AHEAD of Newport’s first Chartist festival in November, a Chartist Convention is taking place.

The Chartist Convention will be on Saturday, October 27, at John Frost School, Newport, between 9.30am and 4.30pm.

It will be chaired by Dr Elin Jones, from Our Chartist Heritage (OCH), who fund the Convention and who received National Lottery funding for Newport Rising festival, the following weekend.

The day will commence with a Chartism presentation, by John Frost School pupils, and will include a range of guest speakers

The morning will focus on the centenary of women’s suffrage, with Professor Jane Aaron on ‘Early Feminism and Chartism before 1866,’ Dr Ryland Wallace on ‘The Women’s Suffrage Movement.’ and Dr Rachel Lock-Lewison ‘The difference the vote made: women, politics and activism after 1918.’

Following lunch, there will be plenty more interesting entertainment.

Stroud history group will give a presentation on Chartist pubs, Dr Matthew Roberts will discuss 'The material and visual culture of Chartism,' and Brian Davies will talk about Dr William Price.

The day is sure to be a fascinating exploration of heritage and history, with regular refreshment breaks.

To book your place, search 'Chartist Convention' on Eventbrite.

Today will also see the official opening of a trail of roundels, voted for by the public, inspired by the Chartist movement. You can read more about the trail here.

The following weekend will be the debut of Newport Rising Festival, which you can read about here.