What happened to the most important mosaic in Wales?

No, it wasn’t Roman.

The Chartist mosaic was made in Newport depicting the riots or retaliation to oppression in Wales as a result of fast industrialisation, poor living conditions and not being able to vote. The Chartist Rising happened in the year 1839. Only one in five men had the right to vote; women were behind the men, but were waiting in the wings for their turn. (just in case you were wondering) Previously a petition of 1.3 million signatures was submitted to Parliament but there was no response. In anger the men formed groups and walked day and night, armed with weapons and primitive tools. Starting at Ebbw Vale and Pontypool at the top of the valleys, they gathered forces and came as one mass of 10,000 men. The men marched down the three valleys to meet up a Stow Hill to march towards the Westgate Hotel, Newport.

This mosaic was made by Kenneth Budd in 1978. He lived in Kent.

The mural was created in an underpass, 115 ft long by 13 ft high; the design echoes that of the Bayeaux Tapestry and I even see references to Picasso’s Guernica. It has a great flow of action and is magnificent. There are lots of images on Pinterest- do look them up. A mosaic of 200,000 pieces.

This image was found on Pinterest. The men arrived at the Westgate hotel; the hotel doors opened and soldiers fired upon the rebellious crowd. Pitchforks were no contest to the soldiers guns. It was a blood bath. Twenty two men were killed within half an hour.

This image was found from Wales online. Like many mosaics made in the 1970s; in 2014 it was destroyed to make a shopping centre! Unbelievable!

Now that would be a lovely walk to do if it were still there. My walks are on temporary hold until this god dam weather calms down!