Emsworth's Forgotten Insurrection is the next temporary exhibition in Emsworth Museum starting on 12 July. Emsworth Museum focuses on historical events in Emsworth and the surrounding area. However, just occasionally, Emsworth finds itself at the centre of national or international events. D-Day is one such example.

However, there are others. In November 1830, insurrection swept across southern England with a campaign aimed at destroying threshing machines. These upheavals became known as the Swing Riots named after the pseudonym of the writer of letters threatening farmers with the destruction of their threshing machines. There were three areas where the impact was greatest - East Kent, North Hampshire and the Emsworth area.

This exhibition sets out the causes of the revolt in and around Emsworth and Westbourne; the authorities' response and the penalties imposed on those who were caught. The ringleaders were transported to Tasmania for 7 years. After they served their time, some of those transported had very successful careers in Australia.

This prompts the question - who organised the riots, or were they a spontaneous outburst against an unjust society? Remarkably, the underlying causes of the social unrest in 1830 are similar to social issues today - low wages; unintended consequences of legislation; and climate change. One can understand the despair and frustration of the young men who were involved in the riots. They had nothing to lose as they hurled themselves against an unsympathetic establishment. Today, Emsworth seems an unlikely location for an insurrection. 195 years ago, it was a different matter.

Emsworth Museum is open on Saturdays, Bank Holidays and Fridays in August from 10:30 am until 4:30 pm. On Sundays the Museum is open from 1:30 pm until 4:30 pm.

The EMS 10th  July