In Workers’ rights, racism and extreme weather: Wales’ forgotten strike, published by Cwlwm, I explore how the long-forgotten Seaman’s Strike of 1911 intersects with my personal landscape of South Wales.
“There’s a small triangle of land on the brim of the ridge that defines Penarth. Its apex points towards the town’s high street; its base faces the steep drop to the edge of Cardiff Bay. Arcot Triangle, named for the street that splits in half to form it, is a pleasant patch of trees and flowers cared for by volunteers. . . Every time I pass Arcot Triangle, I think of Captain Tupper.
“Captain Edward Tupper V.C. was neither a captain nor a recipient of the Victoria Cross – although it suited his purposes to let people believe he was both. He arrived in Cardiff in May 1911 as an organiser for the National Sailors’ and Firemen’s Union (NSFU), which was on collision course with shipowners, as represented by the Shipping Federation. Read more.
Image: Captain Tupper speaking at Arcot Triangle (People’s Collection Wales)
Claire Boot 