On Saturday 24th April 2021 The Matchgirls Memorial will be marking 150 years since the Match Tax Protest of 1871. The protest saw match factory workers and employers alike, protesting against an unfair match tax that was proposed by the Chancellor of the Exchequer, Robert Lowe.
Hundreds of Bryant and May factory workers took to the streets to march from the East End to Parliament in protest. They were successful in overturning the tax and we want to celebrate the day and mark the victory on social media.
The Matchgirls Memorial is asking for support to their campaign to celebrate this often forgotten piece of East End working class history.
To mark day they will be sharing images of people holding a lit match on social media along with the hashtag #StartsWithASpark. This action will demonstrate the 'power of a single act'.
** If you would like to take part, all you need to do, ASAP, is take a selfie/photo of yourself holding a lit match and send your image, along with your social media name/handle to matchtax150@gmail.com **
If you are able to take part, the Matchgirls Memorial will then get in touch nearer the time to give you more information and how to support the social media campaign on the day!
If you would like to make a donation to the campign for a statue to honour the Matchgirls and their victorious Strike of 1888 you can do so HERE.
Find out more about the Matchgirls Memorial at