After years hidden away, Oldham’s memorial to six local volunteers who died fighting fascism in the Spanish civil war has been restored to public view, marking both a victory for campaigners and a renewed tribute to the town’s proud International Brigade heritage, says ROB HARGREAVES
DEBORAH LAVIN, who died last month aged 68, was a socialist historian, author, actor, activist, mother, mentor, friend and occasional firebrand.
Her funeral service, which in normal times would have seen Islington Crematorium packed to the rafters, was streamed online, with only close family and friends attending, due to Covid-19 virus restrictions.
It was watched by comrades worldwide; many had campaigned alongside Lavin, or been influenced and inspired by her work.
Maggie Bowden was a trailblazing campaigning lawyer at Birnberg and Thompsons, women’s organiser of the Communist Party, and general secretary of Liberation
CHRIS SEARLE speaks to saxophonist and retired NHS orthopaedic surgeon ART THEMEN
LYNNE WALSH previews the Bristol Radical History Conference this weekend



