May Day … Worker’s Day

Today, the Turbine House is open to the public. I have had some visitors so that has been nice. The sun is shining which is welcome after yesterday when it rained non-stop all day. Unfortunately, there is a lot of cloud and filmmaking has been hampered.  Then the light sensor in the building is super sensitive … there will be a lot of edits!

The dolls did dance round the May Pole to celebrate May Day as it was called until 1st May 1891 when it was designated International Worker’s Day.  The day that for centuries had been a day to celebrate spring, flowers and fertility was to become a day of political agitation. So, while the local families enjoyed the dance around the May Pole and the tomfoolery of the Chimney Sweep, the workers were addressing their political needs.

The workers were acknowledging the end of the Second Industrial Revolution when communities shifted from an agrarian economy to a manufacturing economy. Previously workers who had worked the land, made tools, built homes, roads by hand are now replaced by machines and industry. This led to increased production, efficiency and regular income.

While many workers and employers celebrate on May Day the achievement of industrialisation others are marching in the streets demanding better pay and improved working conditions.