Lecture Programme - Anniversary of the Wembley Pageant

2013 sees the 75th anniversary of one of the most remarkable International Co-operative Day celebration events held in the UK – the Wembley Pageant. Organised jointly by three of the Co-operative Societies in Greater London (London, South Suburban and Watford) and held at the recently opened Wembley Stadium, the pageant involved over 3,000 artistes and drawn mainly from co-operative auxiliary organisations, and was enjoyed by an audience of over 60,000 people. Towards Tomorrow – A Pageant of Co-operation was the highlight of the day’s celebrations. It lasted over two hours with music scored by Alan Bush, founder of the Workers Music Association and tracked developments from ‘Merrie England’, through the Industrial Revolution with its accompanying suffering and drive to war, to the prospect of a co-operative future. Many of these themes were also used Danny Boyle opening ceremony for the 2012 Olympics. This session will explore the background to the Wembley Pageant and view a remarkable 40 minute film made by the London Co-operative Society’s Political Committee.