Events

19 March ONLINE – Talk by Meirian Jump, Director of the Marx Memorial Library, on ‘British Volunteers in the Spanish Civil War’; 7pm-8.30pm; organised by the General Federation of Trade Unions as part of a Trade Union and Working Class History course; free; register online.

28 March ONLINE – Paul Preston speaks about his latest book, ‘Perfidious Albion: Britain and the Spanish Civil War’ (The Clapton Press), which examines how British foreign policy contributed towards the fall of the Spanish Republic. The book also looks at the humanitarian activities among the British left and others and how authors like Gerald Brenan and George Orwell shaped attitudes to the Spanish Civil War. Organised by the Socialist History Society; 6.30pm; free; register here.

6-7 April GANDESA – 86th anniversary tribute to the International Brigades, including a walk from Venta de Sant Joan to Corbera d’Ebre in the footsteps of the Lincoln-Washington Battalion in April 1938. Organised and hosted by the Herència Altés winery, Finca Lo Grau de l’Inquisidor, Ctra. N-420, Gandesa 43780; more information from events@herenciaaltes.com; tel +34 977 430 681 /670 584 138.

25-28 April MADRID/JARAMA  – The North West Trade Union International Committee (NWTUIC) is running a Spanish Civil War study tour to Madrid and Jarama. It will be held from Thursday 25 April to Saturday 27 April. There is a fee of £60 for the programme in Spain. Delegates to make own arrangements for accommodation and travel. IBMT members and supporters welcome. Further details from IBMT member Kevan Nelson.

25 April DERRY – May Day / ‘Peace on Earth’ event marking the 87th anniversary of the bombing on Guernica; organised by the International Brigade Commemoration Committee; 7.30pm at Sandinos, Water Street, Derry/Londonderry BT48 6BQ; with Joe Solo and Teknopeasant; tickets £7 (£3.50 unwaged); contact Lynda Walker for more information.

26 April BELFAST – May Day / ‘Peace on Earth’ event marking the 87th anniversary of the bombing on Guernica; organised by the International Brigade Commemoration Committee; 7.30pm at The Black Box, 18-22 Hill Street, Belfast BT1 2LA; with Joe Solo and Teknopeasant; tickets £7 (£3.50 unwaged); contact Lynda Walker for more information.

28 April STOCKTON-ON-TEES – Event to mark the attack on Guernica and the 40th anniversary of the first dedication of the Teesside International Brigade memorial, featuring the laying of a single white flower and the reading of a poem from Bob Beagrie's Romanceros collection. From 11am at The Wasp's Nest. More info on Facebook. The event will be followed by a short commemoration at the Golden Smog Warriors game, which will tip-off at 1pm.

28 April THORNABY-ON-TEES – The annual Otto Estensen Trophy event will be held in the Golden Smog Warriors' new home; The Thornaby Academy, aptly just a three-pointer away from Brigader Otto Estensen's former home on Redcar Road, Thornaby. See Facebook for more information. Tip-off at 1pm.

3 May MIDDLESBROUGH – Dr Bob Beagrie introduces 'Romanceros', a collection of 35 poems, which will be published on 26  April by Drunk Muse Press, a radical Scottish publisher. Bob will be joined by local poets who will also share their work. Event organised by North East Volunteers for Liberty. Start time: 7pm at The Chapel, 16 Whitehouse Street, Middlesbrough TS5 4BY. More information available online.

18 May EASTBOURNE – A multi-media presentation on Sussex and the Spanish Civil War with historic cine footage and live music from Robb Johnson and Jon Mason. Time: 7pm - 10pm; Grove Theatre, Grove Road, Eastbourne BN21 4TL. Tickets are available on Eventbrite.

May/June RICHMOND/YORK/SALISBURY – A touring production of Laurie Lee's life, told in his own words and music. Lee's words are spoken by two renowned actors Anton Lesser and Charlie Hamblett.  The story is interspersed with English pastoral music by the Orchestra of the Swan (David Page) and with Spanish guitar pieces played by Mark Ashford. Venues and dates announced so far include Richmond on 19 May, York on 26 May and Salisbury on 7 June with more dates to follow. Book online: Richmond and York or Salisbury. Image: Homer Sykes.

6 July LONDON – Music, words and wreath-laying from 1pm-2pm to honour the International Brigades at the national International Brigade Memorial on the South Bank in Jubilee Gardens, Belvedere Road, London SE1 7PG. Contact IBMT Secretary.