A series of events to mark the 170th anniversary of the Chartist rising at Newport in South Wales begins on Saturday 18 April with events in Merthyr Tudfel market square.
Events continue through the year and on into January 2010 - the 170th anniversary of the day on which the Lord Chief Justice pronounced a death sentence on the rising's leaders.
Here are the details. Please contact the organisers for further information.
Saturday 18 April
Merthyr Tudful Chartist Festival
Venue: Market Square Church , Merthyr Tudful 9.30am – 4.30pm
- Street theatre (Chance Encounters Theatre) in Lower High Street
- Inside the hall: lecture - Joe England on Merthyr Chartism
- 'Characters from the Chartist era' answering your questions
- Historians debating the ‘Chartist Story'
and a multi-media show by UAct2 Theatre Company in 2 parts
FREE ENTRY – Book your place today
Contact: tel Huw 07968256864 or Viv 01685 377883 or les.james@newport.ac.uk
Saturday 16 May
Llanidloes: Revisiting Chartism in WalesVenue: Llanidloes Community Centre, Mount Lane , Llanidloes
Conference organised by LLAFUR – The Welsh People's History Society
Speakers: Professor Malcolm Chase, Professor Owen Ashton, Joe Englandenquiries@llafur.org
Tel: 01792 518693
Merthyr Tudful Anniversary Chartist Parade
Venue: Café Quarter, Lower High Street
Celebration of the August Sunday 170 years ago when the Chartists of Merthyr paraded peacefully to St. Tudful's Church in support of the right of all men to vote
Saturday 19 Sept 19 th
Hirwaun: Chartism in the Cynon ValleyVenue: YMCA Hirwaun
Day School organised by WEA:
John Humphries (Author) Jack the Fifer - the finger on the Chartist triggerHuw Williams (Chair South Wales WEA) Hirwaun and the 1831 RisingLes James (SWCHIR) Aberdare Chartists – a forgotten history?
Saturday 3 October
Gwent Local History Chartist Day SchoolVenue: Blaenafon Workmen's Institute
Speakers include:
Chris Barber (Author and local historian)
Les James (SWCHIR)
Wednesday 14 October
Merthyr Tudful Annual Chartist Lecture
Venue: Dowlais Library 7.30pm
Speaker: Professor Owen Ashton (University of Staffordshire ) - 'W.E. Adams: Chartism and Republicanism'
Saturday 31 October
Newport : The Chartist ConventionVenue: St. Mary's Institute, Stow Hill
Keynote Speaker: Prof. Chris Williams (Swansea University )
A full day of activities is being planned, including a family history session with people talking about their ‘Chartist Ancestors'
To become involved contact: pat.drewett@ntlworld.com tel: 01633 677783
Sunday 1 November
Chartist Valleys coach tourStarting 9.30am at St. Woolos Cathedral, Newport , this is a full day's exploration of the ‘Black Domain' of the Chartists and the valley routes taken by the 1839 marchers to Newport . Expert guides on board.
Wednesday 4 November
Remembering the Chartist dead6.30pm : The annual gathering will take place at the memorial stone in St. Woolos Cathedral graveyard to remember the more than twenty men who died 170 years ago at the Westgate hotel on this date in 1839.
Wednesday 4 November
Chartist ConcertVenue: Salem Chapel and Chartist Centre, Blaina
Ebbw Vale Male Voice Choir
Contact: Steve Bartlett 01495 292817
Friday 6 November
Blaina & Nantyglo Annual Chartist Lecture & MealVenue: Nantyglo Rugby Club
Lecturer TBA
Contact: Steve Bartlett 01495 292817
Saturday 16 January 2010
Monmouth: The trials of the ChartistsIn Shire Hall, on this date in 1840, the death sentence was pronounced by the Lord Chief Justice on the Chartist leaders.
Monmouth Museum , in association with Monmouth Field & History Society, is staging a day of anniversary talks, walks and other activities.
For details: andrewhelme@monmouthshire.gov.uk tel: 01600 710630
This calendar of Chartist celebrations for 2009-10 is being promoted by HERIAN (Heritage in Action) and the Bevan Foundationwith Merthyr Chartist Forum, Voluntary Action Merthyr Tudful, Dic Penderyn Society, Accent Newport Trust, Newport Museum & Art Gallery, Gwent Record Office, Gwent Local History Council, Newport Community Learning and Libraries, SWCHIR at University of Wales, Newport.
