Community activist, food bank founder-green energy co-op Author * Food Bank Britain *-DEPTFORD radicle history & Liberty , play-book true story Kath Duncan battle 2 establish UK civil. Bio The Last Queen of Scotland Out 2018 .Am guest speaker, social enterprise -poverty-food waste issues . Broadcaster & write The London Economic . My aim giving updates, comments, insight what establishment up 2 across Globe & briefing you on Campaigners MSM chose 2 ignore .
She was the Scottish activist famous across the UK, a former Kirkcaldy schoolteacher, jailed twice for her activism between the wars.
But the diminutive redhead Kath Duncan is a name that has largely been forgotten – until now.
KAth Duncan addressing a crowd of 30,000 in London.
Ray Barron-Woolford has published a biography ‘The Last Queen Of Scotland’ and written a play based on her incredible life, which came after four years of research.
“I need to thank the Fife Free Press,” said Ray who lives in London. “You did a couple of pieces on my interest in Kath and they brought in historians from across Scotland.
“George Proudfoot at Kirkcaldy Civic Society did a brilliant job in helping me too.
“She’s now got a Wikipedia page and a park bench and plaque in Deptford. BBC Scotland have now got the option to do a period drama on her life and another company called Inside Film have started filming a docu-drama about her.”
Ray pinpoints Kath’s time as a pivitol moment in her life.
“As a school teacher in Kirkcaldy she was reading and writing letters for men who were coming back from the frontline during the first world war. That really shaped her politics.
“She was formidable and this is why I say she is the most important female civil rights activist of all, because between the wars she was one of the leaders of every major campaign.
“The activism for the suffragettes, her friendship with the Churchills and Clement Atlee, her involvement with the Spanish Civil War, union activism, the General Strike and the anti-facism.
“Her jail sentence led to the first ever civil rights debate in the House of Commons, and the establishment of the National Council of Civil Liberties – now called Liberty. All these things came from this woman.”
‘Liberty’ was also the name that Ray chose for the title of his play on Kath’s life which was staged in London earlier this year.
“I had never written a play before but I wanted to have the spirit of the Scots, so I hired a Scottish director.
“It’s had four star reviews so I would love to bring it to Kirkcaldy.”
Ray is hopeful that Kath now starts to get the recognition he feels she deserves.
“When you look at the newspaper clippings from the 1930s, she was more famous than Wallis Simpson.
“But she was a woman, she was poor and she was a Communist; that’s why she has been written out of history, even though she won every campaign she fought.
“She achieved the impossible and her story is an amazing one, no matter your politics.”
The life of Kath Duncan...
Kath Duncan was born on July 4, 1888 in the village of Tarbert and the family moved to Kirkden in Argyllshire after her father’s death.
She studied literature at St Andrews University then moved to 92 High Street, Kirkcaldy after she had secured a job as a teacher at the East Primary School.
In 1923 Kath married Englishman Alexander Duncan at the Carlton Tea Rooms in Kirkcaldy on December 23, then in January 1924 the pair moved to 49 Downs Road, Clapton in London, where Kath taught at the Battersea Continuation School.
