HUNDREDS of pupils turned out today to commemorate the 175th anniversary of the Chartist rising.

The eighth Newport Young People’s Chartist March took place at 1.30pm this afternoon and saw 300 pupils from across Gwent marching down from Stow Hill, dressed in costumes and holding placards, to Westgate Square in Newport city centre.

Pupils from Malpas Court Primary School, St Joseph’s Primary School, St Julian’s Primary School, Maindee Primary School, St Woolos Primary School, Clytha Primary School, Monmouth Boys School and Ysgol Gyfun Gwynllyw were all in high spirits as they marched through the city centre, chanting and waving flags before ending in Westgate Square to re-enact the chartist rising in 1839.

The walk today marked 175 years after 22 protestors were shot dead in Newport for demanding the right to vote. The 22 were part of the Chartist movement, calling for suffrage to be extended.

Chairman of the Chartist Anniversary Committee, Pat Drewett, helped organise the event, he said: “Today is about getting people involved in our future not just commemorating what has been.

Today is very poignant it’s the 175th anniversary and the march this year is bigger than ever, it’s a very significant milestone.”

Mr Drewett said: “The march today has encouraged young people to get involved in their local history and events such as this allows Newport to act as a beacon for other countries.” He said the march was important in not only, reminding people of the injustice that happened years ago, but celebrating citizenship and focusing on progression into the future.

Malpas Court Primary School pupil, Niall Burrell age 10 walked in his third Chartist march today, he said: “Today has been very interesting and really good; we’ve been getting ready for about three weeks.

It’s important for people my age to learn about the past and local history at events like these.”

Mayor of Newport, Councillor Matthew Evans also thanked the pupils for participating in the event, explaining to pupils and Newport residents that his great-great-great-great grandfather was Newport printer John Partridge who produced publications for the Chartists. He said: “This is a historical momentous event, not just for the city but for my family as well.”

Mr Drewett also thanked Communities First for funding the event today and all organisers thanked the teachers for the hard work they put int to make the march a success.