006 Poems, Chris Searle, with interview, press copy 2006
Doodlebug Boy 2011 Poems, Chris Searle
Mandela, Manchester 2008 Manchester children's poems
Children of Steel 1989 Sheffield children's poems
Freedom Children 1990 Sheffield children's poems for South Africa
Remember Hillsborough 1990 Sheffield memorial anthology
Wheel Around The World 1983 Children's poetry anthology
Grenada: Let those who Labour Hold the Reins 1980 Interview with Bernard Coard
Grenada: The Struggle against Destabilisation 1983 Caribbean politics
In The Spirit of Butler 1982 Trade Unionism in revolutionary Grenada
To Construct from Morning 1982 The Budget Process in Grenada
Is Freedom We Making 1982 Democracy in revolutionary Grenada
Grenada is Not Alone 1982 International solidarity with Grenada
In The Mainstream of The Revolution 1982 The Revolution in Carriacou/Petit Martinique
Words Unchained 1984 Language in revolutionary Grenada
TH/9921, Box 2
In Nobody's Backyard 1984 Maurice Bishop's speeches, edited by Chris Searle
Grenada Morning 1989 Memoir of Grenadian revolution
Common Ground 1983 Poems, Chris Searle
Tales of Mozambique 1980 Fables from Mozambique, translated by Chris Searle
Hackney - The Borough of Life 2001 Children's poetry anthology
'Strong in The Minds' 2009 Mohawk Children's Poetry, Canada
Chris Searle - 'The Great Includer' 2009 Feschrift to Chris Searle, Race and Class
Pitch of Life 2001 On cricket
Global Aggression, with Tony Gilbert 1984 United States of America Foreign Policy
'Footprints' - poems by Peter Blackman 2013 Chris Searle editor
'Poilu' 1971 Chris Searle's only novel
Fire Words 1972 National Children's poetry anthology
Cosmopolis, Toronto 2007 Toronto student anthology, Chris Searle editor
Toronto Generations 2008 Toronto Student anthology Chris Searle editor
TH/9921, Box 3
On 'Mandela Manchester' Forum, Volume 51, Number 2 2009 Article on 'Mandela Manchester'
We're Building the New School 1981 On education in revolutionary Mozambique
The Sunflower of Hope 1982 Poetry anthology of Mozambique: Chris Searle, editor and translator
Beyond The Skin 1979 Mozambique fighting racism
An Exclusive Education 2001 Against exclusion in schools
Living Community, Living School 1997 On education
A Blindfold Removed 1991 Literacy in Ethiopia
The Forsaken Lover (Hardback and Penguin paperback, with News Sheet Martin Luther King Prize 1973) 1972 On language, Colonial racism; Winner of Martin Luther King Award 1972
Forward Groove 2008 Jazz and the real world
Red Groove 2013 Jazz writings from 'Morning Star'
TH/9921, Box 4
School of The World 1994 Anthology of student writing from Earl Marshal School, Sheffield. Edited by Chris Searle
Valley of Words 1992 Anthology of student writing from Earl Marshal School, Sheffield. Edited by Chris Searle
Lives of Love and Hope 1993 Anthology of student writing from Earl Marshal School, Sheffield. Edited by Chris Searle
Heart of Sheffield 1994 Anthology of student writing from Earl Marshal School, Sheffield. Edited by Chris Searle
Writ on Cold Slate: Poems by Sylvia Pankhurst 2021 (reprinted) Edited with introduction by Chris Searle. Inspired by Tower Hamlets Local History Library and Archives collections in 1974
Whitechapel Boy 2018 A Study of Poetry of Isaac Rosenberg, with Ron McCormick's photographs
Stepney Words III 2017 Tower Hamlets Children's Poems, with Ron McCormick's photographs
'Never Had It So Good' poems by Tony Harcup 1973 Works by the Basement Writers
'The Boxer Speaks' poems by Stephen Hicks. 1973 Works by the Basement Writers
'Follow Me'poems by John Schroder 1973 Works by the Basement Writers
'Bed Written' poems by Debbie Carnegie. With two advertisements 1974 Works by the Basement Writers
'Moments of Madness' poems by Terry Galdes 1975 Works by the Basement Writers
'Breaking Through' poems by Gladys McGee 1975 Works by the Basement Writers
'Living in The City'; songbook by Dave Swift 1975 Works by the Basement Writers
The Basement Writers' Poetry Show 1975 Works by the Basement Writers
Poems of A Stepney Boy; poems by Andrew Strowman 1975 Works by the Basement Writers
Mendoza For Ever 1975 " A play by Chris Searle
Holberrys (Written) 1993 Unpublished play about Sheffield Chartists
Ngunga's Adventures: A Story of Angola by Pepeteta 1988 Second edition
