The fourth and final biographical programme produced by Trade Films, about the Lawther family of Chopwell in what was then County Durham. Marxist historian Ray Challinor sits down with surviving brothers Andy and Jack Lowther to discuss the expulsion of Harry Bolton and J. Jeffrey from the Durham Miners' Association for opposing a grant to Finnish Relief; the relationship between Will Lawther and Sam Watson; the Labour Victory in the 1945 general election; the record of the 1945-1951...

The fourth and final biographical programme produced by Trade Films, about the Lawther family of Chopwell in what was then County Durham. Marxist historian Ray Challinor sits down with surviving brothers Andy and Jack Lowther to discuss the expulsion of Harry Bolton and J. Jeffrey from the Durham Miners' Association for opposing a grant to Finnish Relief; the relationship between Will Lawther and Sam Watson; the Labour Victory in the 1945 general election; the record of the 1945-1951 Labour government. Their differences of opinion with Will Lawther over his anti-socialist foreign policy; the nationalisation of the coal mines; Andy's work as Industrial Relations Officer for the National Coal Board; Jack's role as Secretary of the Transport Group in the National Union of Railwaymen, and their general outlook on politics [with] an epilogue by Andy Lawther, stating his views on the 1984 Miners' Strike. Title: The Northern Film and T.V. Archive Title: Lessons of the Class Struggle Credit: Andy and Jack Lawther interviewed by Ray Challior Title: Part Four. Positions of Influence In 1939 when Russia attacked Finland and many coal owners and unions sent funds to a Finnish relief fund but when invited, the Chopwell and High Spen Union Lodges refuse rejected this because as Andy Lawther elaborates: "... when the mine owners were invited through charity to give a donation to the Spanish children, they steadfastly refused. Now immediately in 1939, when Russia attacked Finland, the whole of the country was united against the Soviet Union". Andy then discusses some of the political divisions within the Chopwell union with reference to certain individuals; Harry Bolton and Alderman J. Jeffries, both of whom were prolific Socialists in the ‘Chopwell movement.’. Andy talk about the circumstance’s which led to both men being expelled from the union following the intervention of Sam Watson leader of the Durham Miners Association as well as brother Will Lawther. Andy and Jack talk about the Labour victory in 1945 and the movement towards nationalisation of many industries including coal mining in 1947. In the late 1940s Andy Lawther is appointed as an industrial relations officer for the National Coal Board (NCB) and he talks with enthusiasm about the position. Jack talks about becomes secretary of Transport in the National Union of Rail Workers and the work that he did before joining the NCB in 1957, he explains why he did it and what he achieved for miners. There was much popular enthusiasm for the local Labour Party with "one or two exceptions": Blaydon Divisional Labour Party on attitudes towards the Soviet Union, and Deputy Leader of the Labour Party Aneurin Bevin who was opposed by three union leaders including brother Will Lawther, causing distinct tensions within the family. To Andy’s disgruntlement Will also accepted a knighthood. "Men can be men ... without titles" says Jack. Jack Lawther was later heavily involved with the Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament [CND] in the 1960s and would stand as a Labour party candidate for Whitley Bay and Hexham. Offering his thoughts on the political predicament of the day he recommends that young people should "... think for themselves and start reading history, not watching television". Andy agrees stating that the Tories decided that "the working classes must pay for the successes they had over the last thirty years". He then refers to the "skilful propaganda" of the media in the erosion of working-class powers. Credits: Camera Peter Roberts Sound Graham Denman V.T.R Recordist Peter Woodhouse Title: We would like to thank Beamish Museum, Durham Miners’ Association, Gateshead Central Library, Newcastle Central Library, Northumberland County Records Office, Sarah Shaw Title: Made under the terms of the A.C.T.T. Workshop Declaration, and with the financial assistance of Channel Four and the British Film Institute. Believed filmed a little time after the initial interview during the 1984-85 Miners’ Strike, Andy Lawther is asked about the strike, the future of the coal industry and his feelings towards the Labour movement during the strike. explains that the struggles of the 1926 General Strike ‘pales into insignificance’ compared to the 1984-85 Miner’s Strike. As he provides details footage of Arthur Scargill and miners marching through Sheffield near to the head office of the National Union of Mineworkers plus police and protestors clashing possibly at Orgreave. The sequence also includes miner’s marching through Durham during the Durham Miners’ Rally of 1984. End title: A Trade Film Production © 1984