ONE year after the campaign to save the Chartist Mural was launched, plans for a replacement commemoration are taking shape.

The mosaic in John Frost Square was demolished on October 3 last year as part of the new Friar’s Walk shopping development, amid public outcry over the council’s perceived lack of engagement with the public.

A commission was set up to find a replacement, with Dr Rowan Williams, Newport West AM Dame Rosemary Butler and Patrick Drewett, chairman of the Chartist Anniversary Committee, appointed.

Now a timeframe to decide on a replacement has been announced with a public consultation set to begin in March next year.

A project manager is also currently being recruited, and the commission will then seek artist applications before ideas are put to the people of Newport.

On November 4, 1839, thousands of chartists marched to the Westgate Hotel where fellow chartists were being kept imprisoned.

Soldiers opened fire on the protestors, killing 22 chartists.

The Chartist movement called for reforms to the political system, demanding the vote for every man aged 21 or older.

Mosaic artist Stephanie Roberts said she hopes to put in a bid to design the new artwork, possibly with a collective of other local artists.

She said: “It has been a long time coming, so let’s crack on with the process and see what exciting ideas come out.

“An artist or a collective in Newport should benefit, even if it’s in collaboration with other artists from South Wales. It’s important to keep money in the area – we are losing so much, especially now after losing Caerleon Campus.

“I think people will always be extremely disappointed with Newport council for the way the whole situation was handled. It was disgusting. But on a positive note there are a lot of positive art groups forming and developing in Newport.”

Mark Hand, a council officer helping the commission, said: “The timescale is maybe relatively long in some people’s opinions but we don’t want to set out with a short time scale that means it is a bit half baked.

“The most important bit is the public consultation. It could be a fantastic piece of art like a sculpture or something like a picture or a mural or it could be some kind of event.”

Pat Butcher, 68, whose late father was depicted in the mural, said people had not forgotten the mural’s destruction.

“When they destroyed it I cried,” she said. “I felt as though I had lost my dad all over again. I would like to see a copy somewhere, even if it’s a photo put in the museum somewhere. I would love to see it rebuilt but I don’t think that will be practicable.”

Commissioner Pat Drewett said: “There are a lot of people working very hard to promote Chartism and democracy. Newport is the home of the vote, effectively, and it’s a really wonderful thing. People should be optimistic about the way forward.”

Although the commission were not coordinating the 175th anniversary of the Chartist march, Mr Drewett said many events were planned in the city including a convention at the University of South Wales, music, poetry and the annual march to the Westgate Hotel by school pupils which might be televised this year.