Chartists march on... Llanhilleth
Thursday 10th May

We all know about – or should know about – the Chartists, in particular the 1839 uprising and its consequences, when five thousand colliers marched on Newport and ended in the deaths of many revolutionaries and the transportation of, among others, John Frost.

One hundred and forty years later local musician, Wynford Jones, had the idea to tell the Chartist story in words and song. Together with fellow musicians of the Islwyn Folk Club, he worked on the project.

What emerged was 'A Production' and accompanying album, broadcast on the local radio, by BBC Radio Wales/Radio Cymru and played in its entirety on BBC Radio 2's Folk on 2 - a feat which they believe has yet to be matched.

The album by the group now calling themselves the Chartists, released in 1979, had its effect on local Gwent musicians also. It allowed music written in and about Gwent to 'be okay'. No longer was it necessary to regurgitate the sounds and stories of the 'big smoke' of English or American cities: here and now, in south east Wales, had an importance.

Another thirty years or so on, in 2011, Wynford, Geri and Laurence, three of the original band found themselves being asked to perform the song cycle once more. Local history societies together with music venues showed interest and they decided to recreate the performance, but in a more adaptable acoustic genre. They are joined by Laurence's son Andrew on bass guitar.

The band appear in Llan Acoustic, at Llanhilleth Miners' Institute, on Thursday, 10th May. The night begins with an open mic at 8pm with the Chartists on stage an hour later. Entry charge is £2.