She was jailed twice for her activism whilst down south and later returned to Scotland where she died of tuberculosis aged 66 on 14 August 1954, at Stracathro Hospital, Brechin. link to buy the book , although you can order from ALL book sellers or Direct from me. if you are not happy buying on line . Learn more: https://www.amazon.co.uk/…/ref=cm_sw_em_r_mt_dp_U_hJCYCbHA9…
The must read book- biography of the most important Working Class hero, Scot , Uk, LGBTQ Civil Rights activist the past 100 years. No other person male or female was as active at leadership level on so many campaigns between the Wars. Suffragette . member of the Leadership Communist party . Lead member 1926 General Strike National Union Unemployed Workers. Teachers Union Activist. Miners support activist .Invergordon Mutiny. Spanish Civil War. The Hunger Marches.Anti War activist. Anti Fascist who lead Cabel street protests. Support Union rights for workers in India. Established Friends of Russia. Was great friends with The Churchills and Clem Attlee. Taking on the Utility companies poor peoples tax. One of the first Woman to stand as a Parliamentary candidate Her 2 jail terms lead to first House of Commons Civil Rights debate and the establishment of The National Council Civil Liberties we call LIBERTY today. Direct Mail me direct for copies of the book if you don't like buying on line .or order from your local book shop.. I am also happy to give free talks on Kaths Life and activism you may also like my book-Play LIBERTY that tells just one chapter in her life of Activism her role in the UK Civil Rights movement .Its really important people buy this book, give as a perfect present. review so more working class heroes stories are told, especially Women.Will you help me bring Kath Duncan out of the shadows and restored to National Treasure Statues? We are taught about our Kings & Queens and tyrants , we are taught about Civil Rights USA, India and South Africa..So should we not be teaching ALL our kids and each other about the heroism of one ordinary women who became extraordinary? Click to buy ; The Last Queen of Scotland by Amazon.co.uk Learn more: https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/164378269X/ref=cm_sw_em_r_mt_dp_U_qDYXCb751B771
The must read book- biography of the most important Working Class hero, Scot , Uk, LGBTQ Civil Rights activist the past 100 years. No other person male or female was as active at leadership level on so many campaigns between the Wars. Suffragette . member of the Leadership Communist party . Lead member 1926 General Strike National Union Unemployed Workers. Teachers Union Activist. Miners support activist .Invergordon Mutiny. Spanish Civil War. The Hunger Marches.Anti War activist. Anti Fascist who lead Cabel street protests. Support Union rights for workers in India. Established Friends of Russia. Was great friends with The Churchills and Clem Attlee. Taking on the Utility companies poor peoples tax. One of the first Woman to stand as a Parliamentary candidate Her 2 jail terms lead to first House of Commons Civil Rights debate and the establishment of The National Council Civil Liberties we call LIBERTY today. Direct Mail me direct for copies of the book if you don't like buying on line .or order from your local book shop.. I am also happy to give free talks on Kaths Life and activism you may also like my book-Play LIBERTY that tells just one chapter in her life of Activism her role in the UK Civil Rights movement .Its really important people buy this book, give as a perfect present. review so more working class heroes stories are told, especially Women.Will you help me bring Kath Duncan out of the shadows and restored to National Treasure Statues? We are taught about our Kings & Queens and tyrants , we are taught about Civil Rights USA, India and South Africa..So should we not be teaching ALL our kids and each other about the heroism of one ordinary women who became extraordinary? Click to buy ; The Last Queen of Scotland by Amazon.co.uk Learn more: https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/164378269X/ref=cm_sw_em_r_mt_dp_U_qDYXCb751B771
REVIEW: Kath Duncan: The Last Queen of Scotland by Ray Woolford
Many Women have been written out of the male-dominated history books. For every Amazonian queen, rebel girl, scandalous mistress, militant suffragette or persistent female pioneer that we now know about, there are hundreds more “hidden her stories” of extraordinary women which go totally uncelebrated.
Ray Woolford’s fascinating new book shines the spotlight on an unsung political heroine whom many will be unfamiliar with. Kath Duncan was one of the most important activists of the last century. She had connections with major politicians like Winston Churchill & George Lansbury, she stood for parliament, made inspiring speeches and dedicated her entire life to the causes she believed in, to the detriment of her own health. However, her leading role in left-wing and communist politics, her working class Scottish background and her gender, have all led to her story being marginalized. Her important contribution to the civil rights movement has been buried by the establishment since her death in 1954, at the height of the cold war.
Woolford’s book tells how Kath Duncan was a highly significant champion of the poor and the unemployed. She was a tireless campaigner for workers’ rights and spent 2 jail terms in Holloway prison for making political speeches. The National Council for Civil Liberties supported her in a landmark court case on the freedom of speech but not many history books will tell you that fact. Duncan also opposed fascism, took part in the Battle of Cable Street and was central to the Aid to Spain movement in the 1930’s. She was a key player in these things – so by rights she should be a household name or have a memorial or statue erected somewhere.
Woolford’s very well researched biography defiantly places Kath Duncan’s story right back into the public eye where it belongs, and restores her to her rightful position as one of the leading civil-rights activists of our time. Her political campaigning can be linked to several of the most significant moments in 20th century British history and has relevance to many of the social and political issues we have today.
