In early October 1831, the defeat of the Second Reform Bill in the House of Lords led to a huge wave of pro-reform protests and disturbances across Britain and Ireland. Major disorders in the east Midlands, Dorset and Somerset were followed in Bristol by the most serious riot in nineteenth century England. In early November, less than a week after the events in Bristol, Worcester was to experience a riot of its own.
During April, The Hive, Worcester is hosting our second travelling exhibition which outlines the political and social context to the rioting, as well as considering the nature of the mass public disorders in Bristol, Bath and Worcester in autumn 1831. Along with the display will be a collection of maps, manuscripts and artifacts related to reform and riots from the Worcester Archives and the City Museum.
See this touring exhibition, created by the University of the West of England (UWE), on level 2 of The Hive, Worcester from 1 April 2023.
The first free travelling exhibition covering reform riots in Somerset and Dorset is currently on display in Yeovil. More details here.
If you would like to host the display in Worcestershire, Bristol or BANES please contact Jane Askew at .
And please take part in the public survey: What do you know about crowds and riots?
Event details
Saturday 1 April, 2023