International Brigade Memorial Trust
Saturday 4 October 2025 at the Unite Office, 26-24 Antrim Road, Belfast BT15 2AA
Present: Gerry Abrahams, Mike Arnott, Paddy Bolger, Frank Cammock, David Chanter, John Cobbe, Paul Coles (Treasurer), Kevin Cooper (photographer), Ciaran Crossey, Rowland Davies, Tracy Delaney, Megan Dobney (Secretary), Barrie Eckford, Gary Fabian, Lorene Fabian, Nuria Fraile (SRCUK), Mary Greening, Austin Harney, Dooley Harte, Carolyn Jones, Hilary Jones, Jim Jump (Chair), Sara Kearney, Geraldine Kelly, Paul Kelly, Denis Lenihan, Alan Lloyd, Dolores Long, Jim McGarrol, Des McGuiness, David McKnight, Ann Marrion, Brian Mein, Manuel Moreno, Anne O’Hara, Amaia O’Riordan, Brenda O’Riordan, Jess O’Riordan, Luke O’Riordan, Neil O’Riordan, Helen Oclee-Brown (Executive Officer), Frieda Park, Greg Pasco, Dave Rennie, Beth Richards, Mark Roberts, Cristina Roe, Ewald Schulz (KFSR), Xabier Villares (SRCUK), Nancy Wallach (ALBA), Stuart Walsh, Paul Ward, Ernest Walker, Lynda Walker.
Unite representative: Jim Larmour welcomed everyone to the Unite offices, saying the union was proud to welcome the IBMT to Belfast and gave best wishes for the AGM and further activities. Jim Jump thanked Unite for their hospitality, and pointed out that Jim’s great uncle, John Larmour, had been an International Brigader in Spain.
Chair’s opening remarks: Jim Jumpwelcomed everyone and thanked the International Brigade Commemoration Committee for the excellent events of the previous evening and earlier today. He noted that today was the 89th anniversary of the Battle of Cable Street in London, the most famous of the many occasions around the country that the Blackshirts were seen off by anti-fascist protesters. Cable Street was for many people the start of the journey to Spain, so it was appropriate that the IBMT AGM was being held on this date.
He read out several greetings that had been sent to the AGM:
ACER
Members and leaders of ACER, the friends of the French Brigaders who fought in Republican Spain, send you a warm message of support and thanks for your 2025 general meeting in Belfast.
We rejoice every year to see your wonderful work accomplished for the memory of Brigaders in Republican Spain. It is a great comfort and an example for us to see how we must perpetuate the memory of these admirable fighters for the freedom of the Spanish people.
In this difficult time for peace and understanding between peoples, the fight of the Brigaders is there to show us how to stand against oppression, obscurantism and intolerance.
Thanks comrades, and long live the IBMT, great and strong. Long live the Fifteenth Brigade – with fists raised.
Claire Rol-Tanguy
Claude Desmazure
ACER (Amis des Combattants en Espagne Républicaine)
France
AICVAS
Dear comrades of the International Brigade Memorial Trust, on behalf of the Italian Association of Anti-fascist Combatant Volunteers in Spain, we are honoured to send our greetings to the 2025 Annual General Meeting of the IBMT in Belfast.
Almost 90 years have passed since the Italian volunteers fought shoulder to shoulder with the British and Irish Brigaders in defence of the Spanish Republic. The memory of that unequal struggle has become legend, and those ideals still guide our lives.
In these times when winds of war are blowing and old and new forms of fascism threaten democracy, we’ll continue to hold with you the flag of the International Brigades, as our volunteers did then.
We therefore wish you every success for your meeting. We hope to find opportunities for collaboration between our associations in the future and meet you during the events in Spain to celebrate the 90th anniversary of the Civil War.
Our warmest regards. ¡No pasarán!
Italo Poma
President
AICVAS (Associazione Italiana Combattenti Volontari Antifascisti di Spagna)
Italy
Marx Memorial Library
The Marx Memorial Library & Workers’ School values our partnership with the IBMT in preserving the memory of the Spanish Civil War and all those from these islands who took part in that epic struggle against fascism.