Accession reference TH/10172:
His author files, containing agreements, correspondence, printed material and press cuttings as follows (each is one file, the dates below are publication date, the file dates are wider ranges):
Box 1:
'Stepney Words' 1971 [contains personal data - restricted items have been separated into a separate folder and markers put their in places]
'Poilu' (novel) 1971
'Elders' 1972
'Fire Words' 1972
'The Forsaken Lover: White Words and Black People' 1972
'Mainland: Poems' 1973
'This New Season' 1973
'The Black Man of Shadwell' 1976
'Classrooms of Resistance' 1976 (2 files)
'The World in a Classroom' 1977
Box 2:
Author files as follows (continued):
'All Our Words' 1986
'A Blindfold Removed (Ethiopean Literacy Campaign), 1991
'None But Our Words: Critical Literacy in Classroom and Community', 1998
'Forward Groove. Jazz and the Real World', 2008
Campaigns/events organised by Searle:
Blair Beach: 'Say it loud: poems in memory of Blair Peach by the children of Phoenix Secondary and Primary School, 1999; 'Blair Peach Lives!' Goldsmiths College University conference leaflet - 'Chris Searle: Tribute to Blair', 1999; two copy articles
Published books as follows:
'Isaac and I: A Life in Poetry' by Chris Searle, revised edition 2021. Published by Five Leaves Publications. First published 2017. Autobiography
'Over Eagle Pond: Poems by Chris Searle'. With drawings by Martin Gollan. Published by Culture Matters, 2021
Accession reference TH/10481:
Published books by Chris Searle:
'This World is in Our Words'. Introduced by Sheila Rowbotham. Published by Five Leaves Publications, 2022
'Holberrys. A Play for Sheffield and Newport'. Published by Culture Matters, 2023
Accession reference TH/10511:
Published books by Chris Searle:
'Talking the groove. Jazz words from the Morning Star'. Jazz in Britain Limited. 1 volume
'Talking the groove. Jazz against racism': '2 CDs of previously unreleased material to accompany Chris Searle's book of Jazz words from the Morning Star'. 1 CD pack
Accession reference TH/10724:
'Global Groove: Word of a Jazz Cosmos'
Paperback. Author: Chris Searle. Compiled and edited by John Thurlow. Published by Jazz in Britain Limited. 2026
Accession reference TH/10736:
Jazz review files, 2000-2025. In boxes as follows:
Box 1: 2000-2003
Box 2: 2004-2009
Box 3: 2001-2009
Box 4: 2010-2011
Box 5: 2012-2015
Box 6: 2015-2019
Box 7: 2019-2025
Also posters mainly for Half Moon Theatre and an event card which relates to the poster for 2023, 1972-2023. As follows:
Entries below record:
Number of poster
Title Description: What, where, when
Poster artwork/designed by
Year
Notes on Chris Searle's involvement
Access note: Please consult digital photograph copies of these original posters and postcard invite. Please ask staff for access to digitisation folder/archives/P/Uncatalogued/TH_10736
1 'Poetry International 72' Institute of Contemporary Arts (ICA) 19-22 June 1972
Queen Elizabeth Hall (QEH) 23-24 June 1972
Featuring performances from Judi Dench; Germaine Greer; Seamus Heaney; Glenda Jackson; Christopher Searle and Janet Suzman, and artwork by Sidney Nolan (Australian artist).
Details from ICA; QEH and the Poetry Book Society.
Designed and Produced by Sherival
1972 Chris Searle (teacher, Sir John Cass School). Event included children from Sir John Cass School reading from 'Stepney Words'
2 'The Moving Left Show' Line-ups include Mike Westbrook and band; Lol Coxhill; Derek Bailey; Evan Parker; Paul Rutherford; John Stevens; Ann Mitchell; Frankie Armstrong; Dominic Behan and Chris Searle;
The Funkees; Rococo; Shakin' Stevens and the Sunsets
Sponsored by the Communist Party
11 April at the Round House, Chalk Farm tube, tickets £1.30 Creche available
Chris Searle, poet
3 'Soft or a Girl' Half Moon Theatre, 27 Alie Street
A musical Comedy by John McGrath. Tuesday to Saturday; Tickets 80p; 12t May for at least six weeks 1975 Chris Searle was on the Management Committee of Half Moon Theatre
4 'George Davis is Innocent OK' 'George Davis Is Innocent OK' Play about George Davis who was imprisoned for crime he did not commit via 'a police stitch-up'
Half Moon Theatre, 27 Alie Street
Tuesday to Saturday October 10 till November 8 c1975-1976 Chris Searle was on the Management Committee of Half Moon Theatre.
