Rail riots to be remembered
17 Apr 2010 ... LLANELLI councillors have backed moves to commemorate the centenary ...The 1911 riots saw two innocent men shot dead by the Army and four ...
www.thisissouthwales.co.uk/sa15/Rail-riots-remembered/.../article.html.Rebellions, Uprisings and Strikes in Wales
- 1740 Armed miners riot in Rhuddlan over low wages. Troops called in.
- 1758 Two deaths when Cilgwyn quarrymen marched to Caernarfon to seize corn.
- 1783 Lead miners rioted in Aberystwyth over high corn prices.
"General" Period of the French Revolution
- 1793-1801 Despite starvation and malnutrition, food was still being exported. Food riots resulted throughout rural Wales, e.g. Machynlleth, Llanbrynmair, Denbigh, Bangor, Aberystwyth, Bridgend and Fishguard ( as well as in Swansea). Bala saw much coming and going of troops. (the years 1795/6 (Barmouth, Machynlleth) and 1799/1801 particulary were famine years).
- 1795 As magistrates met to raise men for the armed forces, 500 men lead by John Jones, marched into Denbigh and imprisoned the magistates. From there, they marched thruout the North East, stopping the export of corn.
- 1800 Corn riots in Caernarfon, also Pembrokeshire and West Wales.
- 1801 Towards the end of the campaign, two miners (Samuel Hill and Aaron Williams) hanged after a disturbance in Merthyr Tydfil.
- 1797 The farcical attempted invasion at Fishguard provides the excuse for a strong clampdown on radicals.
- 1809 Llandeiniolen, over enclosures of common land and waste land. This followed by similar protests in 1812 at Mynydd Bach, Ceredigion.
- 1816 Riot in Merthyr Tydfil and Tredegar during miners strike. In Merthyr, JJ Guest barricaded himself into his home, Dowlais House and William Crawshay took refuge in a farmhouse. Troops were brought in to disperse about 8.000 workers. In Tredegar, roops were sent in and one worker was killed - but the threat of wage reductions was withdrawn. Troops fire warning shots in Aberystwyth as protests take place over enclosures.
- 1817 Four weeks of unrest in Amlwch caused by high food prices. This followed on from the run-down of the copper works at Parys Mountain. When the copper works were in full production, Amlwch had a population of about 10.000.
- 1818 Troops used against crowd in Carmarthen who were trying to stop the export of food. This was a sympton of distress in the countryside and further protests stemming from this cause occured at Abermiwl (1819), Maenclochog (1820), Mynydd Bach, Ceredigion (1820-27 , War of the Little Englishman), Dryslwyn (1826) and Llanwnda (1827). During the 'War of the Little Englishman', about 600 men under Dai Smith oppose an Englishman seeking to enclose the land.
- 1822 Army opened fire in Gwent during miners strike (starting the Scotch Cattle movement).
- 1830 Battle of Chirk Bridge
- 1831 Riots in Mold and Carmarthen, after the defeat of Gray's bill to reform the franchise.
31st May Rising of the Red Flag on Hirwaun Common
A Prologue To The Hirwaun/Merthyr Insurrection 1831 .
An Introduction
The of 30th and 31st May 1831 at respectively Twyn y Waun and Hirwaun Common. With Thomas Llywelyn’s march on Aberdar And Lewis’s march on the court of request we witness discontent brewing into wide spread disturbances that would by 1 June 1831 burst fourth as the first major Welsh Insurrection since time of Owain Glyndwr. It is common amongst Welsh historians who have inherited the Victorian historians ''respectable crachach mantle'' to be almost apologetic for the Welsh ''having a rush of blood to the head'', as the English chroniclers often accused us of having in medieval times. The same case is made for Owain Glyndŵr as it is for the 1831 Insurrectionists, say nothing that promotes idea it may have been ''Plotted and Planned'' in advance.
(In the 1920s, infant mortality (for under 5s) was 479 per thousand. The ironworks employed 9.000.)