With IBMT support, the library has this year embarked on an ambitious project to digitise our Spanish Civil War archives. Along with our associated educational activities, these archives help all those seeking to understand the significance of the Spanish Civil War. Just as importantly, they also inspire new generations of activists who once again must resist the rise of fascist and militarist ideologies.
It is in that spirit that we send warmest greetings to the IBMT’s 2025 AGM in Belfast.
Meirian Jump
Director
Marx Memorial Library & Workers’ School
London
RMT
RMT is proud to stand with the International Brigade Memorial Trust in honouring the memory of all those who bravely chose to join the International Brigades and fight against Franco, Hitler and Mussolini.
Members of our predecessor unions in the National Union of Railwaymen (NUR) and the National Union of Seamen (NUS) volunteered alongside thousands of others to fight fascism in Spain.
Their sacrifice was rooted in the principles of anti-fascism and internationalism, values that remain at the heart of the RMT and the wider trade union movement today.
I hope your AGM is a great success and you keep up your vital work in honouring the spirit of the International Brigades.
Eddie Dempsey
General Secretary
RMT (National Union of Rail, Maritime and Transport Workers)
A message of support was also delivered by Austin Harney, national executive member of the PCS union, on behalf of General Secretary Fran Heathcote.
Apologies: Richard Baxell, Margaret Bruton, John Haywood, Marshall Mateer, Moira Mateer, Harry Owens, Marlene Sidaway, Regi Thomas.
John Haywood: Megan Dobney reported that, for health reasons, John Haywood has decided to resign from the IBMT Executive Committee effective from this AGM. John was thanked for his unwavering support and work for the IBMT and the Oxford group over many years and was sent best wishes from the meeting.
Minutes of the 2024 AGM: The minutes of 2024 AGM were approved. No matters arising were raised.
Executive Committee Annual Report
Marlene Sidaway:It was noted that Marlene has stepped down as IBMT President and EC member / trustee. The meeting sent best wishes to her, thanked her for her outstanding contribution to the Trust and agreed she should continue to serve as IBMT Founder President.
Spanish nationality: Nuria Fraile of the Spanish Residents’ Council UK explained the legal position regarding applications for Spanish nationality by descendants of International Brigaders under Spain’s 2022 Law of Democratic Memory. The deadline for new applications submitted was 22 October. Jim Jump and Helen Oclee-Brown added that some 150 applications had been submitted so far, 40 of which were from Britain. People still interested in applying should contact Helen.
Forthcoming events: Megan Dobney said that next year’s London commemoration in Jubilee Gardens will be on Saturday 4 July. The Camel and Artichoke pub has been booked. The Len Crome Memorial Conversation was being held next month on Saturday 1 November at the Marx Memorial Library in London. The topic to be discussed by historians Richard Baxell, Helen Graham and Paul Preston is ‘Toxic Legacy: the lasting impact of Francoism on Spanish Democracy’. The event will be in-person and available online at a later date.
International greetings: Nancy Wallach (Abraham Lincoln Brigade Archives) gave greetings to the meeting from ALBA and emphasised the shared common purpose and importance of the relationship between the IBMT and ALBA. Peter Shultz gave fraternal greetings from the KFSR (Kämpfer und Freunde del Spanischen Republik), along with details of a project in La Fatarella and Corbera de Ebre, where plaques are being installed in a nearby pine grove in memory of Brigaders.
Merchandise: Alan Lloyd reminded of the importance of sales of merchandise as a crucial source of income for the IBMT.
Jarama:Mike Arnott reported that next year’s commemoration was expected to take place on the weekend of 20-22 February 2026, with opportunities to visit Tarancón where there is a memorial to the Scottish Brigaders, and/or Madrigueras.
Salford memorial: Barry Eckford reported that good progress has been made for the funding of a memorial for the Salford volunteers. The location of memorial will be close to Salford University and the Working Class Movement Library. The unveiling is planned for Saturday 18 July 2026. A booklet on the Salford volunteers is to be produced. The North West group was thanked for the range of its activities.
