MPX5124445: The army escort a food convoy past commuters making their way to work near The Bank in the City of London, on the 9th day of the General Strike. The national dispute came about after negotiations between the miners and mine owners failed over wages and the strike began on 3 May 1926. Millions obeyed the strike call, bringing transport systems to a halt while newspapers were not printed. The government responding by using volunteers to run trains and buses and sent in troops to move supplies from the London docks. There were clashes between police and crowds in many areas and at least 4000 strikers were arrested. There were attacks on buses and trains, including the derailing of the Flying Scotsman. The strike was called off unilaterally by the TUC on 12 May with no guarantees of fair treatment for the miners who fought on to bitter defeat in October. 11th May 1926 (b/w photo) / Bridgeman Images
MPX5125021: The Bristol Type 170 Freighter was designed with the unique feature of opening nose doors, which made it eminently suitable as a cargo aircraft. It was not long before Silver City Airways were attracted to the idea of starting cross-channel services for cars between England and France. Its first flight was at Filton, Bristol on 2 December 1945 following which a total of 241 of all marks were eventually constructed. Pictured is a Swallow Dorretti sports car being loaded into a Silver City Airways aircraft, most likely from their base of Ferryfield in Kent., c. 1955 (b/w photo) / Bridgeman Images
MPX5125848: There are no jokes about women drivers from the two latest recruits on a Midland Red driving course in Leamington - for they are women. They are the first of a group of 10 bidding to become the first women to earn their place behind the wheel at the Leamington garage. Miss Althea Litwinski. and Miss Alma Watkis have both been conductresses with the company for a number of years, and have now decided to exchange their ticket machines for the driving wheel. Miss Litwinski, of Avenue Road, Leamington, explained: "It is no joke. We are already doing a man's job conducting, so I do not see why we should not drive as well. "I have never driven anything before I have only ridden a bike but it does not worry me. There is no reason why women should not be every bit as good as men." Miss Watkis, of Warwick Place, Leamington, agreed. "I am looking forward to driving. Once we have got through the six-week course we will be a match for any man." They admitted they had taken some good-humoured banter from their male colleagues, but they are determined to show their driving is no laughing matter. The garage's chief instructor, Mr. Douglas Newey, said that if they pass the course they would be as good as any male bus driver "and 100 per cent. better than the average motorist." "This is a really tough course -And no concessions will be made because they are women. "If, after the first week, we do not think they have the makings of drivers they will be dropped. We give them our own rigorous test and this is followed by the company test and finally the Traffic Commissioners put them through a further one. "If they get through all that they are real drivers and will be able to drive any vehicle in this or any other garage," said Mr. Newey. 18th May 1971 (b/w photo) / Bridgeman Images
MPX5125881: A Musicians' Union dispute blacked out the recording of a BBC Christmas show by Andy Williams at Warwick University. Musicians refused to play for him and 1,300 fans were told the show was cancelled. But the 50-year-old star decided some sort of show should go on. Backed by a pianist instead of the anticipated full concert orchestra, he gave a 45-minute stage performance. And Midlands-born comedian Lenny Henry, who was also due to have been in the show, stayed on to add another 25-minute act. 18th October 1981 (b/w photo) / Bridgeman Images
MPX5125917: Singer Vince Hill who is performing in "Tonights the Night" at the Talk of the Town Theatre, seen here back stage during a break in rehearsals on the stage door telephone ringing his wife at home. She is expecting their first child within the next few days. 23rd September 1971 (b/w photo) / Bridgeman Images
MPX5125935: The Maypole Grocery store in Warwick is to close down at the end of the week after more than 50 years trading in the town. Allied Suppliers Ltd., the group owning the store, have decided to cease operations in the Elizabethan buildings at 25, Market Place, because it is no longer a viable financial proposition. The staff employed at the shop will be offered other jobs in the area. A spokesman for Allied Suppliers in London said: "The premises are not big enough for the trade we do today. The rates and costs of the building do not justify it. It's an attractive building but it's just not practicable." He said the group would be on the look-out for more suitable premises in the town. 30th December 1974 (b/w photo) / Bridgeman Images