The Lamb Inn: It was here that Lewis Lewis was held prisoner in the cellar after is capture in area of Ystrad Fellte.
Part of the former Penderyn Mineral Railway, the 2.6km section runs from Pontpren to Penyard road on the National Park border in Hirwaun. The former railway line follows the old packhorse route between Penderyn and Hirwaun, along which the quarry company built their tramway to carry limestone to ironworks in the Valleys. This was originally drawn by horses, and later by steam locomotives. Since the railway closed the route suffered years of neglect and has been returned to its former glory by the BBNPA. Part of the former Penderyn Mineral Railway, the 2.6km section runs from Pontpren to Penyard road on the National Park border in Hirwaun. The former railway line follows the old packhorse route between Penderyn and Hirwaun, along which the quarry company built their tramway to carry limestone to ironworks in the Valleys. This was originally drawn by horses, and later by steam locomotives. Since the railway closed the route suffered years of neglect and has been returned to its former glory by the BBNPA. Further and full details can be obtained via the web from Brecon Beacons National Park Authority.
They do indeed have a leaflet on the pathway between Penderyn and Hirwaun. If you would like to contact them on (01874) 623366, or by email at mountain.centre@Brecon.org, giving postal address, they would be happy to send one to you by post.
The Church of St Cynog and The Red Lion on hill above Penderyn. ( Note, can be approached from 2 directions).
There is a connection between Lewis Lewis, the church and the cemetery, what?
The government had originally decided against a seat for Merthyr. In Spring 1831, Crawshay lowered wages.
Lewis Lewis led a march against the debtors court to regain goods confiscated from the poor. The Courthouse was destroyed.
Mathew John presented the rebels' terms to Penydarren House.
Magistrates became under siege at the Castle Hotel. The Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders were sent to Merthyr, from Brecon. and on 3. June, they defended the Castle Inn firing on a crowd who were storming the inn - 24 were killed and 70 wounded. But the military eventually abandoned the town.
The Red Flag was raised.
On the 8 June a further 1.000 soldiers were sent in, and 12.000 supporters from Monmouth were headed off by about 500 soldiers.
The uprising was followed by a lockout lead by J.J. Guest, supported by Lord Melbourne (Home Secretary, later PM).
4.000 unionists
Nov 31 unionists cease to exist
Dic Penderyn (Richard Lewis) was hanged in Cardiff for his role in the disturbances - allegedly for stabbing a soldier. A plaque outside the library in Merthyr Tydfil refers to him as a martyr of the working class. Lewis Lewis was transported for life.
- 1832-34 The Scotch Cattle protest is at its peak. In 1834, Edward Morgan is hanged in Monmouth Prison.
In the late 1830s/early 1840s, there are two main protest movements operating - the Chartists and Rebecca. Some sources attempt to show that these two movements were different threads of the same overall protest. In this simple expose, I will just assume that Chartism was concerned with promoting Democracy, and Rebecca was operating against turnpike trusts and workhouses.
Chartism
- 1839 As a result of the charter of 1838
- In April 1839, Chartists take over Llanidloes for a week, shortly after Henry Hetherington, the Chartists' Trasurer, had visited the area.
On 20. April, three London policeman had been sent to Llanidloes. On the following day. a crowd attacked the Trewythen Hotel, releasing the man that the policemen were holding and ransacking the hotel.
- Chartist leader, Henry Vincent, had been imprisoned in August. Vincent was followed around by government spies and in May 1838 he was arrested for making inflammatory speeches. On 2nd August he was tried at Monmouth Assizes and sentenced to twelve months imprisonment. He was denied writing materials and only allowed to read books on religion.
- On November 4 1839, Chartists from the valleys converge on Newport. They marched down Stow Hill, and at least 22 were shot dead by the army during a disturbance at the Westgate Hotel.
The eight leaders were sentenced to death, which was commuted to imprisonment or transportation. Queen Victoria knighted the mayor who ordered the random execution.
South East of Chepstow along the Wye, there is the Willow Tea Room, where there is an plaque commemorating the fact that three leaders were transported from here to Tasmania.
