Talks, Discussion & Pop-up Exhibition

In the decade of Thatcherism, with Cruise missiles on the streets, mass unemployment and the Miners’ Strike, small seeds of optimism were planted by ordinary people setting up co-operatives around East Lancashire.

We celebrate 50 years of the pioneering People in Common housing co-operative with this special event. Talks, discussions and Q&A will feature former members of People in Common as well as special guest speakers:
Anne Marie Wrigley – New Era & Selnet
Gordon Benson – Former Lancashire CDA

The pop-up exhibition will look back at that subversive half-century of People in Common through archive photos, documents and designs.

Free admission with donations invited. Refreshments provided. Save your seat in advance by booking here: Optimism in the 80s Tickets, Sat, Nov 15, 2025 at 3:00 PM | Eventbrite

A Pendle Radicals event, supported by funding from Burnley Words Festival. Burnley Words Festival is delivered by Culturapedia in partnership with Burnley Leisure and Culture, and funded by Arts Council England.