Sectional model, scale 1:12, showing Smiths' patent oil burning installation (c.1924) in a typical boiler room of a mercantile ship, including oil handling plant and storage tank, in glazed case (see note), made by Swinney Bros. Ltd., Morpeth, 1924-1929. Model of oil burning installation on a ship 1924-1929
Interview with Mark Beresford recorded by Nat Palethorpe on 15 November 2024 at Vision Northumberland, Morpeth, Northumberland. Duration: 2 hours 50 minutes 15 seconds. [Start of interview, track 01] Childhood in Northumberland, school, early awareness of same gender attraction, the absence of LGBTQIA+ sex education, and the harm caused by treating same gender attraction as taboo. He reflects on Section 28, safe sex education, and later RMT LGBTQIA+ Advisory Committee work challenging misinformation, supplying condoms to RMT members, and engaging schools. [00:14:53] MB describes leaving school at 16 and joining British Rail as a Junior Railwayman Messenger in the Cambois area, delivering mail to signal boxes and learning office roles in a largely middle-aged, white, straight, male workplace. He recalls isolation as a young gay man, closeted railway workers, family attitudes, being outed, homophobic name-calling and graffiti, propositions from older closeted colleagues, and stereotypes linking gay men with predatory behaviour. [00:29:00] MB discusses training as a signaller, working in Sunderland, meeting his current partner, joining the RMT union LGBTQIA+ Advisory Committee, helping organise a queer conference in Newcastle in 1985, taking cis-gendered heterosexual [cis-het] colleagues to gay bars, and supporting closeted gay colleagues, including those in cis-het marriages. [00:41:19] He describes being open at work, challenging misogyny and homophobia, working at Network Rail (NR), joining an NR equalities working group, and collaborating with the British Transport Police LGBTQIA+ group. He reflects on improved policies, inductions, reporting systems for queerphobic abuse, mental health and domestic abuse support, and support for colleagues facing dismissal or discrimination. [00:49:47] MB recalls organising RMT Advisory Committee conferences, dealing with homophobic hotel staff, supporting LGBTQIA+ early career railway workers, educating colleagues afraid of saying gay, and developing a long-term relationship with his partner, later husband. He discusses family tensions, religious objections, later acceptance, and inclusion by work colleagues in men’s and women’s social spaces. [01:01:32] MB contrasts earlier workplace conditions with later allyship from colleagues and managers, including managers seeking his advice on queer issues and transgender women using women’s toilets. He also discusses his partner’s childhood, health, upbringing and relationship with his family. [01:17:57] MB describes supporting LGBTQIA+ colleagues and local groups, advising employers on LGBTQIA+ issues, explaining protections under the Equality Act 2010, and bringing one’s full self to work [01:24:30] He reflects on criminalisation until 1967, Margaret Thatcher, Section 28, the AIDS/HIV epidemic, fear-based public messaging, Freddie Mercury, workplace homophobia, anti-LGBTQIA+ hate and violence, activist exhaustion, and the emotional toll on union representatives. [01:34:42] MB reflects on becoming a union representative, using his experiences to guide others, regrets about not doing more for closeted colleagues, LGBTQIA+ friendship networks, local town council work, continuing anti-LGBTQIA+ sentiment, and hopes for inclusion. [01:55:55] He discusses advice to future generations, the value of People Pride and Progress, work-life balance, avoiding activist burnout, and railway oral history work. [end of track 01] [Track 02] MB reflects on optimism, adapting to change, 40 years as a union member, the 1980s railway induction process, 44 years in rail, friendships through RMT and rail, and improvements still needed. [00:15:15] He discusses meeting his husband, supporting LGBTQIA+ colleagues coming out, the lack of support available when he came out, life philosophy, career impacts of union work, supportive friends and family, life with his husband, and closing reflections. [end of interview] Mark Beresford interviewed by Nat Palethorpe 2024-11-15