The museum where you can see exhibits from this event is situated in John Frost Square, named after the leader.
In 1841, William edwards stood as a Chartist candidate in Monmouth, receiving no votes - the only time this has happened in Welsh elections.
Rebecca
- 1838 Militia have to defend Carmarthen Workhouse
1839
Jan There was an attempt to burn down the new Narberth Workhouse.
- 13. May First gate to be attacked was Efailwen, nr. St. Clears. This had only been opened about a week beforehand. The trust re-erected the gate, but on 6th June, protestors returned and, despite the presence of several policemen, they destroyed the gate and the house.
- Within a week of the destruction of the efail-wen gate, the Maes-gwyn gate was also destroyed.
- 1842 Carmarthen Workhouse ransacked
- 1856 Troops are sent to Talargoch, Flintshire during a lead miners strike.
- 1857 Troops are sent to Aberdare during the 7 week miners strike.
- 1869 Four striking miners shot dead by troops.
- 1875 A bitter coal strike leads to the bankruptcy of the Amalgamated Association of Miners.
- 1880s Riots in Denbighshire against payment of tithes. Llangwm, Mochdre, Denbigh.
- 1893 Hauliers went on strike.
- 1896 One year stoppage in the North Wales slate quarries.
- 1898 Six-month lock-out (March-September) in the coalfields of South Wales. Miners forced back and Mabon's Day is lost. Afterwards the South Wales Miners Federation is formed.
- 1900-03 Three-year dispute in the North Wales slate quarries. In 1902 Riot Act read in Bethesda during the 3-year long lock-out from the Penrhyn Quarry. This becomes the longest lasting industrial dispute in history. Troops brought in.
- 1900/01 The Taff Vale strike. The courts decided to companies were allowed to sue for damages against the Union, thus severely curtailing the power of strikes. The Liberal governemnt of 1906 changed the law, nullifying this decision Some sources claim this decision created the Labour Party.
- 1910 A dispute at the Cambrian Collieries descends into rioting from 1. November as management tries to bring in blacklegs to cover for the 30.000 strikers. In November, Churchill orders the cavalry in, followed later by infantry. One man dies in the ensuing troubles. On November 22, the infantry had used bayonets. Apart from the Army, police reinforcements from Bristol and London had been brought into the Rhondda and Aberdare. The problems lasted until January.
- 1911 The Army shot dead two men during a strike in Llanelli - this strike leading to a national rail strike in 1912. Several days of rioting in Swansea.
- 1915 Coal strike in July. The government made striking a criminal offence, but the strike went ahead from the 15-21 July. Lloyd George traveled to South Wales on 19. July and the government made concessions.
- 1919 Mutiny aboard HMS Kilbride at Milford Haven over delays in demobilization. There were five army mutinies in Britain during this period. One of the worst was a mutiny at Kinmel Camp, Rhyl by Canadian soldiers wanting to go home, which ended with 5 dead.
- 1925 The attitudes of the coal-owners in the anthracite areas, lead to a riot in Ammanford during strike by coal miners who controlled the town 10 days. 58 sent to prison.
- 1926 General strike, leading to a ten month coal strike. Serious clashes during the last 8 weeks of the miners strike.
- 1931 Riot at Maerdy, Rhondda. 33 people sent to prison.
- 1933 Riot at Bedwas. 11 received prison sentences.
- 1934 Bedlinog sack members of the Fed. Police are sent in.
- 1935 On the 3. February, a reduction in unemployment benefit is announced, leading to protests. About 300.000 people take to the street. On February 4., the National Assistance Board Offices in Merthyr Tydfil were attacked and records damaged. The government refrained from carrying out its measures until November 1936,when it was introduced in a modified form (the parliamentary opposition to these measures was lead by Aneurin Bevan). Riots at Blaina, Gwent ended in 10 people being sent to prison. Disturbances concerning the Taff Merthyr Colliery in Bedlinog ended with 32 people being sent to prison. The trail was the largest mass trial to have ever taken place in Britain. In Abertillery, twelve people were acquitted for singing anti-royalist songs.
