Phil The Printer

A rainy afternoon myself and Martin Wright walk pass the Broadwater Farm Estate as Martin begins recalling memories of the political climate around the time of PC Blakelocks murder as we make our way to Phil The Printers.

Both Ian and Martin describe the role of the printing press as the “aristocracy of the working class” and they also speak highly of the need to meet Phil to grasp a better understanding of the 1980’s and Class War. Within the book Phil plays a pivotal character in the creation and realisation of the newspaper and his archives pay testament to that fact. To the back drop of reggae music Phil tells me stories of Calverts Press while taking me through stacks of old political zines, photographs and flyers evoking memories in Martin as a wide grin beams with fond thoughts.

Some of those gems included the original Class War stickers created by Sean Mason (above) and the “Vermin In Ermine” flyer (below) which was handed out at the march on Biorex, bombing badly due to “speciesism”.

The archive of treasures is immense and a return visit is planned. This time I get to see old photographs of most of the key people mentioned in the book – which is a massive inspiration in being able to formulate the characters in my mind as I write the first draft of the script. Phil’s input into my research is priceless.

Having seen the development of Class War from it’s original paper and founding mob transforming into a federation and later organisation over a decade of social disorder, Phil has a wide and paramount perspective of the subject and period. His collection of Class War newspapers is an impressive archive and much needed source of research for the film and no doubt I will spend more time discovering gems in his dusty vaults. And which is Phil’s favourite issue? See below: