30th January is set to see the permanent display of the Weavers Uprising Bicentennial Committee’s [WUBC] ‘Rise Up’ banner at The Whitaker Museum and Art Gallery.
The WUBC banner commemorates nearly 200 years since The Lancashire Rising, one of the most significant events of early nineteenth century Britain.
The banner is set to be displayed at the Museum and Art Gallery as part of a series of projects and community activities delivered by WUBC from 2024 to 2026.
The WUBC charity aims to raise the profile of an important but overlooked historical event by providing commemorative events, artwork and other creative visual interpretations, music and singing, community talks and initiating research and developing educational resources.
The commemorative banner has been designed by textile artist, James Fox, and has been designed using imagery from the time to evoke thought provoking reflections on the rising.
Artist James Fox said: “The continuity of textile art as a medium for celebration, technical mastery, and a powerful voice for protest and unity is evident in the history and style of trade union banners. These banners are not merely decorative artifacts; they represent a rich cultural heritage reflecting the dignity, solidarity, and aspirations of the working-class communities they represent.”
“They capture key moments, struggles, and achievements, thus preserving an invaluable part of intangible cultural heritage. By doing so, they ensure that the stories of collective action, resistance, and perseverance remain accessible to future generations, reinforcing the role of textile art as both a historical and political tool.”
The 200 years commemoration acknowledges four days from the 24th-27th April 1826 where tens of thousands of ordinary people rose up in protest about their severe poverty and growing threat of mass starvation. Following the financial collapse after the December 1825 banking crisis, where wages were low, unemployment was high, food prices were rising and the workhouses were full, handloom weavers and other local people made a desperate attempt to draw attention to their plight by destroying virtually all the power looms in the area.
Dr David Scott, Chair of the Weavers Uprising Bicentennial Committee, said
“Thousands rose up against the consequences of a catastrophic financial crisis and many years of low wages and impoverished living conditions. Their actions were planned and kept property destruction to a minimum. This direct collective action was undoubtedly a cry for help. Yet the starving handloom weavers were not met with sympathy and compassion. The government called in the military and the rising was crushed by state violence.”
“Over time the true nature of the events was hidden. The protestors were considered as ‘vandals’ and the Lancashire rising as nothing more than a criminal ‘riot’. The brutal repression and killing by soldiers was forgotten. We need to reclaim this crucial event for what it was, and the display of the Rise Up banner is a very helpful step in that direction.”
Gina Warburton, Collections Curator at The Whitaker Museum and Art Gallery said:“The very core of The Whitaker is that we aim to explore the past, meet the present and create the future. We are proud to be displaying the banner at The Whitaker as a significant piece of local and national history – and one which cannot be forgotten. Understanding the past can help us create a better future and we are grateful to WUBC for asking us to be part of the 200-year commemorations”.
The WUBC is supported by Lancashire County Council and Crowdfund Lancashire. WUC is developing several projects and community activities from 2024-26 which will enable increased participative community involvement in the 199th & 200th Commemorative events, to be held in Chatterton in April 2025 and across Pennine Lancashire in 2026.
For further information on WUBC, please head to www.weavers-uprising.org.uk