5 '20 Years George Davis' Play about George Davis who was 'imprisoned for twenty years' for a crime he did not commit, via 'a police stitch-up', including five police witnesses. 'Thirty four other witnesses failed to identify him despite an alibi and the evidence of friends who saw him at the time of the robbery
'
c1975-1976 Chris Searle was on the Management Committee of Half Moon Theatre
6 'Female Transport' Play by Steve Gooch about women who were transported to Australia for petty crimes
Half Moon Theatre, 27 Alie Street
Tuesday to Sunday 15 November - 8 December 1974 Chris Searle was on the Management Committee of Half Moon Theatre
7 'United We Stand' Poetry readings and music relating to miners' strike against the Heath Government
Half Moon Theatre, 27 Alie Street, 22 April
From the Trade Union and Labour Movement linked with Exhibition by Artists' Movement Congress House Chris Searle was on the Management Committee of Half Moon Theatre
8 'Free Desmond Trotter' Solidarity movement/ Campaign in response to his arrest in Dominica
Half Moon Theatre, 27 Alie Street, 10 July
'Steel and Skin' (Andrew Salkey)
Film Poetry Music c.1974 Chris Searle was on the Management Committee of Half Moon Theatre
9 'Isaac Rosenberg. A Celebration of his Poetry' Readings by three authors who had written biographies of Rosenberg and readings from Rosenberg's poetry
Half Moon Theatre, 27 Alie Street
26 October 1976
Poster designed by Alan Gilbey 1976 Chris Searle was on the Management Committee of Half Moon Theatre
10 'They Shall Not Pass' Poetry reading to celebrate the East Enders' victory over fascism - October 1936
Half Moon Theatre, 27 Alie Street, 4 November
1976 Chris Searle was on the Management Committee of Half Moon Theatre
11 'Free the Two!' An Evening of Music and Poetry in Support of The Shrewsbury Building Workers, imprisoned for trade union activity [Ricky Tomlinson who played Jim Royle in the Royle Family was one of them]
Half Moon Theatre, 27 Alie Street, 22 June
c1976 Chris Searle was on the Management Committee of Half Moon Theatre
12 'Black Words' A Benefit for Tony Soares and Grass Roots
Poetry 8 October Half Moon Theatre, 27 Alie Street, featuring
Mustafa Matura; John La Rose; Andrew Salkey; Jamal Ali; Tony Soares; Third World Troubadours
.and others
Poster featuring photograph by Ron McCormick of Black children in a doorway in Princelet Street, Spitalfields
Chris Searle was on the Management Committee of Half Moon Theatre
13 'Elders Poetry at The Half Moon' Benefit Poetry Readings held to draw attention to low pensions, raising around £700 for London Trade Union and Old Age Pensions Committee
3 December
Half Moon Theatre, 27 Alie Street
Poster featuring photograph by Ron McCormick of his grandmother
Chris Searle was on the Management Committee of Half Moon Theatre
14 'Stepney Words and Cockney Rebels'
Celebrating working-class 1970s East End writing;
7 October, line-up including:
Black History Bike Ride.
Michael Rosen in Conversation with Chris Searle;
Basement Writers 50th Anniversary Celebration;
Creative Writing Workshops.
1970s Archive/Film and Brick Lane Bookshop
Oxford House
Poster designed by Alan Gilbey
Also event card 2023 Chris Searle commemorating 'Stepney Words'
15 'Mandela, Manchester' Anthology of Manchester children's poems
Sponsored by Manchester 2024 (University of Manchester) and Ahmed Iqbal Ullah Education Trust.
Published by Ahmed Iqbal Ullah Education Trust C2008 Chris Searle was Director of Ahmed Iqbal Ullah project, Manchester University |
| AdminHistory | Born in 1944, Romford, Chris Searle (Christopher Richard Searle) was the school teacher at the centre of Stepney School Strike 1971 at Sir John Cass Foundation School, Stepney following publication of children's poetry in 'Stepney Words'. The children striked when Searle was dismissed by the school's governors. At the time he was living at 22a Albert Gardens (in 1972). He later moved to Sheffield before returning to the London area.
As well his contribution to education internationally, he is an author, poet, Jazz reviewer and anti-racist activist. He was also on the Management Committee of the Half Moon Theatre and Director of Ahmed Iqbal Ullah project, Manchester University.
For further details about Stepney School Strike see: https://spitalfieldslife.com/2021/05/28/fifty-years-since-the-stepney-school-strike/ |