In a year when we are celebrating 100 years of some women getting the vote in the UK – it is vital that we also recognise and acknowledge the life and work of Kath Duncan - a working class woman who played just as significant a role in politics as The Pankhurst’s, Nancy Astor or Barbara Castle. In a world where we constantly strive for more equality this book has an important message about how society deals with freedom of speech and civil liberty. Kath Duncan’s story has finally been uncovered by Woolford and all of us really ought to read it.
The must read book- biography of the most important Working Class hero, Scot , Uk, LGBTQ Civil Rights activist the past 100 years. No other person male or female was as active at leadership level on so many campaigns between the Wars. Suffragette . member of the Leadership Communist party . Lead member 1926 General Strike National Union Unemployed Workers. Teachers Union Activist. Miners support activist .Invergordon Mutiny. Spanish Civil War. The Hunger Marches.Anti War activist. Anti Fascist who lead Cabel street protests. Support Union rights for workers in India. Established Friends of Russia. Was great friends with The Churchills and Clem Attlee. Taking on the Utility companies poor peoples tax. One of the first Woman to stand as a Parliamentary candidate Her 2 jail terms lead to first House of Commons Civil Rights debate and the establishment of The National Council Civil Liberties we call LIBERTY today. Direct Mail me direct for copies of the book if you don't like buying on line .or order from your local book shop.. I am also happy to give free talks on Kaths Life and activism you may also like my book-Play LIBERTY that tells just one chapter in her life of Activism her role in the UK Civil Rights movement .Its really important people buy this book, give as a perfect present. review so more working class heroes stories are told, especially Women.Will you help me bring Kath Duncan out of the shadows and restored to National Treasure Statues? We are taught about our Kings & Queens and tyrants , we are taught about Civil Rights USA, India and South Africa..So should we not be teaching ALL our kids and each other about the heroism of one ordinary women who became extraordinary? Click to buy ; The Last Queen of Scotland by Amazon.co.uk Learn more: https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/164378269X/ref=cm_sw_em_r_mt_dp_U_qDYXCb751B771
REVIEW: Kath Duncan: The Last Queen of Scotland by Ray Woolford
Many Women have been written out of the male-dominated history books. For every Amazonian queen, rebel girl, scandalous mistress, militant suffragette or persistent female pioneer that we now know about, there are hundreds more “hidden her stories” of extraordinary women which go totally uncelebrated.
Ray Woolford’s fascinating new book shines the spotlight on an unsung political heroine whom many will be unfamiliar with. Kath Duncan was one of the most important activists of the last century. She had connections with major politicians like Winston Churchill & George Lansbury, she stood for parliament, made inspiring speeches and dedicated her entire life to the causes she believed in, to the detriment of her own health. However, her leading role in left-wing and communist politics, her working class Scottish background and her gender, have all led to her story being marginalized. Her important contribution to the civil rights movement has been buried by the establishment since her death in 1954, at the height of the cold war.
Woolford’s book tells how Kath Duncan was a highly significant champion of the poor and the unemployed. She was a tireless campaigner for workers’ rights and spent 2 jail terms in Holloway prison for making political speeches. The National Council for Civil Liberties supported her in a landmark court case on the freedom of speech but not many history books will tell you that fact. Duncan also opposed fascism, took part in the Battle of Cable Street and was central to the Aid to Spain movement in the 1930’s. She was a key player in these things – so by rights she should be a household name or have a memorial or statue erected somewhere.
Woolford’s very well researched biography defiantly places Kath Duncan’s story right back into the public eye where it belongs, and restores her to her rightful position as one of the leading civil-rights activists of our time. Her political campaigning can be linked to several of the most significant moments in 20th century British history and has relevance to many of the social and political issues we have today.
In a year when we are celebrating 100 years of some women getting the vote in the UK – it is vital that we also recognise and acknowledge the life and work of Kath Duncan - a working class woman who played just as significant a role in politics as The Pankhurst’s, Nancy Astor or Barbara Castle. In a world where we constantly strive for more equality this book has an important message about how society deals with freedom of speech and civil liberty. Kath Duncan’s story has finally been uncovered by Woolford and all of us really ought to read it.
