An evening of readings is set to remember the Swing Riots of 1830 and will be held at Micheldever Church on June 22.

Two academics from the University of Winchester, Professor Bill Lucas, Chair of The English Project and Director of the Centre for Real-World Learning, and Professor Christopher Mulvey, Emeritus Professor of English, will spearhead the event.

The Swing rioters were primarily southern workers who opposed the rise of farm mechanisation and protested their poor pay and conditions.

The riots were one of the largest 19th-century social unrest movements in England. However, the event is often overlooked in favour of more remembered movements such as the Luddites or Tolpuddle Martyrs.

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The English Project, under the leadership of Professor Lucas, aims to refocus attention on the Swing Riots in preparation for its bicentenary in 2030.

Joining the academic duo at the readings will be Nigel Bradshaw, Samuel Collings and community historian, Edward Fennell.

Mr Bradshaw, also serving as director for the night, is a professional actor as is Mr Collings.

The selection of Micheldever Church as the event venue is particularly fitting. Local man Henry Cook, then 19, was hanged for his involvement in the riots. His memorial stone is housed in the church.

Cook was one of 300 individuals, tried at a Grand Assize in Winchester Great Hall, nearly all of whom were convicted.

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Those who escaped the death penalty were imprisoned or exiled to the colonies.

The evening’s readings will commemorate Cook and others like him, featuring JR Ackerley’s poem 'Micheldever', penned in 1940.

Works by Lord Byron, William Cobbett and John Clare, contemporary to the riots, will also feature, alongside newspaper report readings from the period.

Tickets cost £14 and include a free pre-entertainment glass of wine, available from 6.30pm.

Professor Lucas said: "The story of Cook is well-known along the Dever Valley but more generally the Swing Riots and their significance have been forgotten.

"The riots are a highly important but sadly neglected part of Hampshire’s history. It is hoped that Captain Swing’s Message to Micheldever will start to remedy that, as will the wider commemorations being coordinated by The English Project."