The Captain Swing Riots – Launch and Taster event

The Captain Swing Riots in 1830 were the culmination of a decade of agricultural distress across Southern England. The riots in Hampshire were particularly violent and were suppressed with vigour by the Lord Lieutenant, the Duke of Wellington, who then convened a grand assize in Winchester, just before Christmas 1830, at which 300 of the rioters were tried in quick succession. The result was hundreds of men sentenced to transportation or executions. The impact on the agricultural communities across Hampshire was devastating.

To mark the bicentenary of the swing riots in Hampshire the English project is co-ordinating a wide range of exhibitions, performances. Lectures and other activities so that local communities can re-examine this important (but largely forgotten) episode in their history and also draw parallels with events and challenges of today.

The Launch event will outline the vision for the project with endorsements from its Patrons and other supporters. 
Follow this link for more information about the Launch

The 'Taster' will give the audience a range of short sample performances, readings and music which will be illustrative of what the English project has lined up for the years ahead. 
Follow this link for more information about the Taster