Our Chartist Heritage

Despite my fascination with the Chartist Uprising since childhood and an increased involvement in the Movement through my adult life, I had never attended the Newport Rising March, until this year.

As a musician who has supported Our Chartist Heritage for many years, I have often found myself preparing to perform or lending a hand elsewhere, away from the action. This year, however, special preparations were made by OCH and Le Pub to allow all performers time to join the March.

It’s difficult to describe the entire experience, from the captivating initial torchlit precession through the trees of Bell Vue Park to the gathering in Westgate Square with words alone, but fortunately Goldtops Studios have managed to once again capture the true spirit of the event along with a dozen local photographers and hundreds more with their camera phones.

If, however, I were to try and sum up the experience in one word, it would be ‘unity’. An entire community united with a single purpose. All ages and cultures, a true representation of Newport celebrating the single most impactful event of our history and heritage. A dedicated team of volunteers coming together as one to deliver this in a safe, organised and enjoyable way. A charity whose main aim is to preserve our heritage in order to protect our future.

Newport Rising is more than just a commemoration of the past, it’s a celebration of the here and now, supporting countless artists, authors and musicians. I was fortunate enough to perform at this year’s festival alongside Awdl and Miwsog at Le Pub. The atmosphere was electric, with many of the attendees joining together to enjoy local original music, one of the other great things that Newport  and its surrounding area has to offer. OCH are incredibly supportive of our local music scene, providing regular opportunities for musicians to showcase their work with Newport Rising being their  principal event. It’s a fantastic opportunity for so many people to unite which my band and I thoroughly enjoy playing and will continue to support.

It may be a year away, but I strongly recommend you mark 7^th November in your calendars, as Newport Rising is never one to miss!

Joe Kelly - OCH Volunteer- Newport Rising Supporter - Singer of Joe Kelly and the Royal Pharmacy

The weather may be hot, but the Newport Rising Hub remains open, and planning is already under way for this year’s Newport Rising Festival. In the meantime, there are several events coming up in at the Hub.

Ar y gweill yn Hyb Gwrthryfel Casnewydd

Rydym hefyd yn paratoi rhaglen o sgyrsiau yn yr Hyb dros y misoedd nesaf.

Dr Elin Jones on Our Living Heritage: How can we protect it?

Wednesday 19 August at 7pm

Newport Rising Hub

Dr Elin Jones will speak about intangible, or living, heritage: what it is, how it shapes us and why it matters. The talk will also consider the work of the Reverend Gwilym Davies, a Welsh Baptist minister and peace campaigner who contributed to the development of the organisation that became UNESCO. He also founded the Urdd’s annual Peace and Goodwill Message in 1922.

The subject is particularly relevant as we await news on whether Newport’s Torchlit March and annual Chartist Commemoration  have been recognised as part of the UK’s Living Heritage Inventory.

Dr Elin Jones ar dreftadaeth anniriaethol

Dydd Mercher 19 Awst am 7pm

Hyb Gwrthryfel Casnewydd

Bydd Dr Elin Jones yn siarad am dreftadaeth anniriaethol, neu dreftadaeth fyw: beth ydyw, sut mae’n ein llunio a pham ei bod yn bwysig. Bydd y sgwrs hefyd yn ystyried gwaith y Parchedig Gwilym Davies, gweinidog gyda’r Bedyddwyr yng Nghymru ac ymgyrchydd heddwch a gyfrannodd at ddatblygiad y sefydliad a ddaeth yn UNESCO. Ef hefyd sefydlodd Neges Heddwch ac Ewyllys Da flynyddol yr Urdd ym 1922. Mae’r pwnc yn arbennig o berthnasol wrth inni aros am newyddion ynghylch a yw Gorymdaith Fflachlampau Casnewydd a’r coffâd Siartaidd blynyddol wedi cael eu cydnabod fel rhan o Restr Treftadaeth Fyw y DU.