大象传媒

13 March 2012 Last updated at 07:14

In Pictures: Newport Chartist mural to come down

A 35m (115ft) mural depicting an 1839 uprising in support of democratic reform is to come down in Newport to make way for a development in the city centre. Comprised of 200,000 pieces of tile and glass the mural, showing the story of the Chartist uprising in the town, was completed in 1978.

Newport council says the mural, at the entrance to John Frost Square, has to go to make way for a 拢100m city centre redevelopment. Here the scene shows the fatal confrontation between a march of some 3,000 people, led by the political reformer John Frost, with troops at the Westgate Hotel.

The public have been consulted about four options to replace the 4m (13ft) tall artwork or recreate a section of it elsewhere. Sadly, this scene no longer survives. It was removed in 2007.

John Frost was convicted of treason for his part in the uprising and initially sentenced to death. This was later commuted to transportation to what is now Tasmania. He returned and lived to the age of 93.

The artwork has survived an earlier threat to its existence. It was to be pulled down to make way for a 拢200m shopping scheme but in 2009 that project became a victim of the recession.

The consultation on the alternatives has closed. Newport council says a decision on its replacement will take the public's opinion in to account.

大象传媒

Wales

In Pictures: Newport Chartist mural to come down

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