John Henshaw to help mark Peterloo Massacre anniversary

Peterloo Massacre

Actor John Henshaw will read the names of those who were killed in the Peterloo Massacre during a ceremony to mark its anniversary on Wednesday.

Known for his role as Ken Dixon in Early Doors, John will read the newly updated list of 17 names, including as much biographical detail for each individual, during the ceremony at St Peter's Square from 1pm.

A minutes silence will follow at the actual time when the 1819 attack commenced.

On 16 August 1819, 60,000 people from across Lancashire gathered at St Peter’s Field, Manchester, to campaign for parliamentary reform against a backdrop of poverty and squalid living conditions.

Men, women and children assembled to peacefully protest and hear Henry Hunt speak about better conditions for workers. Many were from Rochdale, Middleton and Heywood.

Magistrates sent in the cavalry to “disperse” the crowd and arrest the speakers - 15 were killed and hundreds were injured as the cavalry slashed at innocent people with their sabres.

St Peter's Square was very close to the location of the first casualty, where two-year old William Fildes was trampled to death by a galloping yeomanry soldier at the outskirts of the field.

Following the ceremony, at 2pm, the public are invited to a workshop in Archives+/Central Library to create Peterloo surname placards to bring to the main 'Peterloo Names' rally in Albert Square at 1pm on Sunday.

The Peterloo Memorial Campaign recently published the most up to date list of 1,600 plus people who were at St Peter's Field on August 16 1819 and are inviting the public to represent a surname at this year's annual commemoration rally which takes place on Sunday.

The surname placards will be derived from the newly published list and the public are invited to create a placard based on any of these surnames that resonate with them, be it through family, location or occupation.

The full list can be found at:

www.peterloomassacre.org/names.html