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The Hexham Riot - Introduction
Location: Northumberland
The Hexham Riot of 9th March 1761, also known as the “Hexham Massacre” or “Bloody Monday”, resulted in the deaths of over 50 men and women, with dozens more wounded.
The Riot involved ordinary folk from villages and communities throughout Tynedale, who marched to Hexham on that fateful day to protest against balloting to select men for service in the County Militia.
Few people living in Tynedale are aware of this bloody episode of local history and, until now, there has been no memorial to the event or to those who died.
Hexham Community Partnership is commemorating the event with a project supported by grants awarded by the Local Heritage Initiative and Leader Plus.
One of the objectives of the project is to design a commemorative plaque to be placed in front of the ancient Moot Hall in Hexham Market Place, where the Riot took place.
Other elements of the project include art and drama workshops for first and middle schools in Tynedale, creative writing sessions, the publication of a book and the commissioning of musical works based on the theme of the Riot.
A major commemorative event in Hexham, on Saturday 19th June 2004, will include living history displays, drama, music, poetry and son, culminating in a re-enactment of the key events of the Riot and the unveiling of the memorial plaque.
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Heritage Lottery Fund: £24640
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