Hampshire communities involved in the Captain SWING RIOTS of 1830 are exploring the tragic events which culminated in the Grand Assize in the Great Hall, Winchester followed by executions and mass transportations. This event reports latest findings.
With the Bicentenary of the Captain Swing Riots in Hampshire of 1830 looming, many communities affected by the riots are now exploring what happened in their locality during the most tumultuous period of social unrest since the Peasants' Revolt. This largely forgotten period is being explored to expose remarkable parallels with conditions today especially the impact of technological innovation, increasingly sharp divisions based on class, an inadequate social welfare system and a growing anger among 'left behind' communities.
This presentation will lay out the Bicentenary's five year ambitions and include specific examples of how research is now being undertaken and creative work developed notably in the village of Droxford with its drama 'William Burgess versus William Cobbett'. Meanwhile other researchers will discuss the investigations into the genealogy of the Rioters - as exemplified by Lesley Manville in 'Who Do You Think You Are?' - and how a Hampshire Hub website for Swing information and data is being built on a collective basis.
The way women were impacted by the Riots will be examined in a short drama by Rachel O'Neill. And representatives from Havant will discuss the practicalities of how to uncover and explore overlooked aspects of Hampshire's hidden past. Underpinning all this will be an awareness of the way the English language was used at the time and how villagers clubbed together to buy radical newspapers and then read them in the local public houses.
Event Times
Saturday 14 September: 11am- 12:30pm
Booking Information
Pre-booking: Preferred.
Booking opens: 20 July
Booking closes: 13 September
Address & Directions
United Reform Church, Jewry Street, Winchester, Hampshire, SO23 8RZ.
The United Reform Church is in Jewry Street in central Winchester. It is within a 50 metre walk from the pedestrianised High Street on the Jewry Street thoroughfare. Parking is not possible immediately outside so use of a car park (several in the centre of town) is strongly advised. It maybe be possible to drop people off to the rear of the church in Staple Gardens.
Additional Information
Max 100 people per tour/session. 1 hour 30 minutes.
The performance space for the show is upstairs.
This event is designed to inform the public about the kind of research going forward into the Captain Swing Riots of 1830 and their consequences. It aims to whet people's appetites to join with the Bicentenary Commemoration in taking part.
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Organised by:
Edward Fennell
Header image: The Swing Riots_credit Wellington Archive, University of Southampton