Unite celebrates the “trade union Bayeux Tapestry" 

Today (22 September) Unite Community activists unveiled two trade union history boards at the unions View Hotel in Eastbourne.

These information boards will tell the story of the Transport and General Workers’ Union (TGWU) and also provide facts about Eastbourne’s International Workers’ Mural.

A large crowd gathered to see the unveiling of the boards following years of campaigning by Unite Community member Carol Mills.

The boards are being unveiled to tie in with the 50th anniversary of the opening of The View, one of Eastbourne’s most iconic landmarks. The hotel started its life as the Transport and General Workers’ Union Convalescence Hotel and Conference Centre, and was constructed using British sourced materials to support British industry and workers. 

The hotel used ceramics from the Staffordshire Potteries; aluminium windows and framing by British Alcan. The use of heather slate on the frontage resulted in a slate quarry being saved from closure due to the size of the order.

It was opened in October 1976 by leading trade unionist Jack Jones, who was the TGWU’s general secretary from 1968 until 1978. Jack was a key figure in advancing workers’ rights and industrial democracy, enabling workers to have a voice in decisions that affect their workplace conditions.

The International Workers’ Mural is a major artwork depicting the history and achievements of the labour movement through international trade unionism and solidarity, the 89 foot long mural was created by the Art Workers Co-operative – Michael ‘Mick’ Jones (son of Jack), Christopher Robinson, and Simon Barber. 

Currently hidden from public view due to not having a permanent display location, it previously was on the balcony of the reception area of The View when it was the Transport and General Workers’ Centre but was removed in 2014 when the building was converted into a tourist hotel.

Carol Mills, from the Eastbourne group of Unite Community South Coast has researched the history of the hotel and been working tirelessly to have the boards installed, said: “I have been campaigning to have these union history boards installed at The View for the last six years – and today is the day.”

“I am very excited that the day has finally come where Eastbourne residents and visitors will now know the fantastic trade union history of The View just by taking a stroll along the seafront.”

Unveiling the panels, Unite’s Jim Mowatt. Jim has been supporting Carol’s campaign and said, “I was one of the very few people who was here fifty years ago for the opening of the rest and recuperation facility we built in 1976.”

“Carol has done a wonderful job trying to exhibit some of the fantastic history we have in our union. The mural is the trade union equivalent of the Bayeux Tapestry – and we should be very proud of that.”

Unite Community Organiser for South East Unite, Kelly Thomlison, added, “We are here today to unveil the information boards that our Unite community activist has been working relentlessly to get installed.

“I used to come to the Eastbourne Hotel for many Unite training courses, and remember the mural very well.”

Last year the mural’s two central panels returned briefly to their south coast home when they were exhibited as part of the Sussex Modernism Exhibition at Towner Eastbourne Gallery, and revived an interest in this important piece of trade union history. 

So next time you are on a Unite Education course in Eastbourne take some time to read the new boards and find out more about trade union history on the south coast.

Find out more about radical history in Eastbourne on the Peoples Eastbourne website. 

By Keith Hatch

Photos by Mark Thomas