Robbie MacDonald looks back at two events from spring 2025…

North West International Brigade Memorial Group (NWIBMG) members have taken part in a number of education events marking anti-fascism before and during the Second World War, timed around this year's 80th anniversary of VE Day, and a concert to raise funds for a new Spanish Civil War memorial in Salford.

In late April, some north-west IBMT members joined an Italian Liberation Day event with other organisations in Greater Manchester. The Eagle Inn in Salford, near Manchester city centre, was the venue. 

Stuart Walsh with screen presentations at the Italian Liberation Day event in the Eagle Inn, Salford.

Stuart Walsh from the north west IBMT group spoke about Clarion Cycle Club and Independent Labour Party (ILP) members from across Britain who joined the International Brigade and travelled to Spain in the 1930s civil war. His speech included tributes and profiles of Clarion cyclists who lost their lives in Spain. He also gave a wider history about the Clarion Club, cycling, sports and political movements in the 1930s, including the Barcelona Olympiad, which was planned as an alternative to the Munich Olympics in Nazi Germany, but never materialised because of the Spanish Civil War. Italians in the International Brigade were also highlighted, many of whom later joined the Italian resistance. Stuart's talk was very informative and emotionally moving.

Other groups involved included the Associazione Nazionale Partigiani d'Italia (ANPI), which originated as an Italian partisans' association but today is a charity that addresses both historic and current affairs, and is open to all who oppose fascism and support democracy. ANPI has branches across the world, including England, Scotland and Ireland, and is expanding in northern England. Other Italian groups there included the INCA-CGIL advice and trade union organisation for Italian workers in the UK, a Catholic workers association and the Partito Democratico political party in Greater Manchester. A Greater Manchester choir, the Open Voices Community Choir, performed songs. 

IBMT members and others at the Patriots & Partisans event in the Working Class Movement Library, Salford. 

Then in May, IBMT members took part in an event called Patriots & Partisans, marking anti-fascist resistance and forces from the 1920s to the 1940s for the 80th anniversary of VE Day. This event was at the Working Class Movement Library in Salford. Organised by the Communist Party in Greater Manchester, a range of organisations took part, including IBMT supporters, the Communist Party, Young Communist League, the James Connolly League and ANPI.

IBMT member Rob Hargreaves spoke about Irish members of the International Brigade in the Connolly Column. Jude Percival of the IBMT and Young Communist League spoke on medical and humanitarian aid from north-west England to Spain during the civil war. Eddy Redmond highlighted the Nazi assault on the USSR. Simone Rossi of ANPI spoke about Italian resistance from the 1920s to '40s, and legacy topics around Italian post-war fascism and democracy. Rob MacDonald chaired the event.

Floral tributes laid at nearby Acton Square, where the new Spanish Civil War memorial will go. 

At the end, floral tributes in memory of all who fought fascism were laid at Acton Square next to the Working Class Movement Library. That is the location earmarked for a future Salford Spanish Civil War memorial.

Chris Hall speaking at 'Songs of Protest and Struggle' concert at Wilbraham St Ninian's Church in Chorlton, Manchester.

Finally, a concert with songs, poetry and readings was held in Chorlton, Manchester, to raise funds for the Salford memorial. Organised by IBMT member and author Chris Hall, it was called 'Songs of Protest and Struggle'. 

The venue was Wilbraham St Ninian's Church in Chorlton, a church that also serves as a venue for the Chorlton Arts Festival. The concert was part of the festival. It was perhaps an unusual experience to witness a Spanish Civil War event in a church environment, including speakers in the pulpit. But the church is an important venue and supportive of the community, IBMT members said.

Performers at 'Songs of Protest and Struggle (clockwise from top left): Michael Burns and Chris Cheale; the MadDonnas; and Alan Percy and Alistair Dodds.

Performances came from Alan Percy and Alistair Dodds, both from the Manchester Radical Tradition folk music network; the MadDonnas and Michael Burns. Alistair Dodds has Basque family links and sang some songs in the Basque language too. 

Hilary Jones, daughter of former British Battalion commander Sam Wild.

Poems and speeches came from IBMT members, including Chris Hall, Hilary Jones and Barrie Eckford, a key member of the Salford memorial campaign. Hilary gave an excellent rendition of the famous Dolores Ibarruri speech in Barcelona.

Barrie Eckford with a maquette of the future Salford memorial to honour local Brigaders.

Barrie spoke about the importance of Spanish Civil War memorials in Britain and financial contributions from organisations and individuals, large and small.