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Home » Protest and Politics » Riots and demonstrations » Demonstrations and protests (other)

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  • The following newspaper cuttings refer to a dispute which arose at Llanddwyn, Anglesey, in 1938 regarding the alleged right of the public to have access to Llanddwyn Island. The dispute arose as a result of the decision of the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) to prevent members of the public from gaining access to land on the island. At the same time, discussions had been taking place regarding the need to build a new access road to the Island from Newborough to boost tourism in the area. As the press reports show, local residents became incensed with the actions of the RSPB and organised a mass demonstration on August Bank Holiday. Over a thousand people took part in the arduous four-mile trek from Newborough to the Island. This page features a letter entitled 'The Future of Llanddwyn', by Margaret Evans, Hillingdon, Middlesex, which appeared in the 'North Wales Chronicle', 20 May 1938.
Newspaper cuttings book: reports on the public protest at Llanddwyn, Anglesey, 1938 [p. 25, image 1 of 21]
  • The 1930s saw a number of major disturbances and labour troubles at Taff-Merthyr Colliery, near Bedlinog, due to the problem of company unionism, which threatened to undermine the position of the South Wales Federation of Miners (the Fed). There were a number of violent clashes between members of the Fed and non-unionists or miners who had joined the rival 'scab' or company union. Matters came to a head in October 1934, when 250 members of the Fed were dismissed from the colliery and unemployed miners, who were not members of the Fed, were taken on to replace them. As they made their way to the pit, protected by a large police escort, violent scenes erupted. As many as 300 summonses were issued to people allegedly involved in the 'riots' at the colliery. Following the punitive sentences received by the protestors there were huge demonstrations around Treharris at which S. O. Davies, Arthur Horner and others spoke. The significance of the disturbances in Bedlinog was summed up by Jim Griffiths in that they 'revealed a new spirit of revolt amongst our people' and 'determination to fight for our economic existence'. Source: Merthyr Tydfil Public Libraries, 'The unconquerable spirit: Merthyr Tydfil and District in the 1930s' (1993).
Demonstration against the imprisonment of rioters, Taff-Merthyr, 1936
  • This photograph shows the Mold contingent taking part in the anti-Disestablishment demonstration held in Wrexham on 13 August 1913. Their banner reads 'Mold - Right is Might and will Prevail'. Another banner reads: 'England and Wales, One Nation, One Church'. During the late-nineteenth century onwards, the campaign for the Disestablishment of the Anglican Church had became a central issue in Welsh political and religious life. Disestablishment was seen by many Nonconformists as a particularly 'Welsh' cause, and was an issue which was embraced wholeheartedly by the Welsh Liberal Party from the 1880s onwards. However, as this photograph shows, many Welsh people, notably members of the Conservative Party and Anglican church, did not share such views and were strongly opposed to Disestablishment. Following the collapse of the Liberal government in 1895, the issue had remained unresolved for over a decade, but with the election of a new Liberal government in 1906, which included David Lloyd George as a Cabinet member, the Disestablishment campaign was given a new impetus. A Royal Commission was appointed to report on the matter and in 1914 the Welsh Church Bill received its Royal assent. Owing to the outbreak of the First World War, the matter was again left unresolved and it was not until 1920 that the Welsh Disestablishment Act was finally passed.
Anti-Disestablishment Demonstration at Wrexham, 9 August 1913
  • Photographed by Geoff Charles.
Refusing to pay the licence fee in protest at the poor radio reception in parts of north-east Wales and Montgomeryshire, 12 December 1952
  • Photographed by Geoff Charles.
Refusing to pay the licence fee in protest at the poor radio reception in parts of north-east Wales and Montgomeryshire, 12 December 1952
  • This photograph shows an anti-Disestablishment meeting held in Llanelli, c. 1915. During the late-nineteenth century onwards, the campaign for the Disestablishment of the Anglican Church had became a central issue in Welsh political and religious life. Disestablishment was seen by many Nonconformists as a particularly 'Welsh' cause, and was an issue which was embraced wholeheartedly by the Welsh Liberal Party from the 1880s onwards. However, as this photograph shows, many Welsh people, notably members of the Conservative Party and Anglican church, did not share such views and were strongly opposed to Disestablishment. Following the collapse of the Liberal government in 1895, the issue had remained unresolved for over a decade, but with the election of a new Liberal government in 1906, which included David Lloyd George as a Cabinet member, the Disestablishment campaign was given a new impetus. A Royal Commission was appointed to report on the matter and in 1914 the Welsh Church Bill received its Royal assent. Owing to the outbreak of the First World War, the matter was again left unresolved and it was not until 1920 that the Welsh Disestablishment Act was finally passed.
Protest meeting against Welsh Disestablishment Bill, Minor Market Hall, Llanelli, c. 1915