Jarrow March

Year 5 pupils from St Bede’s Prep School recently learnt about the Jarrow March that took place in October 1936 against the unemployment and extreme poverty suffered in North East England.

In order to get a real understanding of the rather adult ideas behind the Jarrow Crusade, Year 5 set about making huge protest banners with slogans such as ‘Daddies must fight or we starve’. They were next seen in flat caps and shawls, marching very vocally from Jarrow (St Bede’s School!) to Marble Arch (The Hollow!), voicing their complaints about their situation to any passing walkers. The following chant was heard: ‘I know three trades, I speak three languages, I fought for three years and I have had no work three 3 months but I only want one job’. At their first stop they were refreshed by tea and a plain biscuit or soup and a Jacob’s Cream Cracker.

The St Bede’s pupils loved every minute of it and will definitely not be forgetting the experience and purpose of the Jarrow Crusade.