Pit pony leads way for Dawley walk to mark Cinderloo uprising
It has been many a year since the sounds of a horse and cart have been heard down Dawley High Street.
But as more than 50 people gathered to mark the Cinderloo uprising last week, they were led by Jarvis the pit pony and Gary Powell.
The crowd were following the trail of protesting miners in 1821, who risked everything to oppose cuts to their wages.
About 3,000 men and women marched from all corners of what is now Telford – with many being injured of even killed by the local yeomanry.
They gathered near the current Forge Retail Park, where a battle ensued.
The walk was just the latest attempt by the Cinderloo 1821 group to remember those who died that day.
And it was only the first in a number of plans they have for the coming year, which will include working with schools to raise awareness of the little known chapter in Telford's history.
Anniversary
Pete Jackson, a member of the group's committee, said: "We followed the route the marchers took, six miles around the Dawley Heritage Trail.
"We had 51 people join the walk – a really good turnout. It's really taking off.
"We keep getting people with different interests getting in touch, and we're thinking we'll sustain this through."
It is hoped that they will raise enough awareness of the campaign to mark the Cinderloo uprising by its 200th anniversary.
"We have got a lot planned," Pete said.
"We've linked up with the Battlefields Trust, who are a national organisation that researches battles.
"There's a local guy from Much Wenock who's involved with them and we're going to do a walk with them. They use geotechnology and metal detecting. We will be researching where the battle took place.
"There are also five or six schools who want to do something this year to raise awareness.
"The Wrekin Housing Trust has agreed to do some work with us around recording the route marchers would have taken and links between whole communities that would have existed in 1821."
For more information about Cinderloo or about the group visit cinderloo.com