Wales: David McKnight reported that the annual commemoration had taken place at the International Brigade memorial in Cardiff on 19 July and was attended by more than 30 people. He added that plans were in hand for a Tym Sbaen/Tom Jones commemorative event in Wrexham in April 2026.
The meeting approved the annual report.
Finance report: Paul Coles presented his report, which said that income had fallen by £3,900 in the last financial year, possibly linked to the increase in the cost of living. However, income from donations had increased. Income from sale of merchandise on the website is crucial and needs to be increased. Support costs had increased. Good progress is being made with trade union affiliations, but work still needed to be done. Attendees were reminded to contact trade unions and encourage affiliations. The importance of people claiming gift aid emphasised. Membership is stable at approximately 800. Subscriptions account for 50 per cent of income and the system for following up lapsed members is being improved. Members are being encouraged to pay by direct debit and when possible subscribe online.
Election of Executive Committee members: Megan Dobney reported that five nominations had been received and accepted for the five vacant positions, one of which was carried over from last year. They were Mike Arnott, Megan Dobney, Jim Jump, Denis Lenihan and David McKnight. Their election was approved and Denis Lenihan was welcomed on to the EC. Megan explained that four would serve a three-year term and one, to be determined by the EC, would serve for two years.
Any other business: Stuart Walsh reminded the meeting of next year’s 90th anniversary of the People’s Olympiad in 1936. The Clarion Cycling Club was planning to get involved. David McKnight reported that Pedal4Progress was planning a cycle ride around Catalonia and the Ebro battlefield next year to raise money for the IBMT.
Date and place of 2026 AGM: Mike Arnott said he would investigate the possibility of holding it on the West Coast of Scotland.
Chair’s closing remarks: Jim Jump said he had received a message from the PCE-GB, which he read out:
Greetings on behalf of the Great Britain Branch of the Communist Party of Spain (PCE), which we are pleased to announce has recently adopted Felicia Browne’s name.
The Exterior Branch of the PCE was originally founded by the comrades who fled Spain during the Spanish Civil War and Franco’s dictatorship. Our comrades worked in exile, going mostly to France, Germany and Latin America, where they contributed to the clandestine struggle of their comrades, helped people escape and told the world about what was happening in Spain. Some are still alive.
The branch today is formed mostly by migrants, who left the country fleeing from precarity and looking for a life worth living at the expense of leaving their families and friends behind. We are a branch of refugees, political exiles and emigrants. So, I’m sure you’ll understand how deeply concerned we are with the expansion of far-right ideology and anti-immigration discourse.
The living conditions of the working class are worsening. We are not only witnessing a genocide taking place but also are part of it. Pacifists are charged with terrorism and terrorists run free – and all this is happening under a so-called progressive government. This puts us in a difficult situation, here and in Spain, where we are part of the government that was selling arms to the terrorist state of Israel but at the same time was on the streets protesting and boycotting the Vuelta a España cycling race, a major sports event in which Israel was taking part, and now we need to pay the high price for our contradictions.
The anti-immigration discourse spreads like wildfire through the let-down and frustrated working class that blames foreign fellow workers for their hardship. But we cannot let that happen again. Memes won’t do. Making jokes or ridiculing on social media is not going to do the trick. Far right ideology and fascism you can only stop in the streets. We need to confront them.
The volunteers of the International Brigades knew that it wasn’t just Spain’s future that was at stake and we need that clarity of mind today more than ever.
There are many challenges ahead for us. We need to keep working together as we have been doing. That’s why the work of the IBMT is so important. We need to keep the memory of the volunteers alive. We need to educate new generations and do justice to all those who paved the way forward with their blood.
We wish you all the best. Thank you for your work and please remember that you are not alone. In solidarity!
Noelia Sánchez
PCE-GB (Great Britain ‘Felicia Browne’ Branch of the Communist Party of Spain)
Attendees were thanked for attending, with special thanks given to the organisers of the weekend for their hard work and efficiency.
Photo [Kevin Cooper Photoline NUJ] shows Alan Lloyd speaking at the AGM.