Review; From Steve Topple , activist , broadcaster, political commentator and writer for The Canary
"The Last Queen of Scotland is a veritable banquet of forgotten history mixed with Woolford's own love story for one of the greatest women most people have never heard of. Immediately accessible, the author has crafted an important and pertinent public record of a figure who encapsulates so many of today's struggles. The banishing of the mists of time from Kath Duncan's life could well stand as one of Woolford's finest achievements. 4.5/5"
Review;
Charlotte Hughes writes for The Morning Star and The Guardian and writes a very high profile blog The Poor Side of Life
I must be honest, I had heard very little about Kath until Ray introduced me to her, and I’m so thankful that he did. He takes you on the journey of Kath’s life, starting from her childhood and later her friendships with several people including Churchill.
Ray describes everything with such clarity and precision which made me feel like I know Kath and that I can certainly relate to her.
I was shocked to have fond that the little that I had previously read about Kath was inaccurate and Ray has gone to great lengths to correct this, and quite rightly so.
Kath was a truly amazing woman, fierce but kind, fair and understanding. She is an inspiration to all women worldwide.
I give this book a 5-star rating because it doesn’t get better than this and I fully recommend this book to people of all ages.
Thank you, Ray.
There is no doubt that the most important period for ordinary people in Scotland & England was between the Wars especially after the Russian revolution the first world war & the start of the second & whilst today many commentators talk about the similarities from the 1930s to the present age of Trump & rise of fascism again across Europe 1930s is an error we should all be reading up on. This extraordinary extensively researched book puts at its core the true story of Kath Duncan who was very different from the other Scot from Kirkcaldy that is still celebrated across the globe today the economist Adam Smith & yet Kath Duncan was probably the most important Scottish & UK civil rights activist the past 100 years whose imprisonment laid the ground work for The National Council of Civil Liberties that we call these days Liberty , which is also the title of another must read book about Kath Duncan Who until this book you probably knew nothing about . Kath Duncan Leader ,Suffragette , LGBT , civil rights campaigner ,leader Hunger Marches ,anti-war , anti-fascist , activist Spanish civil war ,support for Gandhi & Indian workers for union recognition, as well as taking on the utility companies ,the King ,Parliament & the entire legal system .
Kath Duncan ,may have been so small she needed a soap box to become her stage , but her glamour,courage & inspiration for many in 30s Britain lead many to call her the peoples Queen . In the year we celebrate 100 years of Women’s activism is it not time we bring Kath Duncan out of the shadows & let her shine with the stars . This book screams period drama .Make me a movie , but most of all raises i crucial question we should all be asking especially those in education & in the position to make statues & put up plaques .
Why do we celebrate Kings, Queens. Tyrants & the children of the elite who became activist ,but selectively erase working class heroes especially women like Kath Duncan whose activist won us all the freedoms we all enjoy today ? . You don’t have to love history or politics to enjoy this book The Last Queen of Scotland takes you on a ride through the world in 1930s through the life of Kath & puts the case why she is the most important Scot & UK civil rights activist past 100 years from Kirkcaldy to Hackney to Deptford & back.
i rate this book 5 stars , everyone should read this book and insure she becomes the household name she deserves to be !
Who will be first to erect a Statue to remember & give thanks to such a great activist of inspiration ,Courage , Kirkcaldy .Scotland .London ,Hackney ,Camden or Deptford Lewisham ?
The London Economic
ISBN numbers to buy Hard Back £12.99 9781643782706
ISBN numbers to buy Paperback £8.99 9781643782690
ISBN number ebook 9781643782713
Also good to buy the book- Play about Kath Duncans Civil Rights activism #Liberty
Please Direct Mail to contact Author for Talks etc and to request books to sell in your book shop or through your social media
Dear Damian Egan, Vicky Foxcroft, Len Duvall and All Lewisham Councillors.
There should be no place for 'poor doors' and segregated children’s play areas in Lewisham
We the undersigned wish to express our shock and dismay at the council’s planning committee meeting decision this week (planning application DC/18/106708 ) that gave consent for the developers of 1 Creekside Development to introduce the highly controversial and distasteful poor doors to this Deptford development. A 'poor door' is a separate entrance in a multi-unit housing development for those living in less expensive housing.
