The idea
The Weavers Uprising Bicentennial Committee (WUBC) is seeking to develop a specific project in 2024 "Rise Up! Remembering the Weavers Uprising”. The new project will enable increased participative community involvement in the planned 198th Commemorative event, to be held in Chatterton in April 2024 and also enable the WUBC to create a website, information leaflets, social media publicity & hold community meetings. The commission of a large handmade textile banner, from the artist James Fox, will enable a distinct visual focus for remembrance events; as a unique representation of the Weavers Uprising (see photos) it will become a lasting legacy. After the event, the WUBC will bring new volunteers together to define and establish ‘Weavers Remembrance Walks’ as community walking trails and to also gather together materials/artefacts and historical records to illuminate the story and hidden history of the Weavers Uprisings through a mobile exhibition & publication.
What we'll deliver
- A free community Commemorative Event (on April 28th 2024 in Chatterton)
- Weavers Uprising Banner (commissioned art piece/textile artist)
- WUBC Website development and printing of “Rise Up!” publication
- Identify & record the ‘Weavers Remembrance Walks’ for public engagement
- Community & local library meet-ups about the Lancashire Weavers history with a mobile exhibition & publications
Why it's a great idea
Raising Profile - The new project ‘Rise Up; Remembering the Weavers Uprising’ will raise the profile of an important but overlooked historical event by providing commemorative events, artwork, music, talks and initiating research and developing educational resources. Making new connections - Involving a much greater number of local residents and members of the community in the 198th Commemoration activities will engage a more diverse range of groups with identifying and recording specific details of the Weavers Remembrance Walks.
Creating new skills - Community meetings after the event will help identify and document the Weavers Uprising of 1826 and to create the basis of a WUBC mobile exhibition & help produce the short publication – entitled ‘Rise Up’: The 1826 Weavers Uprising and Chatterton Massacre’ for use with libraries, museums, schools, colleges and other community spaces.
Steps to get it done
- 2024 (April) 198th Commemorations
- 2024 (June) Completion of Website
- 2024 (Sept) Workshops on Remembrance Walks
- 2024-5 Completion of Banner
- 2024-5 Publication of ‘Rise Up’ publication
The project will deliver:
Improved quality of life - The long term impact of the Weavers Uprising project will not only acknowledge and remember past events but also be helpful for people living today (a) the Weavers Remembrance Walks can aid wellbeing (b) the probability is that some of the volunteers that sign up for the WUBC will also support other heritage sites in the region, (c) the collective working experience and ‘being part of something’ will be an aid to all of those who contribute to the organisation of the commemorations.
Improved access - Though detailed mapping of the Weavers Remembrance Walks (and recording of videos of them) there will be an opportunity for those who face mobility challenges to also learn in detail about the route of protests in 1826.
Public benefit - There will be widespread participation of members of the community in the commemorations to include local heritage sites, libraries and heritage societies at low or no cost and for public benefit.
