1831 Riots

©Bryan Phillips Nov 2024

Blandford Museum has been been working with the University of the West of England (UWE) to bring the story of the 1831 Reform Riots to public attention.

One of the riots took place in Blandford over three days in October 1831 as part of the demand for electoral reform and social change.

Part of the collaboration is the creation of a soundscape, an interactive audio experience which tells this powerful story through a self-guided walk visiting key sites where riotous behaviour took place. You can listen to the call for the Riot Act to be read and to the sound of troops on horseback charging at the rioters.

This is accessed by a user-friendly app that can be downloaded to smartphones. The soundscape will be launched at the Blandford Literary Festival. Participants will be able to download the app, with help if needed, or listen to it on a loudspeaker. The walks will last an hour.

for information on the rest of the programme Blandford Literary Festival.