I WAS very happy to be asked to read a few of my poems at this year’s Matchwomen’s Festival.

For those of us with class-based politics, it’s great to able to celebrate ordinary working people who make a difference rather than go on another A to B march where we’re lectured to by the Oxbridgers who, no matter how well meaning, are so distant from our lives and struggles.

The resilient Lousie Raw has been at the forefront of commemorating this important moment of our history, and in the vibrant and colourful way that best suits it.

As Samuel Webber (born 1874) recollected in a 1971 interview with Roy Palmer from the book Poverty Knock: “When (the matchwomen) went on strike they walked through Bow, all the way up Mile End Road, Whitechapel Road and Leadenhall Street, and straight through to Trafalgar Square. And all the way through Leadenhall Street particularly they used to sing (to the tune of John Brown’s Body), ‘We’ll hang old Bryant on a sour apple tree/ ?We’ll hang old Bryant on a sour apple tree/? We’ll hang old Bryant on a sour apple tree/? As we go marchin’ in/ Glory, glory, hallelujah/ glory, glory hallelujah/? Glory, glory, hallelujah/ As we go marchin’ in.’

“And while they were marching along, the people in the offices overhead and would throw some coppers (coins) down; and then there’d be a scramble among the girls to get these coppers up. That caused a bit of an interlude from the singing; and when they’d picked up all the coopers, on they’d go again, singing and marching.”

Class politics, and East End politics in particular, should never be a dour business.

Louise has put together a day that brings together many high-profile feminists as well as the grittier end of East End entertainment, including both a band, Steve White and the Protest Family, and a poet (me) that support Leyton Orient FC.

Also reading, despite being a posh fan — only in terms of football I hasten to assure you — is the jaunty Janine Booth, whose Mostly Hating Tories has been a bar room hit at many a gig of late.

Stalwarts Maddy Carty and Thee Faction will also be on stage. If you like your music with a bit of swagger and your brass with a bit of punch then Thee Faction will be serving it large.

I’ll be at the International Brigade commemoration earlier in the day before heading to the warmer climes of Canning Town. Both events remember the past and the sacrifice and grit of working-class people.

The Matchwomen’s Festival will see me with a pint in my hand, spouting some dropped aitches verse with solid comrades fighting against today’s toffs and bosses, and with an eye to a better tomorrow.