A PIECE of Chartist history from Newport’s former department store has been retained for posterity.

A panorama panel used in an historic Wildings window display has been saved and will now be sold in aid of charity to the highest bidder

Wildings, established in 1874, announced it would soon crease trading in Newport, having done so for 144 years.

The two-piece panel display on light board depicts a scene from the Chartists revolt outside Newport’s Westgate hotel painted by renowned Newport artist John Wright in 1978.

The backdrop, a representation of the original commissioned by Wildings, was used by the Commercial Street department store as part of its celebrations of the anniversary of the 1839 uprising.

The anniversary also saw staff dress as Chartists and serve customers kitted out in contemporary clothes.

Chartists Rally expert cobbler Kelvin Reddicliffe, of Timpson’s, Austin Friars, near Friars Walk, Newport, rescued the artwork.

Mr Reddicliffe makes and sells various pieces of Chartist memorabilia including that relating to the destroyed Chartists Mural, to raise funds for Newport-based St David’s Hospice Care and other charities.

Mr Reddicliffe said: “I contacted Wildings Managing Director, Peter James, and asked him if he had any memorabilia from the department store that he could let me have to auction for charity. I was thrilled when he gave me these two panels, also a fantastic, original carved gilded wooden sign and a roller advertising banner.”

Mr Reddicliffe, who is researching his acquisitions, said: “According to a book on Wildings, published to commemorate the store’s 125th anniversary, the original, smaller painting by John Wright hanged in the managing director’s office at one time. I’d love to know where that original painting is and to be able to compare it with my print.”

Mr Reddicliffe, thanking Peter James for the kind gifts, said: “I also have a personal interest in the Newport artist, John Wright, who, when he was principal at Newport Art College gave me my first interview. It was for a job as a technician in the graphics department. I’d just left Caerleon Secondary Modern 49 years ago, aged 15 - I didn’t get the job.”

Anyone interested in knowing more about the Wildings Chartist memorabilia should pop in to see Mr Reddicliffe at Timpson’s, Austin Friars, Newport.