A NEW history group in Flackwell Heath is set to hold its first major event next week - with a talk about the agricultural workers’ uprising of the 1830s.
Jill Chambers is a national authority on the so-called 'Swing Riots' in England, but her talk, entitled ‘The Buckinghamshire Machine Breakers’, will focus on Flackwell Heath, Wooburn and Chepping Wycombe.
The riots included the destruction of machines that were perceived to be replacing the need for workers’ labour.
Jill will recount the special commission trials of the rioters that followed, with information on the rioters and their victims from the area.
There are also examples of the records available in Australia for those who were sentenced to transportation.
Jill has published several books on the riots in various counties and these will be available to purchase.
The event, organised by Flackwell Heath Local History Group, is in the Sarney Room at Flackwell Heath Community Centre, on Wednesday, September 12 at 7.30pm.
Tickets are £5 and available from the village library, or by contacting Mike Dewey on 01628 525207.
