Stephen Timms, MP for Newham North East and Minister of State for e-Commerce and Competitiveness in the DTI was at Sarum College on Saturday April 26th 2003 to launch an archive of Christian Socialism now housed in the library. The archive is supported by the Christian Socialist Movement and includes journals going back to the 1960s, lectures by Tony Benn and Lord Nolan, pamphlets from the '60s onwards on topics such as 'Socialism and the Church' 'the Apartheid Bomb' 'Thatcherism' and 'the Third way in Europe' as well as a history of the Christian Socialism Movement.

The afternoon began with tea and cake in the Common Room followed by the launch of the archive in the upper room of the library. Stephen Timms gave a speech, the text of which can be read on his website, and then did the honours by cutting the ribbon to officially 'launch' the archive. There was then an opportunity for people to look at the archive and books on related subjects.

Stephen Timms was in college as part of the Certificate in Politics and Theology residential weekend, and went on to give a talk to the students.

The archive is open to researchers on appointment with the library. It is hoped that the archive will grow by donation.
Jenny Monds
Librarian