Talk: Riot and Rebellion! The Power Loom Riots
Thursday 30th April 2026 01:00 PM to 02:00 PM
Gawthorpe Hall
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In April 1826 a group of 1,000 angry handloom weavers began attacking the looms and mills of East Lancashire. Find out more about the power loom riots in this talk marking the bice
In April 1826 a group of 1,000 angry handloom weavers began attacking the looms and mills of East Lancashire. Unemployment, poverty and bad harvest had led to despair and over 1,100 looms were attacked in four days. So, what was the official response to the Power Loom Riots? What happened to those tried for the riots at Lancaster? And how guilty were they? Dr Colin Penny shares the story of the Power Loom Riots, in the bicentenary year since this took place.
£8 per person, booking essential, includes entry to the Hall. If the talk is fully booked please join the waiting list and we will be in touch if another is organised.
You can also buy a copy of 'Riot! The Story of the East Lancashire Loom Breakers in 1826' by William Turner in our shop price £5, one of the few books to cover the events in detail.
The image depicting the power loom riots is called 'The Story of Whiteheads' by James Spencer circa 1930s, courtesy of The Whitaker Museum & Art Gallery, Lancashire.
This event is in Servant's Hall in the basement, down 1 flight of stairs inside or flat access from outside.
