Cartoonists, the Socialist Press and the Miners' Strike: South Yorkshire Festival
2025-08-10 14:00 - 15:00 (Europe/London) | Wortley Hall, Sheffield, S35 7DB
Nick Jones, the former BBC Industrial Correspondent who covered the 1984-85 miners’ strike, is speaking at the South Yorkshire Festival on Sunday 10 August in the Unison Room at 2.00pm. The topic is Cartoonists, the Socialist Press and the Miners’ Strike.

He will be talking about how cartoonists from the left press – Labour Weekly, Morning Star, Militant, Socialist Worker and Newsline – tried to boost support during the strike and fight back against the highly paid cartoonists of the Conservative press.

Nick Jones is the author of The Art of Class War: Newspaper Cartoonists and the 1984-85 Miners’ Strike. He drew on his huge archive of newspapers from the strike to collect hundreds of cartoons which appear in the book. The archive has now been donated to Sheffield University, which also has Arthur Scargill’s.

Nick Jones believes that the work of cartoonists produced for these socialist publications was widely admired within the labour and trade union movement and many were reproduced on posters.

Jane Ingham will also be speaking at the Wortley Hall event about the recently published book Need Not Greed, a collection of cartoons by Alan Hardman for Militant. Alan was born in Barnsley into a mining family and was proud of his Yorkshire roots. He trained as a lithographic printer, completing a six-year apprenticeship in Barnsley. But his real skill lay in the political cartoons he regularly produced for Militant conveying quick, simple messages on political and trade union topics.

Both Need Not Greed and The Art of Class War will be on sale at the public meeting organised by the Campaign for Press and Broadcasting Freedom (North). Admission is free.

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For further information or to interview the speakers, contact Granville Williams 07790958270 or email cpbfnorth@outlook.com

August branch social - Halifax
2025-08-13 18:15 - 21:00 | Three Pigeons, 1 Sun Fold, South Parade, Halifax, HX1 2LX
Everyone is welcome to join us for our August branch social – whether you’re currently a member or not.

We will start at the Three Pigeons, but may head on to the Piece Hall and Graystone Unity. We’ll update the WhatsApp group when we move on to a new venue!

If you RSVP below, you’ll get an email with the details and can easily add it to your calendar with location included.

Vigil for journalists killed in Gaza
2025-09-01 17:30 - 18:00 | Leeds Workers Memorial Stone, Victoria Garden, Leeds, LS1 3AB
We are holding a vigil for our fallen colleagues who have been killed while doing their jobs in Gaza since October 2023.

The vigil will take place at Victoria Garden, the Workers Memorial, outside Leeds City Art Gallery, on Monday 1st September at 5:30pm. The vigil is expected to last 30-60 minutes.

We will make a short speech, lay a wreath by the Workers’ Memorial, and read aloud the names of the journalists killed.

If you are able to print any of the posters below to bring with you, please do. Otherwise, just bring yourself.

NUJ vigil posters in solidarity with journalists killed in GazaDownload

NUJ Leeds & West Yorkshire Branch Meeting - September
2025-09-10 19:00 - 20:30 | Zoom
All branch members are welcome – and encouraged – to join this online branch meeting.

The full agenda and Zoom link can be found in the Meetings area.

October social in Leeds
2025-10-08 18:00 - 21:00 | Crowd of Favours, 4-12 Harper St, Leeds, LS2 7EA
Join us for our next branch social, this time in Leeds.

Socials are an opportunity to meet and chat without any of the branch business getting in the way! It’s an informal chance to get to know fellow journalists in the area.

This month, we’re meeting at Crowd of Favours in Leeds, which is near the bus station and Kirkgate Market.

All welcome – members or not.

RSVPs not necessary, but useful to gauge numbers.

NUJ Leeds & West Yorkshire Branch Meeting - November
2025-11-12 19:00 - 20:30 | Zoom
All branch members are welcome – and encouraged – to join this online branch meeting.

Details of the guest speaker and full agenda to follow.

Christmas social
2025-12-10 18:00 - 20:30 | Brewery Wharf Tavern, 3 Brewery Place, Leeds, LS10 1NE
Come along to the NUJ Leeds and West Yorkshire Christmas social at the Brewery Wharf Tavern in Leeds.

It’s our last social of the year, and as always, everyone is welcome. An opportunity to meet and chat without any formal NUJ business getting in the way!

NUJ Leeds & West Yorkshire Branch Meeting - January
2026-01-14 19:00 - 20:30 | Zoom
All branch members are welcome – and encouraged – to join this online branch meeting.

Read the full agenda and reports in the Members’ Area (login required).

NUJ branch social in Wakefield
2026-02-11 18:00 - 21:00 | Black Rock, 19 Cross Square, Wakefield, WF1 1PQ
Join us for our next branch social in Wakefield at the Black Rock pub.

Socials are an opportunity to meet and chat without any of the branch business getting in the way! It’s an informal chance to get to know fellow journalists and members in the area.

All welcome – members or not.

AGM 2026
2026-03-11 18:30 - 21:30
Join us for the branch AGM in the City Room at Leeds Playhouse where we’ll be welcoming a panel of guest speakers to talk about the future of local news.

Peg Alexander, freelance presenter, journalist, broadcaster and non-profit CEO

John Baron, editor of the West Leeds Dispatch and staff member at the Independent Community News Network

Abi Whistance, a former Yorkshire Evening Post reporter and now editor of Mill Media’s The Post

We’ll also elect your committee and other branch roles for 2026/27 and present any life memberships.

There will be time for socialising before and after the meeting. A buffet will be provided, including vegan and vegetarian options.

Join us from 6.30pm for a 7pm start. The event will end at 9.30pm.

Accessibility details are available on the Playhouse website. You can also email nujleedswy@gmail.com to discuss any other access requirements.

Please book your place below as soon as you can so we can order the right amount of food! Please reply to the email to let us know any dietary requirements.
