Newport Rising Hub opened at 190 Commercial Street in January 2024. Since then many thousands have visited and signed up to our database. The visitors have come from all over the world. The Hub is a truly international concept.
It is a place for history and education and a venue for contemporary events and community use. The team works to enable more people from diverse backgrounds to explore history and claim a heritage that affirms the rights of all to citizenship.
The Hub is used by a wide range of groups for meetings, talks and events. The governing body, "Our Chartist Heritage" (OCH) organise a variety of historical talks related to Chartism and the fight for democracy. Since it opened in 2024 delighted audiences have witnessed a regular feast of Music, Poetry, drama and the written word. Art and Photography exhibitions and a variety of craft sessions have taken place at the Hub. A number of schools have visited and the team make regular visits to schools in support of the New Welsh Curriculum.
The HUB layout
On the left wall of the Hub there is a visual history of radical events from Oliver Cromwell to the Chartists and the fateful march on Newport on 04 November, 1839 when at least 22 Chartists were shot by soldiers from the 45th regiment stationed at the Westgate Hotel. An addition to the Newport Chartist story is a section dedicated to Lady Rhondda and the Suffragettes.
The wall at the rear of the HUB contains adverts from the Victorian period and the right wall contains contemporary radical posters from the Red Shoes Poster Archive.
At the front of the Hub is a wide range of Chartist related merchandise.
The Chartist Rising Festival
Why we remember the Chartists
The 1839 Chartist rising in Newport and the persecution that followed it signalled the end of the movement as an overt political force but the energy of the members was diverted to other forms of action such as the Co-operative movement and trade unions. The spirit of Chartism however did not die and for many decades in South Wales and in other parts of the United Kingdom the struggles of the Victorian workers and memories of the fallen have stimulated debate and commemoration. This has led to many avenues of research into the lives of the Chartists. Many people have traced their own ancestors back to members of the movement.
Newport Rising
Our Chartist Heritage is a trust that oversees all year round Chartist activities in Newport. Every November sees a range of exciting events in Gwent.
There is an annual visit to the Chartist Caves near Trevil in North Gwent, a variety of talks and music events and workshops. For nearly two decades a Chartist Convention has been held to discuss the latest world-wide research on Chartism.
Torchlit March
The Torchlit March is the highlight of the year. Last year more than two thousand people of all ages marched from Belle Vue Park, down Stow Hill following in the footsteps of the Chartists, to Westgate Square. The marchers, many dressed in Victorian clothes are accompanied by musicians and drummers.
The Newport Rising Project has breathed life and creativity into the movement for a new generation. It provides curriculum material and activities for schools to help students understand the need for openness and democracy in society.
For further information
Renovating the Hub
When OCH moved into 170 Commercial Street the premises were in a shocking state. Whilst it was unoccupied some squatters lit a fire that destroyed nearly half of the downstairs area. Before it could be decorated a huge amount of work had to take place. Local, Newport builder and Chartist supporter Laurence Waite stepped up. Together with Director David Daniel and Trustee David Mayer they removed and rebuilt the fire damaged framework and fitted fireproof plaster. Over two months the two Davids wallpapered the damaged rear area and many other supporters stopped by to help paint the shop.
Before
After
