Key events 1995 - 1997

1995

• WBC can afford to fund a full-time union organiser for BWTUC. Martin Smith is appointed and successfully unionises the refuse collectors and street cleaners of Wandsworth, who were without union representation since the council privatised the services in 1982.

• WBC decide to buy our own bar which will give us a permanent base and licence. After some searching we buy the Boyers Arms, Clapham.

1996

• Bread and Roses opens its doors. Yes, it is bread we fight for but we fight for roses too. The name is inspired by the by a poem associated with the 1912 US textile workers strike.

As we come marching, marching in the beauty of the day,
A million darkened kitchens, a thousand mill lofts grey, are touched with all the radiance that a sudden sun discloses,
For the people hear us singing; Bread and roses! Bread and roses!
As we come marching, marching, we battle too for men for they are women's children and we mother them again,
Our lives shall not be sweated from birth until life closes,
Hearts starve as well as bodies, give us bread but give us roses!
As we come marching, marching unnumbered women dead,
Go crying through our singing their ancient cry for bread,
Small art and love and beauty their drudging spirits knew,
Yes, it is bread we fight for but we fight for roses too!

1997

• Things can only get better. WBC organises a massive May Day Party in Finsbury Park with 70,000 to celebrate Labour win a landslide election.
• Bread and Roses wins CAMRA best pub refurbishment of the year.

Next: Key events 1998 - 2000