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UCATT Celebrates Liverpool's Capital Of Culture Year 2008

As Liverpool celebrates being European Capital of Culture in 2008, we are commemorating Robert Tressell’s (Noonan) famous book “The Ragged Trousered Philanthropists”.

Robert Noonan died, in Liverpool, on 3^rd February, 1911 – on his way to emigrating to Canada.  He was buried in a paupers’ grave at Walton Park Cemetery.

The book is a classic of the Labour Movement, selling millions and – as tradition has it – millions more have read it as it is passed from hand to hand.

Robert Noonan signed the book Robert Tressell for fear of reprisals but, sadly, the book was not published until three years after his death.

The book is an accurate historical account of the lives of working people, bosses and ‘Idlers’.  It condemns the horrors of capitalism and gives a comprehensive explanation of how the system works and the need for a Socialist alternative.

Written in the early part of the 19^th Century – Robert Tressell speaks through the hero Owen – a building worker – describing incidents and characters that any worker could relate to today.  The Philanthropists are the workers willing to work for the “good cause” of giving their unpaid labour to the “Masters” – the bosses’ profits.

UCATT, PCS (Public and Commercial Services Union), the North West TUC and Liverpool Trades Union Council – with the assistance of Local Councillors, Rice Lane Community Association, Big House Arts and Tom McLennan – Performance Director – have put together a number of events to commemorate Robert Noonan’s great work.

We also fully support all other events taking place throughout the year in the name of Robert (Tressell) Noonan and/or “The Ragged Trousered Philanthropists”.

Performances Programme 2008

6^th and 7^th May

The Casa Club, Hope Street, Liverpool

8^th May

CUC, Bird Theatre,

off Parliament Street, Liverpool

9^th May

Prison Officers’ Club,

Hornby Road, Walton, Liverpool

Limited tickets available from UCATT North West Regional Office, 56 Derwent Road East, Liverpool L13 6QR, telephone 0151 228 8455.