Vale Rawlings and ‘the Fly-Catcher Girls’ with Elaine Pritchard

For a few weeks in the summer of 1914, the name of Vale Rawlings was familiar to newspaper readers across the country. The story of his support for a group of striking teenage factory girls in Burton-on-Trent – and his subsequent imprisonment at Derby Gaol – pushed the news of an impending world war off the main pages of regional and national newspapers.

Known locally as ‘the workers’ friend’, Vale had been instrumental in recruiting members to the fledgling Workers’ Union. He was also a key figure in securing wage increases for unskilled brewery labourers which put an estimated £30,000 a year into the pockets of Burton’s working class. He had also spoken out publicly against police brutality to strikers in the Dublin lock-out.

In this talk, Elaine explores whether these factors led to a revenge campaign against him. Was he framed by Burton police? Was he later singled out for harsh treatment in World War One? Did a vendetta continue even after his death in 1940?

After rediscovering Vale’s story two years ago, former journalist Elaine has written a play about Vale, called ‘Strikers!’, which was staged in Burton in December 2024. She is currently writing a book about Vale’s life and times. All profits and Royalties from these projects are split between two local charities: YMCA Burton and SARAC (Sexual Abuse Rape Advice Centre). These are causes that Elaine, and Vale’s descendants, believe he would have wanted to support.

About Elaine Pritchard

Between 1981 and 2010, Elaine worked for local, regional and national newspapers and led the team that won an Interactive BAFTA for a web-based educational project called Headline History. She ran her own writing business for 11 years and since retiring at the end of 2021 she has focused on raising awareness of ‘forgotten’ stories. She is the author of ‘Labour of Love, the Orton and Spooner Story’, which has so far raised more than £4,700 for Burton and District Mind.

Suitable for Adults (18+). Booking essential. Limited places.

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