Oldhamer Clem and other men and women from Greater Manchester who defended democracy in the Spanish Civil War are highlighted at events across city

Men and women from Greater Manchester who fought for democracy during the 1930s Spanish Civil War, and supported other movements such as the Kinder Scout mass trespass for the right to roam, were highlighted in three days of events at venues across Manchester.

The activities were linked to the International Brigade Memorial Trust (IBMT), which held its national annual general meeting in Manchester attended by visitors from England, Scotland, Wales, Ireland and Spain. 

Visitors included relatives of people who fought in the Spanish Civil War and relatives of refugee children who fled the Basque country in the 1930s and came to Britain including north-west England.

The trust is a charity which looks after memorials for volunteers across Britain and Ireland who joined the International Brigade or supported the 'Aid Spain' movement in the 1930s. 

They fought to support the democratically elected government of Spain against a military coup by General Francisco Franco.

 The Franco coup was supported by Hitler's Germany and Mussolini's Italy with troops, arms and aircraft. 

So the Spanish Civil War is often seen as 'the first battle of the Second World War' because of the international issues.

Volunteer troops from across the world joined the International Brigades between 1936 and 1938.

They were supported by other volunteers, such as nurses, while further aid came from supporters who remained at home.

In Manchester, volunteers included Clem Beckett, from Saddleworth and Oldham.

He was an engineer and a speedway cyclist in the 1930s who later joined the International Brigade and ultimately gave his life in the Spanish Civil War.

He raced at speedway tracks including White City, Audenshaw and Belle Vue in Manchester.

Another volunteer was a nurse called Madge Addy.

She looked after injured International Brigade troops in Spain and later became a spy for the Allies against Nazi Germany.

A memorial plaque is now fixed to her former home in Chorlton and there are hopes that a new road will be named after her.

She also had links to Salford.

Today, across Greater Manchester, there are International Brigade memorials at places including Manchester Central Library, Oldham Parish Church and the new Droylsden Library in Tameside.

The Lord Mayor of Manchester, Coun Donna Ludford, and Consort Coun Sean McHale officially opened the IBMT annual general meeting at Manchester Conference Centre and Pendulum Hotel near Manchester University.

The Lord Mayor welcomed visitors and was presented with a new book about Madge Addy, written by Manchester author Chris Hall, and a replica International Brigade banner.

Other writers at the events included Rob Hargreaves, who has written a new book about Oldhamer Clem.

Rob recently spoke at Oldham Library about all the Oldham men in the International Brigade and will speak in Saddleworth this winter.

Oldham Gallery held an International Brigade exhibition a few years ago and there are hopes to display some artefacts in the new Oldham heritage centre.

Oldham Parish Church is home to an International Brigade memorial.

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