Papers of Cyril Collard (b.1931), trade unionist [Association of Teachers in Technical Institutions, Solihull Branch]

Solihull Branch circulars, minutes, reports, 1963-1976; Council meetings and conference minutes, 1969-1972; correspondence, 1963-1971; ATTI West Midlands Division circulars, 1969-1972; minutes, 1962-1965; reports, 1961-1965; miscellaneous issues of the ATTI publication, 'The Technical Journal', 1968-1975; article by C. Collard relating to Birmingham women penworkers.

Cyril L. Collard was born in 1931 in Saltney, Flintshire. His early years were spent in Chester and York. Collard spent his early career in the building and construction industry; first as an apprentice bricklayer and later as a plasterer. During his National Service, 1952-1954, he served with the Royal Army Medical Corps in Dartmoor, where he achieved the rank of corporal. It was during this time that he began to develop what was to become a life-long interest in the study of history. Collard was encouraged by his wife to attend adult education classes and during the next 7 years he passed 5 'O' levels and 4 'A' levels. In 1967 he was offered a place at Lancaster University to read Politics, History and Economics. He continued to work as a plasterer while studying.

In 1971 Collard moved to Solihull where at the age of 40 he took up his first teaching post, teaching history and economics at the Solihull College of Technology. Collard became involved in local political life and along with other newcomers to the Solihull College he joined the local of the ATTI where he swiftly became secretary and then chairman for a brief period. The Union's college work involved negotiating with the principal and local authority officials, and members of the Solihull branch also attended regional meetings. Collard represented the Union at meetings of various local organisations, including the Birmingham Trades Council (BTC). The BTC was the oldest existing trades council in the country. Its meetings were attended by trade unionists, branch secretaries and shop stewards of the Midlands car industry. Councillors, local Members of Parliament and the Bishop of Birmingham were known to address the Council, and in the event of disputes, the BTC provided a platform for activists to speak.

Along with trade unionism, Collard continued to develop his interest in history and in particular he was captivated by the social and economic history of Birmingham. In 1979 he completed a Masters in Social Sciences at the University of Birmingham, writing his thesis on 'Unemployment in Birmingham. Policy and Reaction 1900-1914'.

The Association of Teachers in Technical Institutions was a union based largely in further education colleges and the former polytechnics. ATTI was formed in 1904 and ATCDE in 1943 from an amalgamation of the Training College Association and the Council of Principals. The Association merged with the Association of Teachers in Colleges and Departments of Education, a teacher educators' organisation in 1976 to form NATFHE, the University and College Lecturers' Union.

Reference: Information from Cyril Collard, and 'About NATFHE: Our History' (http://www.natfhe.org.uk/abou/abou0005.html). Accessed June 2002.

The collection is uncatalogued.

This collection is available to researchers by appointment at the Modern Records Centre, University of Warwick. See http://www2.warwick.ac.uk/services/library/mrc/using/

This collection was deposited in the Centre by Cyril Collard in a series of deposits from 1977-1988.

Link to Modern Records Centre catalogue description: http://mrc-catalogue.warwick.ac.uk/records/COD

Copyright/Reproduction There are no restrictions on the use of this archive, apart from the requirements of copyright law.

Further deposits are not expected.

A collection of election leaflets has been deposited by Collard in Birmingham Central Library.