GB0197 DS14 Doncaster Archives Department This catalogue was digitised by The National Archives as part of the National Register of Archives digitisation project NRA 43588 The National Archives ACCESS Access to these records is restricted to members and representatives of the union, unless prior permission to consult them has been gained from the depositor, through Doncaster Archives, King Edward Road, Balby, Doncaster DN4 ONA. Acc. 213, 214, 243, 245, 258, 279, 282, 292, 297, 324, 344, 371, 624, DS14 748, 772,1216 DONCASTER ARCHIVES DONCASTER SOCIALIST (INTERNATIONAL), 1967-1987 Administrative History Doncaster Socialist Union was established on 31 March 1974 at the Ingram Arms in Hatfield after a split from the Revolutionary Workers Party (Trotskyists), British Section of the IVth International (Posadist), the Doncaster Regional Committee and the Miners Faction. The opening speech can be found at DS 14/1/1 given by David Douglass and a committee was formed with Ken Terry as chairman and David and Maureen Douglass as secretary and vice chair respectively. By November 1974 it was agreed to change the name of the organisation to Socialist Union (International). The organisation thought it was necessary to elevate class consciousness amongst the working class, make political preparations for socialism, offer real class leadership and co-ordinate struggles within the mines, factories, communities and the Labour Party. Its spheres of work included the Labour Party of Young Socialists, Marxist Class, Claimants Union, industrial, clandestine and tenant groups. The whole organisation was structured on a democratic basis on a united Marxist programme and they began writing their manifesto in 1974 which outlines their main role (see ref. DS 14/8/1-3). Throughout the seven years they were active from 1974 to 1981 other bodies affiliated with the SU(I) including Egypt, Boston and New York and cells were established in Glasgow and Oxford. The organisation was wound up on 10 November 1981 as recruitment and membership had dwindled. The Doncaster branch of the International Committee for a United Labour Front Defence was also wound up in the following May as its founding members had originally been the SU(I), the Revolutionary Communist League Internationalist (wound up in April 1982) and the Communist Cadre Marxist of USA. Proletaria Book Shop The organisation was also responsible for running a book shop called Proletaria in Dunscroft. Its purpose was to dispense socialist books and pamphlets to the working class population and to provide rooms for meetings of various progressive organisations such as the Red Star Club, Left Labour Group and the Claimants Union. It also sold the SU(I)'s locally produced bulletin, 'We have Nothing to Lose but our Chains' (see ref. DS 14/9/1). Owing tofinancial pressures it closed in October 1974. Red Start Folk Club The SU(I) were also involved with the Red Star Folk Club which was located at the Eagle Press Hotel (now the Tut 'n' Shive) on West Laithe Gate and these records can be found in section seven. Acc. 213, 214, 243, 245, 258, 279, 282, 292, 297, 324, 344, 371, 624, DS14 748, 772,1216 DONCASTER ARCHIVES DONCASTER SOCIALIST (INTERNATIONAL), 1967-1987 TABLE OF CONTENTS 1/1-8 MINUTES 1974-1982 2/1-17 ACCOUNTS 1974-1984 3/1-21 CORRESPONDENCE FILES 1970-1982 4/1-8 SUBJECT FILES 1970s-1982 5/1-7 DIARIES 1974-1980 6/1-8 BANNERS, POSTERS AND BADGES 1970s-1980s 7/1-6 RED STAR FOLK CLUB 1970s 8/1-64 PROLETARIA BOOK SHOP 1967-1984 INCLUDES PUBLICATIONS 9/1-21 NEWSPAPERS AND NEWSLETTERS 1967- 1987 10/1-4 MISCELLANEOUS 1968- 1970s General International Standard of Archival Description The information given here follows the requirements of the General International Standard of Archival Description established by the International Council on Archives (second edition, Ottawa, 2000). International Reference Code GB/197/DS14 Level of Description Fonds Dates of Accumulation 1967-1987 The secondary material in sections 8 and 9 deposited with this collection have been retained, although it post-dates the dissolution of the organisation. Extent and Medium of Archives 24 boxes (0.3888 cubic metres) Name of Creator: Doncaster Socialist (International), formerly Doncaster Socialist Union Administrative History See the first page of this catalogue Archival History This fonds was initially created by the Socialist Union (International), formerly the Doncaster Socialist Union. The records were then held in the custody of Mr D Douglass of Dunscroft before some of the records were deposited with Cusworth Hall Museum. These were transferred to Doncaster Archives in 1976 and further deposits were received from the Secretary. (Accession Nos. 213, 214, 243, 245, 258, 279, 282, 292, 297, 324, 344, 371, 624, 748, 772, 