- 1936 Anti-fascist demonstrations against Moseley in Tonypandy
- 1991 Four nights of rioting in Ely, Cardiff.
Credit Welsh Theme Park Website..- G.G.
A Welsh Radical PLatform: containing information on history of peoples popular and radical political struggles in Wales, verity of articles with similar themes plus promoting peoples history projects to persue. Not least,radical initiatives for those with an interest in persueing more of an Adfywiad Goch Cymru than a patriotic or republican resurgence.
18 April 2010
LLANELLI RIOTS 1911 to be commemorated 2011.
15 April 2010
REMEMBER 1910: WINSTON CHURCHILL'S BACK BUT SO TOO IS THE BULL! Remember Edward Morgan 'Tarw Scotch' Leader hanged 6 April 1835.
. Tonypandy Riots Centenary Events - Rhondda Cynon Taf
5 Feb 2008 ... 2010 will mark the one hundredth anniversary of the famed Tonypandy ... The main reason for the miners' disputes of 1910-11 was the change in ... The commemorativeevents will also focus on the positive outcome of the ...
www.rhondda-cynon-taff.gov.uk/stellent/groups/.../content.hcst?lang....Tonypandy 2010
Welcome to Tonypandy 2010. Commemorating The 100th Anniversary ... The TonypandyRiots relate to specific events in early November 1910 when strikers, ...
www.tonypandy2010.com/ - CachedNOTES | The Powerhouse of the Glamorgan Colliery, Llwynypia | The ...
The Powerhouse, the engine house of the Llwynypia pit in the Rhondda, will becommemorated as the starting point of the Tonypandy Riots. In 1910 ...
www.flickr.com/photos/johnrw/4294831783/ - Cached.
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14 April 2010
12 April 2010
WELSH CHARTIST COMMEMORATION CONTINUES:
Been away from this blog for far too long, but see below for some new year starters:
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'The Chartist Church Sit-In of April 1839' will be commemorated at St. Pauls Church, Newport at 12am on Saturday 24th April.
See attachment for details
To keep up to date with Chartist history activities in south Wales - check out the website
People Power: The Chartist Story www.newport.ac.uk/chartist
Les James
Research Associate, South Wales Centre for Historical and Interdisciplinary Research
University of Wales, Newport
Tel: 029 20613359.
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Posts on way this month:
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01 January 2010
MY RED REMBRANCERS NEW YEAR WISHES in Memory of the Merthyr 'Red Week' Rising 1831.
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04 November 2009
REMEMBER NEWPORT RISING 1839 - 2009: What's New? A New Charter! or just a remix?
Home (chartistcymruorg)
2009-10. This website provides a hub for Chartist commemoration activities in ... The Newport Chartist Mural commemorates the Chartist March on Newport, ...sites.google.com/site/chartistcymruorg/Home - Cached - Similar
BBC - South East Wales Historical Figures - John Frost
Pay tribute to John Frost, leader of the Chartist Rebellion in Newport. ... He is commemorated in Newport by John Frost Square, which has a mural depicting ... Newport, on 31st October 2009 from 9.30am til 5pm will give a range of views ...www.bbc.co.uk/wales/southeast/halloffame/.../johnfrost.shtml - Cached - Similar
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Chartist Newport's Page - Chartist Network Cymru
Posted on March 18, 2009 at 10:00am —. Chartist Newport ... Blackwood to commemorate the 169th anniversary of the Newport Chartist Rising of 4 November 1839 ...chartistnetworkcymru.ning.com/profile/ChartistNewport - Cached - Similar
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3 Chartism - a set on Flickr
Chartism marks modern Newport's birthright and the signs of Chartism are ... Chartist Tower, Newport by ArtNewport · Commemorating Chartism by ArtNewport ...www.flickr.com/photos/.../sets/72157594558292036 - Cached - Similar
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Newport (Gwent), South Wales Tourist Information on AboutBritain
On the banks of the River Usk with its own Cathedral and Castle, Newport has ... Chartist Murals - Mosaic mural off John Frost Square which commemorate the ...www.aboutbritain.com/towns/newport.asp - Cached - Similar
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Newport Rising - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Nevertheless the imprisoned Newport Chartists were regarded as heroes and ... proudly commemorate the rising and local activities are often held to mark the anniversary ... This page was last modified on 5 September 2009 at 18:06. ...en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Newport_Rising - Cached - Similar
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Gethin Gruffydd.
