Lunchtime Talk: ‘Everybody Out! Industrial action in Oxford between the wars’
13 May @ 1.00pm to 2.00pm
About Lunchtime Talk: ‘Everybody Out! Industrial action in Oxford between the wars’
The UK General Strike of May 1926 had a profound impact on the entire country. For nine days, nearly three million trade unionists went on strike in sympathy with nearly a million miners, whose employers had locked them out because they would not accept steep pay cuts and a longer working day.
Britain had never seen this level of mass action before, and the ripples of discontent would stretch out to Oxford: a town which in the 1920s and 30s was experiencing tumultuous industrial, cultural and social change.
Join Maurice East to discover the history of how trade unionism and working-class political activism arrived in the city of dreaming spires.
Complimentary tea and coffee will be available to enjoy during the talk. We recommend arriving before the start of the talk if you would like to grab a refreshment.
Maurice East is a local historian who was born and raised in Oxford. He interprets the social history of the city through the lens of growing up as a ‘townie’ and shines a spotlight on stories far off the usual tourist trail. His main area of research is the history of car making at Cowley and how the arrival of industry, cars and blue-collar workers changed Oxford forever in the early twentieth century.
Access
There is step-free, level entry access to the Town Hall via the entrance closest to Carfax Tower (to the left of the main steps as you face the Town Hall). Inside the Museum, Museum Makers is accessible via a platform lift to the Galleries and then a lift to the basement.
Photo consent
Please be aware that photographs will be taken at this event for use in marketing. If you (or a member of your group) would prefer not to be photographed, please let a member of staff know during the event.
Tickets
Please see important booking information below.
Booking information
Ticket prices:
Tickets cost £6.00 and are available online via Plinth or at the Museum shop.
Tickets for this event also include access to the Galleries.
Sales from tickets help support MOX’s work to deliver fun and accessible family activities, community engagement projects, school workshops, exhibitions and special events for Oxford’s people in the Museum spaces.
Dates & times:
Wednesday 13 May 2026 at 1.00pm
Running time:
1 hour
About Museum of Oxford
The Museum of Oxford is the only museum dedicated to telling the story of Oxford and its people. Located inside the Oxford Town Hall, it explores the city’s rich history beyond the university, focusing on the lives, industries, and communities that have shaped Oxford over time.
The museum features interactive exhibits, local artefacts, and personal stories, covering topics such as Oxford’s medieval origins, its diverse communities, and key moments in its development. It also hosts temporary exhibitions, events, and activities for all ages.