1216) Scope and Content This fonds consists of 8 minute books, several different types of account books (including those from the book shop and the Red Star Folk Club), correspondence and subject files, diaries, banners, publications and radical newspapers and newsletters. No earlier correspondence files were received before No. 9 Accruals It is unknown whether any more deposits are expected. Appraisal, Destruction and All records in this fonds are appraised as records Scheduling Information for permanent retention. System of Arrangement The original order of the fonds has been maintained, although some records were removed which related to the Revolutionary Workers Party, the National Union of Mineworkers and the personal life of David Douglass. These records can now be found at DS75, DS74 and DD/DOUGLASS. The fonds has been arranged into ten series which reflect the different activities of the creator. Legal Status Privately deposited records on indefinite loan to Doncaster Archives. Access Conditions Restricted Access. Restricted to members and representatives of the union, unless prior permission to consult them has been gained from the depositor, through Doncaster Archives. Conditions Governing Photocopies can be supplied by a member of staff Reproduction once a declaration form has been signed by the researcher and written permission has been soughtfroma union representative. Language or Script of Materials Mainly English with several newspapers and newsletters in French, German, Spanish, Arabic, Russian and Chinese. Finding Aids Catalogue (see following pages). Index of place names and subjects. Allied Material: Other records relating to Socialist Organisations can be found at: DS19 Mineworkers' Internationale, 1960s-1975 DS75 Revolutionary Workers Party: Doncaster Region, 1973-1975 DD/DOUGLASS Papers of David Douglass of Dunscroft Archivisfs Note Catalogued by Lisa Watson, Archivist 2000-2001 Rules or Conventions Description based on the General International Standard of Archival Description, 2nd Edition, Ottawa 2000 DS14 1 MINUTES 1/1 Minute Book, signed March-July 1974 Includes Opening Speech by D Douglass, Pamphlet on the Role of the LPYS, Policy and Programme of the Union and Notes on World Revolution, Mass Workers Parties of Europe and Armed Struggle 1/2 Minute Book, signed July-Nov 1974 1/3 Minute Book, signed Nov 1974-Dec 1975 1/4 Minute Book, signed Jan-July 1976 1/5 Minute Book, signed July 1976-April 1977 Includes Proposed Itinerary for the National Labour Movement Delegation to Ireland 1/6 Minute Book, signed April 1977-Oct 1978 1/7 Minute Book, signed Oct 1978-Feb 1979 Includes SU(I) Ultimate Statement and a Statement to Prisoners, Supporters and Friends of the International Committee for United Front International Labour Defencefrom the Revolutionary Communist League 1 /8 Minute Book of the United Front for April 1979-May 1982 International Labour Defence, signed Includes Statement on Dissolution of the Committee 2 FINANCIAL RECORDS 2/1 Cash Statements 1974-1975 Includes Subscriptions, Sale of Publications and Invoices Bundle 2/2 Cash Book 1975-1979 Includes Subscriptions, Sale of Publications and Invoices 2/3 Cash Book 1979-1980 DS14 2/4 Special Fund Account Notebook 1974-1976 Includes Subscriptions and Rentals 2/5 Special Fund Account Notebook 1975-1979 Includes Sales of Publications including Slaughter of the Miners by the NCB and Subscriptions from 1976 2/6 Subscription Account Book 1974-1976 2/7 United Front for International Labour 1979-1982 Defence Cash Book 2/8 Doncaster Anti-Nazi League Cash Book 1978-1979 Proletaria Book Shop 2/9 Book Record Account Book 1973-1975 Includes list of Suppliers, Books owned by the Shop and Invoices and Receipts 2/10 Income and Expenditure Cash Notebook 1973-1979 Includes Orders and Receipts and Article, 'An Island Unfree' by Maureen Douglass for the Republican News 2/11 Invoice of Sales to Ken Terry, Book Shop 1976 Owner Red Star Folk Club For the Cash and Record Books after 1984, see DD/DOUGLASS 2/12 Red Star Folk Club Cash and Record July 1972-Mar 1973 Notebook Includes Receipts, Notes about Events and Correspondence 2/13 Red Star Folk Club Cash and Record Mar-Aug 1973 Notebook Includes Receipts, Notes about Events, Advertisements and Correspondence DS14 2/14 Red Star Folk Club Cash and Record Book Aug-Nov 1973 Includes Receipts, Notes about Events and Newspaper Cuttings 2115 Red Star Folk Club Cash and Record Book Dec 1973-June 1975 Includes Receipts, Notes about Events, Advertisements and Correspondence 2/16 Red Star Folk Club Cash and Record Book Sep 1975-Oct 1977 Includes Receipts, Notes about Events, Advertisements, Correspondence, Tickets and Programmes Also includes Attendance lists at Thorne District Trades Council, 1948-1972 2117 Red Star Folk