THOUSANDS of Hampshire schoolchildren were given the day off as teachers joined a massive protest lobby in Winchester against spending cuts.

More than 2,500 jeering, chanting demonstrators from schools, old people’s homes and disabled centres packed into the square outside the council chamber to picket a meeting of Hampshire County Councils policy makers on July 14, 1980.

They chose Bastille Day to take the councillors by storm and to demand “no cuts” in services.

Police made spot checks on people entering the public gallery although the crowds were cheerful and cooperative.

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But that didn’t stop thousands of trade unionists making their point.

Daily Echo:

As well as teachers , firemen and local government workers all made their presence felt but councillors ignored their cat calls as they made their way to the meeting.