The Life and Work of Menna Gallie

On the eightieth anniversary of the General Strike and lockout of 1926, Llafur, the Welsh People's History Society, held a day-school on the life and work of the celebrated author Menna Gallie (1920–1990) in her hometown of Ystradgynlais. Gallie's work has enjoyed a revival in interest following research into her life by the eminent historian Professor Angela V. John, a close friend, and the reissue of her most prominent novels by Honno, the Welsh women's publishing collective. The day-school was well attended by members of the society, historians, relatives of Menna Gallie, people from Ystradynlais, and people from outside the area who had an interest in Menna's life. This varied audience ensured that the day was a success and the contribution of people who remembered Menna made the occasion particularly special.

The anniversary of the General Strike and lockout proved a most fitting date for the event as Gallie's first novel, A Strike for a Kingdom (1959), is set against the backdrop of the events of 1926. Neil Evans, Llafur's Chair, in his opening address compared Llafur's commemoration of the General Strike in 2006 with its marking of the fiftieth anniversary in 1976. He noted that historians now approach the strike in a very different way and that fresh perspectives have enhanced our knowledge of the community's response to 1926. In particular, eighty years on, the role of women in the strike and lockout is given prominence and the importance of the female contribution has finally been recognized. The first paper highlighted these themes.

Sue Bruley's account of the miners' lockout conveyed how important it is for historians to consider the role of gender. She began by exploring the gender roles of men and women before assessing how these positions changed during 1926, and argued that in some ways men's and women's roles were transformed as they experienced the strike in very different ways. A subculture developed and while men defined their masculinity in new ways (for instance organizing soup kitchens and political meetings), women's sphere and role was broadened as they were relieved of the domestic burden of tending to the miners. Women became far more prominent in the public sphere; they were involved in demonstrations and political movements, and often led the campaign against strikebreakers.

Men and women were seen in public in a way previously unthinkable. Men and women completed duties and activities together, sometimes crossing the traditional boundaries that separated gender roles. There is evidence of men assisting at soup kitchens and, in the festival spirit that emerged in the summer, women joined in the games that were played. Such activities were certainly not seen before the strike, and the occurrence of a football match between men and women is further evidence of the erosion of gender barriers.

Bruley was careful not to overstate the significance of the analysis, pointing out that gender roles were only really transformed in the public sphere and only during the strike and lockout. In addition to this, it was only women without young families who were able to participate in public activities. Within the atmosphere of a class war there was little room for the advancement of the feminist cause and this was not something that the wives of the South Wales miners proposed. Ultimately, the end of the lockout saw the return of women to the domestic sphere. A fascinating discussion followed the paper and members of the audience gave their own perspective on events in 1926. In particular, the role of the chapels was discussed; and the debate was enriched by those with personal reminiscences of 1926.

Following a break for lunch, the afternoon session began with a viewing of rare footage of an interview with Menna Gallie carried out in 1985. The video added a poignant touch to the day and allowed the audience to witness Gallie reflecting upon her own life. Angela John then presented her paper on the life...