It was only three years ago, on the 80th anniversary of The Battle of Bexley Square, that a bright red plaque was finally attached to the old Salford Town Hall reading `This plaque is laid to commemorate the Battle of Bexley Square which took place on 1st October 1931. A poignant moment in history where Trade Unionist rallied to protest against injustice to the working class people of Salford'.
The Battle of Bexley Square took place when 10,000 Salford people marched on the old Town Hall demanding no cuts to unemployment benefit, no cuts to teachers' salaries, free coal for the unemployed in the winter and free milk for children under five.
As the march reached Chapel Street it was cordoned off, and when organisers asked for a deputation to be allowed through to put their demands to Salford Council, the protesters were attacked by mounted police previously hidden behind the Town Hall. Meanwhile, plain clothes and uniformed police attacked the demonstrators with batons.
Present on the day were Eddie Frow, co-founder of the Working Class Movement Library, who was beaten up and imprisoned, and legendary songwriter (Dirty Old Town et al) and theatre activist Ewan MacColl.
This week, the plaque disappeared, with people believing that it was stolen, although the original plaque on the opposite side of the building's entrance, proclaiming the old Town Hall a heritage site was still firmly affixed this afternoon.
"Most people are outraged" said Lincoln, proprietor at the Deli Lama Cafe on the corner of Bexley Square which was today celebrating its second birthday with a packed Reggae Lama event.
"I first heard about it on Friday, someone told me the plaque had gone" he added "It's a piece of Salford history – no-one from Salford would have done it. It looks likely it's been nicked but that kind of heritage should be left for the people."
Anyone knowing the whereabouts of the plaque please get in touch info@salfordstar.com
For a full background of The Battle of Bexley Square see previous Salford Star article - click here
For details of the old Town Hall being turned into posh flats - click here
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