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Gerard Winstanley & the Diggers
Quorn Grange, Sunday 24th September 2017
Against the background of the English Civil War,
a spontaneous movement known as the ‘Diggers’
attempted to refashion the land as ‘a common
treasury’ to be shared, and enjoyed by all: and to be
owned by none.
The sheer vision and idealism of the Diggers, through
their attempts to create a truly egalitarian community and
seizure of uncultivated land, stand as the well-spring of
both the modern Socialist and ecological movements.
This day-school, led by Dr. John Callow of the GFTU,
explores the impact and legacy of that movement, and of
the life and work of its leader, Gerard Winstanley, through
contemporary documents, song and film.
The Peasant Revolts of 1549
Quorn Grange, Sunday 29th October 2017
When we think of the Tudor period, we tend to think of
Kings, Queens and court politics. The people have only
‘walk-on parts’.
But, here they are centre stage as Doug Nicolls of the
GFTU brings to life the revolts of 1549, which swept
through Devon and Cornwall, targeting the gentry and new
enclosures of common land, and threatened to topple
Edward VI from his throne.
Led by Roger Kett, the rebellion created a bridge between
the Peasants’ Revolt of 1381 and the later agitation of the
Levellers and Diggers. In its own terms, it represented
some of the first demands for a more egalitarian and
democratic society.
All courses start at 11am. There is a break for a lunch hour at 12.30;
and the sessions conclude at 2.40pm.
“England is not a free
people, till the poor
that have no land
have free allowance
to dig and labour the
commons...”