Reference
Z1240
Title
Papers of George & Betty Matthews of the Bedford Communist Party.
Date free text
c.1930 - 1950
Production date
From: 1930 To: 1955
Scope and Content
Here catalogued are the papers of two late activists of the British Communist Party. George was born in Sandy, educated at Bedford Modern School (1928-1932) and became the war prospective Labour candidate for Mid-Bedfordshire from 1938. His wife Betty had been a member of the Communist Party since 1936 and had become Secretary for the Bedford Branch & South-East Midland's District before running as the Communist Candidate for Queen's Park Ward, Bedford during the 1940's and early 1950's. This small collection provides insight into Local Communist Policy, post war struggles in Bedford including accommodation shortage, local party politics, local elections and the persistent and determined manner in which Betty and her Queen's Park constituents fought to get Queen's Park Bridge erected. The collection also includes a letter from Alan Lennox-Boyd, Conservative Candidate for Mid-Bedfordshire and later Colonial Secretary and Ivan Maisky, Ambassador of the U.S.S.R in Great Britain in 1942.
Archival history
Deposited by Mike Power, executor of late George Matthews via. Richard Wildman on the 2nd Feb 2006.
Level of description
fonds