11 January 2008:

The Working Class Movement Library is saddened to announce the sudden death of its co-founder Ruth Frow, at the age of 85, on Friday 11 January 2008.

Ruth and her husband Eddie founded the library in their home in Old Trafford in the mid 1950s. For years they travelled Britain in their holidays with a caravan, collecting items that few then valued. Eventually the collection filled every room in their house. In 1987 the Library, now a Charitable Trust, was offered a new home in Jubilee House on The Crescent in Salford, where it now fills 40 rooms.

The Library is now recognised nationally and internationally as one of Britain's most important collections of working class history. It was recently awarded a significant Heritage Lottery Fund grant which will help realise Ruth and Eddie's vision for the collection. At the time, Ruth said: 'This project will ensure that the collections are preserved and accessible for generations to come'.

Margaret Cohen, chair of the library's trustees, said: 'Ruth and Eddie made a unique contribution to ensuring that the history of the world's first industrial working class was rescued and not hidden in university libraries'.

Details of a celebration of her life will be announced.

The Working Class Movement Library is delighted to announce that its application for a Heritage Lottery Fund grant has been successful. The Fund has awarded £313,000 to the Library over the next three years for its project 'The Past Meets the Present: a History of Working Lives'.

The project will bring to life the Library's unique collections and make them accessible to the whole community. The archives, books and documents that comprise the Library tell the story of working people's fight for social justice and political rights over the last 200 years. The collections give rich insights into 'history from below', offering a view that is too often left out of conventional histories which focus on kings and battles.

The Library will particularly focus on encouraging use of its collections by schoolchildren, especially in the local Salford area, and by working people involved in lifelong learning activities, encouraging both these groups to use and contribute to working class heritage. Money has also been awarded to make the entrance hall a more welcoming space for drop-in visitors.

The Working Class Movement Library was founded by Ruth and Edmund Frow in their home in Old Trafford in the mid 1950s. For years they travelled Britain in their holidays with a caravan, collecting items that few then valued. Eventually the collection filled every room in their house. In 1987 the Library, now a Charitable Trust, was offered a new home in Jubilee House, a former nurses' home, where it now fills 40 rooms.

The Library is now recognised nationally and internationally as one of Britain's most important collections of working class history. It hosts banners, posters, books, pamphlets, photographs, films and much else. Friends and supporters of the library include Kate Atkinson, Sheila Hancock, Tristram Hunt, Siobhan Redmond, Maxine Peake and Alan Plater.

Eddie Frow died in 1997 aged 91 but Ruth Frow, now in her mid 80s, is still very involved with the Library on a day to day basis. Ruth said: 'The Library is unique. It is a focus for the community, and for those interested in the history of working people nationwide and worldwide. This project will ensure that the collections are preserved and accessible for generations to come'.

Actress Maxine Peake, a supporter of the Library, added: 'This is great news. I'm over the moon. The Library is a very special place with an amazing archive. I know this project will put many more working people in touch with their rich history'.

Peter Fellows, Heritage Lottery Fund Casework Manager for the North West, said: 'Salford's working class movement helped shape society as we know it and today's news gives people a real chance to explore a hidden history. We are passionate about giving people the chance to find out more about the heritage on their doorstep and take inspiration from their cultural roots; this project is a great example of what can be done'.

Past, Present and Future - DVD

The library has produced its first DVD entitled Working Class Movement Library; Past Present Future.

The DVD tells the story of how and why  the library was founded by Ruth and Eddie and includes some rare footage of interviews with them from 1987 and 1990. It also looks at what goes on in the library nowadays,  featuring interviews with staff, volunteers, readers and supporters.

The DVD was written,  produced,  filmed and directed   by John Crumpton, and edited by Faisal Qureshi. The music was provided by Steve Hopkins while actor Christopher Eccleston agreed to do the commentary as his contribution to promoting the library.

It  premiered at the Salford Film Festival in November 2005  and has been widely praised as capturing the spirit of the library and the integrity of its founders, Ruth and Eddie.

A free copy was sent to all Friends of the library, while Jeremy Dear, General Secretary of the NUJ (who appears in the DVD) has sent a copy to all members of the General Council of the TUC. It is now being used to promote the library with screenings held at last year's NUJ and BECTU conferences and copies being sent to other trades unions asking them to affiliate to the library.

A small number of copies are available to the general public in return for a minimum donation of £10.00.

John Crumpton has his own website : http://www.johncrumpton.co.uk/