GC3MBHP Mary Macarthur Monument (Traditional Cache) in West Midlands, United Kingdom created by adamandbeckychater

This cache has been archived.

adamandbeckychater: Sadly the structure which the cache was attached to has been removed, so we are archiving this one.

GC3MBHP ▼

A cache by adamandbeckychater Message this owner

Hidden : 7/1/2012

Difficulty:

Terrain:

Size: Size: micro (micro)

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Geocache Description:

Mary Macarthur Monument

Nothing to lose but their chains
This cache in placed in tribute to Mary Macarthur who in 1910 led the womain chainmakers of Cradley Heath in a historic strike for decent wages and working conditions. A monument has recently been created to Mary Macarthur which stands just over the road from this cache.

In 1910 Cradley Heath was a town of chainmakers and very little else. They worked in harsh conditions for wages which were often not enough to keep them from starvation. Making chains which would last a lifetime and more, these amazing people were proud and strong. Paid by the weight of the chains they made no chainmakers were far from poverty but the worst suffering were the women. These women were called the white slaves of England due to the fact that the gruelling work which they endured paid them often not enough to feed their family. In 1910 led by Mary Macarthur, they went on strike in a heroic and daring bid to win a minimum wage. They fought against cunning and deceptive chainmasters to establish a fair rate of pay that they might support a family. They won their battle and established a minimum wage which has influenced politics and workers' rights ever since. The money raised from the strike was used to build the Workers Institute in Cradley Heath which has since been moved to the Black Country Living Museum.

The momument was created by local artist Luke Perry and is well worth a closer look. Some of the text for this listing has been copied from Luke's website www.chainmakersmonument.com with his kind permission. Further information on both Mary Macarthur and the 1910 strike can be found at www.cradleylinks.co.uk/1910strike.htm

About the cache

You are looking for a magnetic nano container hidden in the car park opposite the Mary Macarthur Monument. Please bring your own pen. This cache can be done as a cache 'n' dash and the terrain is both wheelchair and pushchair friendly. Any problems with the cache please leave a note or contact us through our profile or directly at adamandbeckychater@gmail.com

Parking is available right next to the cache, although this is no longer free so please check the signs!