Poor doors discriminate against people on economic grounds and it is the first time they would be introduced to Deptford, an area that already has a back drop of gentrification concerns and activism. Yet the developer will be given land owned by Lewisham council and in part the tax payers of Lewisham borough and will also receive substantial publicly funded financial incentives. This financial input should include the councils say in insuring that 'poor doors' should in no way be funded in any way by tax payers funds as they are NOT a legal requirement and have no place in the fight to create harmonious communities, tackling discrimination and addressing the very real housing crisis.
Lewisham has a proud record of radical housing solutions from the 1960s being the pioneer of social council house building. Communal self build and co-operative housing schemes such as Sandford Housing Co-op whose success has inspired other housing projects across the UK and is still a huge success,whilst the borough’s history of fighting discrimination in ALL its forms has won International support and respect, which is very much in line with the foundation stones of the Labour Party.
In 2019 we believe there is no place for housing discrimination and call on Lewisham council to publicly state and insure Planning officers are clear that poor doors and segregation of children’s play areas that positively discriminate have NO place in Lewisham and the present consent given to the Developer for 1 Creekside which allows poor doors to be overturned, and Lewisham Council will pass a motion and state publicly that OUR borough will not have poor doors or segregated children’s play areas.
Please Sign the online Change .org Petition or if you are a group or organisation please DM to be included in the Letter going to ALL elected Lewisham politicians next week and the Press.
The most groundbreaking play of 2019 is about to open in London
A play based on a long-forgotten civil rights hero is about to open in London. But if you’re looking for something run-of-the-mill, then this isn’t for you; which is probably a very good thing. Because the show’s use of social media and its cast are positively groundbreaking.
Scottish born, Scottish bred?
Kath Duncan was a Scottish-born political activist during the early part of the 20th century. She lived and taught in south London. But then a judge imprisoned her for six months in 1932 for being a “disturber of the Peace of our Lord, the King”. Her crime? Singing the Labour Party anthem The Red Flag and speaking at a demonstration.
Duncan’s second arrest and subsequent trial in 1936 became one of the first court cases undertaken by the human rights organisation we now know as Liberty, and it also put into motion the laws over freedom of speech that we have today.
The world previously knew little about her life. That is until author, campaigner, and broadcaster Ray Woolford found her story. He has now turned it into a one-act play called Liberty. The Canary caught up with him to discuss long-forgotten heroes, gender fluidity and Duncan’s legacy.
Forgotten heroes
Duncan has an illustrious history. From being active in the suffragette movement to being at Cable Street, via politics within the Communist Party. She was also a key member of the selection process for people going to fight for the republic in the Spanish Civil War.
Interestingly, in 1917 she developed a lifelong friendship with Sir Winston Churchill. It was a friendship that ensured both British and Russian secret services would seek to recruit her as a spy. She declined both offers.
A “national treasure”?
But for Woolford there wasn’t an overriding aspect of Duncan’s life which drew him to her story. Rather, as he told The Canary, he always feels “cheated” when society forgets working class heroes:
In the year we remember 100 years of women’s activism and 100 years of the vote for some women, I always feel cheated that society always forgets the stories of working-class heroes that I can relate to, people who fought and won our battles – especially women. We leave them in the shadows. How could it be that Kath Duncan, who led so many civil rights and social justice campaigns, was ignored and erased from history? Should she not be restored to national treasure status for her amazing activism that actually won change?
Why do so many on the left talk about working class, and yet stay silent about the women like Kath that without this stage play and book would still be unknown? Why do we allow this? And why do we care so little about people once they’re six feet under? People who fought our battles? This play is so important; not because of Kath alone, but because it shows the power of one woman to take on the system and win time and time again, against the odds. Should this not be what we should be using as our inspiration today?
Charting history
Liberty, brought to the stage by Red Blouse Theatre, charts a brief period of Duncan’s life in 1930s Deptford, London. Opening with Duncan “on her soap box” after going out to support striking dockworkers in Woolwich, it quickly turns dark. Police brutally break up the protest, and subsequent events lead to Duncan’s first trial and eventual imprisonment.
The structure of Liberty is unconventional. Woolford opens with a newspaper clipping of Duncan’s first trial in 1932 and then moves on to give a potted history of her life in the third person. He also gives a history of Deptford, including the Peasant’s Revolt of 1381. After the potted histories, comes the actual play. It charts the dramatic events leading up to and during Duncan’s first imprisonment, including actual Hansard records of the debate in parliament about her at the time. Again, Woolford intersperses this with contemporaneous newspaper cuttings, adding to the stark reality of events.
