`Rise like lions...Ye are many - they are few...'
Last year, over one thousand people, including Christopher Eccleston and Maxine Peake, gathered outside G-Mex to commemorate the Peterloo Massacre, the day when, on 16th August 1819, the army attacked a peaceful human rights protest, leaving 15 people dead (see previous Salford Star article click here).
This year, Maxine Peake is again participating, contributing an original, annotated page from the script of her ace `Rise like lions...' performance last year of Shelley's Masque of Anarchy poem to a giant tapestry which is to be created next Sunday, 14th August at Friends Meeting House in Manchester.
The event begins at 1:30pm and everyone is invited to bring an object that reflects the spirit of 1819, and their feelings about what message a memorial should embody*...
... "It could be a simple written statement, a photograph, a piece of modern or historical political memorabilia, a drawing, an item or fragment of an item from the period, a print of an image from the time, a badge, a suffragette ribbon, an image of another inspirational memorial" state the organisers from the Peterloo Memorial Campaign "When these are combined they'll go to make a powerful, expressive, absorbing and intriguing whole that's sure to become a valued icon in its own right."
The objects will be attached to a blank cotton canvas four feet high and over thirty feet long, spun and woven on vintage machines at Quarry Bank Mill**
"We invite everyone, artists and public alike, to add their object to this significant piece of art" says Paul Fitzgerald, campaign chair "Everyone can participate with a contribution, no matter how simple or elaborate - taken together, these will make a deeply symbolic and permanent record of what people feel the forthcoming Peterloo memorial should say. We're really looking forward to seeing an outpouring of thoughts and creativity. Just like in 1819, your participation matters to the whole."
Before this event, people will be marching along the routes taken by campaigners in 1819 to attend the original rally in St Peter's Field***. They will be coming from Salford, including Eccles and Irlam; Bury, Prestwich, Stockport, Middleton, Rochdale, Westhoughton, Altrincham, Heywood and other places around Greater Manchester, ending in Windmill Street (near G-Mex) at 1pm. From there they will be joining the tapestry creation event at 1:30pm.
The final artwork will be displayed outside Friends Meeting House at 5:3opm, and again on Tuesday 16th August in Windmill Street at 1pm during the 197th anniversary gathering, where the names of the Peterloo dead will be formally read.
Peterloo Memorial Campaign
Sunday 14th August, Friends Meeting House, Manchester 1:30pm
Tuesday 16th August, Windmill Street, Manchester 1pm
*There's also a drop-in event at the People's History Museum on Thursday 11th August, from 4pm to 7:30pm, to allow people to create and prepare their contribution in advance, or to simply consult about its suitability.
** Each object needs to be as flat, flexible and lightweight as possible, and of a modest size - no larger than an absolute maximum of 1ft tall or wide, preferably smaller.
***Salford March Times and Locations
Salford meet corner of Cobden Street/Great Cheetham Street 11:15am...the meeting with Bolton and Eccles contingents at Pendleton Church 11:30am, and then to Crescent train station (11:50am), onto Deansgate and then G-Mex
Eccles meet at Eccles Cross 10:30am and then march via Salford Royal Hospital and Buile Hill Park to Pendleton Church to meet other contingents at 11:30am
To join any of these marches or for further details of them contact Martin Gittins on 07760 430 577 martingzzz@hotmail.co.uk
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