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27 October 2009
MERTHYR TUDFUL THE FUTURE, this is what is to be done: REMEMBERING MERTHYR RISING 1831 big time for starters?
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For perhaps with all the money being provided to Merthyr as part of the South Wales Valleys Heritage Tourism Initiative, I hope Merthyr will spend not a small sum on promoting the Insurrection of 1831 as both public information and as an Heritage Tourism attraction. What, did I hear Herian say? it strikes me as rather odd that they have left this most significant event off their illustrated poster of Southern Wales 'Industrial Revolution' history.
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Now if there are those who might think this is no good for tourism, I suggest you view below links to just see how the Australian Town of Ballarat deals with the Eureka Stockade Miners Rising as an Heritage Tourism project, they are far from being so shy as our 'Timid Taffs'.
Eureka Centre Ballarat Eureka - Eureka Stockade Gardens - 16:16 3 Dec 2004 ... The Website for Ballarat's Eureka Centre. Home of the Eureka Stockade. ... The Eureka Stockade gardens is the site set aside by the people of Ballarat East in the ... The first an interpretive artwork was commissioned. ...www.eurekaballarat.com/index.php?option=com... - Cached - Similar -
Eureka Centre Ballarat Eureka - The Eureka Precinct - 16:16 The Eureka Centre, at the Eureka Stockade, is a unique architectural masterpiece, one of Ballarat's icons. Its huge Eureka Sail, symbolising the flag of the ...www.eurekaballarat.com/index.php?option=com... - Cached - Similar -
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Victorian Heritage Database - EUREKA STREET BALLARAT EAST ... The prime above ground elements are the Eureka Monument, Drinking Fountain, Memorial Gates, and Eureka Interpretive Centre. The Eureka Stockade Monument is ...vhd.heritage.vic.gov.au/places/heritage/7032 - Cached - Similar -
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Last but not least and most important, an annual 1831 Merthyr Rising Commemoration, please and , a big one. The below link might give you some ideas as other posts in this blog may.
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Why not an annual dawn walk from Cefn Coed to Merthyr Town Centre, to mark anniversary of the 3 June 1831 Massacre but let us not make this represent a 'March of Victims' but more a march representing a people with the commitment and courage to fight for what they believed in:
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Justice over Oppression
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Freedom from Exploitation.
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07 October 2009
06 October 2009
HIRWAUN CHARTIST DAY 19 September 2009.
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For me the most illuminating matter that came out of the talks was the strength of the Scotch Cattle in the Cynon Valley, I was aware of a Scotch Cattle incident in Aberdar about 1850 when a 'bomb' was thrown into the house of a black leg. However, there is more to the Scotch Cattle and the Cynon Valley than that which requires some looking into. I am further aware that the Scotch Cattle were a product of the 'Black Domain' that is of the Gwent Coalfields, so perhaps it is no surprise to find them in the Coal mining area of the Cynon Valley but still quite a leap from Gwent to there, and in time to, from the 1830s to the 1850s. Interesting, a matter to be further looked into.
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.Highlight of the day was talk given by John Humphries on John Rees, labelled as the ''Man with the finger on the trigger''. The Man from the Alamo - Google Books Result by John Humphries - 2005 - History - 322 pagesRees' spectacular journey from the bloodied sands of Texas to the last armed uprising on British soil is only one of the stories told in this history book.books.google.co.uk/books?isbn=1589803353... - .This talk sparked off a lively debate as historian Les James took on the author Humphries, as Humphries doubted if there was a great political purpose the Newport 1839 Rising, and certainly saw no evidence in his research for a planned uprising.