But it’s perhaps the production and the cast which are breaking down the most barriers.
Groundbreaking theatre
Directing Liberty is Karen Douglas, founder of SpartaKi Theatre. The musical director is Rona Topaz; although Woolford is quick to point out it’s not a “musical”, but a “stunning production with songs”. He has written several himself for Liberty. Renowned fight/stunt director Ronin Traynor has staged the battle scenes.
Meanwhile, the gender fluid cast includes some well-known names.
Emily Carding takes the role of Duncan, leading a cast where women play many of the male roles. Danish-Brazilian actress Ana Luiza Ulsig features alongside Celebrity Big Brother winner and Hollyoaks actor Alex Reid and actress Amy Whitrod Brown. Meanwhile, Giorgio Borghes will bring to life his stage persona Claudia F to highlight the activism of Percy Duke in the 1930s. A judge gave Duke 12 months hard labour for wearing a dress in public.
But Woolford’s plans for audience engagement are equally interesting. One show will be live streamed to dozens of countries where being LGBTQI+ is still illegal. Also, parts of Liberty will be fed live onto social media for people to interact with. All in all, it makes for a staggeringly inventive experience.
No edge lost here
Woolford told The Canary:
There is no point writing or producing a great play if you are not willing to push boundaries. Nor if you’re unwilling to change not just the narrative but also how theatre is done for the masses. People forget that theatre used to be the way working class people heard news, shared stories and mobilised and organised against injustice.
That edge has been lost and many believe theatre is not for the masses now – it’s just for the elite. That’s why in ‘Liberty’ we are not only using social media in a way never used before in period drama, but we are also selling tickets from as little as £5. This is so people can afford to come once or twice and get inspired. We hope people leave the theatre not just singing songs from the show, but ready to reengage politically with their communities; just as Kath would have wanted them to.
Giving back
But Liberty isn’t just about Duncan, the theatre and history. It’s also about giving something back to the community of Deptford. At the same time as the play runs, Woolford’s other venture, the Deptford Heritage Festival is on.
All profits from the play and the festival will fund a school holiday project run by the local community. It keeps children fed and safe during the school holidays, and which, despite growing need, receives no government or council funding. But it’s a damning indictment of the state of the UK that theatre is funding school holiday activity. Woolford, who has been running a foodbank for many years, has seen a drop in donations of late.
“Exhausted with giving”
He told The Canary:
Sadly, ‘giving’ has exhausted people. We put on events, stage the Deptford Heritage Festival and this play ‘Liberty’. It’s all so we can have a secure income in the age of cuts and austerity. We want to plan projects and ensure every penny we raise can help and support the maximum number of people in the most cohesive way possible. Many projects struggle because they don’t have a cash flow. This play will literally change and save lives; if people come and see it. That’s what community activism is about. But we must change the way we campaign and raise funds for our causes as money gets tighter.
Challenging history while making it
Woolford has high hopes for Liberty. But they’re not just for the play.:
I hope everyone will leave ‘Liberty’ feeling empowered. This was an ordinary Scot from Kirkcaldy; admittedly who was better off than most. But as a teacher Kath saw the impact of social justice and inequality through the kids she taught. She was determined to make a stand and do her bit. The fact she fought and won almost every campaign she was involved in makes her not ordinary, but extraordinary. Yet every one of use could be Kath Duncan in the way so many identified with ‘I Daniel Blake’.
We need to challenge the history the establishment teaches us, and ensure more working-class hero’s stories are told through stage and film.
It’s taken 80-plus years to get Kath Duncan’s story told. And yet it’s our story, our LGBTQI+ and our civil rights history and successful activism. Why is it in the country that claims to be the capital and centre of civil rights is our own history never spoken of, never talked about, never remembered? This play is the story of so many that fought, marched and served jail time before us. For us, it is easier than it was for them. But the issues are not dissimilar.
Liberty looks set to be groundbreaking. But more than that, it’s a play that could literally change people’s lives, in more ways than one.
Get involved
Buy tickets for Liberty and the Deptford Heritage Festival.
Liberty is running from 14-28 February at Zion Baptist Chapel, New Cross Road, Deptford SE14 6TJ .
