(Left) Jamie Stewart, an expert collector in action. (Right) Unemployment can strike in the least expected sectors. and Pete Firmin The north west leg started from Preston on Saturday May 17. The marchers came together the previous evening and was addressed by Mike Hindley, MEP. The marchers were a determined group of people with 4 weeks on the road in front of them.
Some had marched before. Most, however, were unemployed people, committed to fighting unemployment and to defence of the welfare state, but with no previous experience of such a campaign.
No one knew what 4 weeks on the road would mean. In a church hall that night with rain battering on the roof, it was hard to imagine.
Preston Trades Council organised the send-off next morning from the spot in the centre of Preston where four Chartists were shot in 1842.
The marchers were addressed by the Trades Council and Audrey Wise, MP for Preston, then they formed up with several local banners and delegations for a march through the town. It was a modest start, and the slogans were not yet coming together, but we were on the road.
There were three towns that day - Blackburn, Accrington and Burnley. By the time we reached Burnley, the slogans were in place:
"Tobs for all, that's our call "ISA - No Way!
"Low Pay - No Way!