£8.50 / person
2026 marks 100 years since the General Strike. The only General Strike in UK history, it saw three million workers walk out between 4-12 May 1926.
Among these millions were workers in Oxford: railway, print and building workers. They walked out in solidarity with miners facing a wage cut and a longer working day. Their actions brought areas of the city to a standstill.
In 1984-85, thousands of miners went on strike over proposed pit closures. The year-long strike was sustained in part by solidarity efforts across the country. In Oxford, despite geographical distance from the coalmining heartlands, collective efforts generated extraordinary support for striking miners.
Through two performances based on historical accounts, these two episodes in Oxford’s history – and the links between them - will be brought to light.
The event will feature live music from the Sea Green Singers and a paid bar.
Based on written and oral histories, records of the Oxford & District Trades Union Council, and newspaper archives, this performance will draw on the experiences of those in Oxford who took part in the 1926 General Strike. The performance will be presented by a group of narrators and performers, who will give voice to the sequence of events and the people involved over the nine days of the Strike. The performance will be accompanied by songs performed by the Sea Green Singers.
Based on the book ‘The Miners’ Strike in Oxford’, this will tell the story of the extraordinary efforts made in the city to support the miners, including campaigning, mass picketing and fundraising. Featuring singing from the Sea Green Singers. This is a reprisal of an event first held at Florence Park Community Centre in 2025 to mark the 40th anniversary of the Miners’ Strike.
Tickets cost £8.50 and can be booked online or at the Museum Shop.
This event is held to commemorate the centenary of the General Strike, alongside further events organised by Oxford & District Trades Union Council. On 2 May, the traditional May Day march will take place. On 9 May, there will be a display at the annual Levellers’ Day event in Burford, Oxfordshire.
Event tickets are non-refundable if you choose to cancel your booking. A refund will only be issued if the event is cancelled or if there is a significant change to the advertised programme.
The Museum is accessible for wheelchair users, buggies and baby carriers. There is step-free, level entry access to the Town Hall via the entrance closest to Carfax (to the left of the main steps as you face the Town Hall). Inside the Museum, Museum Makers is accessible via a platform lift and lift to the basement level. Accessible toilets are available in the Museum (close to Museum Makers) and in the Town Hall on the ground floor, before entering the Museum.
Please contact the Museum team if you'd like to talk to a member of staff about your access requirements. Further access information can be found on our website: https://museumofoxford.org/plan-your-visit/access
Museum of Oxford, Oxford Town Hall, St Aldate’s, Oxford, OX1 1BX
Where it's happening:
Museum of Oxford