IT IS almost 175 years since 22 protesters were shot dead in Newport for demanding the right to vote, and events to mark the anniversary are taking place across the city.

The 22 were part of the Chartist movement, calling for suffrage to be extended.

But after marching to the Westgate Hotel in the city centre, they were killed.

Now, a group of volunteers in Newport have put together events to remember the Chartist legacy and look at how it is still relevant today.

Recent headlines about the Chartists have often centred on the mural in John Frost Square, which was demolished to make way for Friar’s Walk shopping centre last October amid public anger.

But now, Pat Drewett, chairman of the Chartist anniversary committee, says the city should focus on the true legacy of the reformers.

He said: “The legacy is not the mural but is really the vote and the ability to vote. Sometimes we don’t value that enough.

“Perhaps one of the things that in future the Chartist Festival is going to do is promote that even more.

“If you look at the percentage of people voting in elections, it is way down on what we saw in the Scottish referendum recently.

“I think we can ask ourselves why that is. We can ask people to use the vote that these people in 1839 actually died for.”

Events are planned from Merthyr Tydfil to Monmouth, with a focus on Newport.

Les James, who has helped organise the events, said: “We are very excited and have had a good response from people. We have got some really big hitters giving lectures and there are some exciting secrets to be revealed at the Chartist convention.”

The first event in Newport will be a lecture at Newport Museum on Sir Thomas Philips called The Great Hero of the Newport Rising, which is on October 28 at 7pm.

The following Friday, rock fans can wind down from the lecture with a concert at Le Pub with bands including Thee Faction and Attila the Stockbroker.

On November 1, the annual South Wales Chartist Convention will be held at Newport City Campus from 10am.

The day will include various speakers and a chance to discuss the milestone in Newport’s history. Booking is essential. E-mail pat.drewett@hotmail.co.uk

School children will march down Stow Hill to Westgate Square as part of the annual Chartist recreation march on November 4, the day of the anniversary, dressed in costumes and carrying placards.

Later that day, there will a public commemoration at the Chartist Memorial stone at St Woolos Cathedral churchyard on Stow Hill.

On November 8, there will be a Chartist Day at Newport Museum with free activities for.

One of the highlights is set to be a tour of the Chartist Trials document collection in the library.

Later in November, Chartist musical The Forgotten will tour theatres in Gwent.