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On the other hand historian present believed there was such motives but both would have disagreed with Ifor Wilks that there was any 'Welsh Nationalist' motives ploting to establish the beloved 'Silurian Republic' fondly favoured by past and present day Welsh Republican Romantics. Whilst Republican David Lawrence suggested that John Rees might have been an Agent Provocateur, and put forward reasons worthy of consideration. I threw my bit into the debate which I will not repeat here, as if you read this blog you will come to know my line of reasoning in such area and related matters.
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These Chartist events are certainly worth attending, and there are plenty more on way. Information on which I will publish on the next post.
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Gethin Gruffydd.
27 September 2009
15 September 2009
FOTO FEATURE: TONYPANDY RIOTS 1910 - 2010 - 100th Anniversary Commemortive Events. Advance Information.
5 Feb 2008 ... Plans to commemorate the centenary of events surrounding the Tonypandy Riots of 1910 are now underway. ... 2010 will mark the one hundredth anniversary of the famed Tonypandy Riots, a brutal uprising which would ...www.rhondda-cynon-taff.gov.uk/stellent/.../content.hcst?lang... - Similar -
Heritage DVD praised - Rhondda Cynon Taf
The DVD revealed the extent of how significant a building the Powerhouse was in the uprising in Tonypandy in 1910. It also gave viewers an insight into the ...www.rhondda-cynon-taff.gov.uk/stellent/.../content.hcst?... - Similar -
Show more results from www.rhondda-cynon-taff.gov.uk
Rhondda Cynon Taf
Plans to commemorate the centenary of events surrounding the Tonypandy Riots of 1910 are now underway. Relevance: 100% Last updated on: 5/2/2008 ...www.rhondda-cynon-taf.gov.uk/.../search_results_page.hcst?...1%2F1%2F2010...(%60tonypandy%60...tonypandy...... - Similar -
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Powerhouse Funding Success - Rhondda Cynon Taf
8 Feb 2008 ... key location at the centre of the famed Tonypandy Riots of 1910 when ... to commemorate the centenary anniversary of the Tonypandy riots ...www.rhondda-cynon-taf.gov.uk/stellent/.../content.hcst?lang... - Similar -
Show more results from www.rhondda-cynon-taf.gov.uk
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14 September 2009
LEANNE LEADS THE WAY, but will she go all the way? SEIZE THE TIME & SEIZE THE LAND!
One Small step Leanne, can lead a people back to the land!

I fully support Leanne Woods, in this small step towards people taking power over the means of food production within their communities. However, this is just a small step forward to prepare to avoid the potential poverty of the future masses of poor. No doubt that will be Socio - Economically created by the failings of a greedy Capitalism totally out of control in it's sick desire to amass wealth into the pockets of individual sharks of the stock market and Banks. But worse is mass consumerism that his destroying the 'Third World' and at same time, the supermarkets that are responsible for destroying our own communities as they have done, and intend to do in towns as Machynlleth and New Castle Emlyn, see pics below.

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PLANT PRODUCE NOT ESTABLISH PLANTATIONS FOR TURBINES.
must be a great many people out there, the young enemployed especially who would join a workers 'Land Army' to dig for a peoples victory over Capitalism. Plaid Cymru, of which Leanne is a leading light, needs to get a grip on reality, if they really want to see an Independent Wales, and I do mean Independent. Then wake up, this is not 19th century Wales, a land of Coal and Iron , this is a Wales that could become an Independent ''failed Nation''. So stop and think! any march to freedom must not just be about saving Welsh Culture and Rural Agriculture by means of Government subsidies to stick up windmills, or be content with E.U. Empire grants to tinker around with road widening schemes or building so called Industrial Parks no one wants to open up business in. Do I have to tell you where, C'mon Plaid, C'mon all you Welsh Politicians, get real! 

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TRECH GWLAD NAG ARGLWYDD.
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G.







