Peterloo 2019, From The Crowd - Reading of the names of the dead

Peterloo 2019

Working on Peterloo 2019 was the perfect combination for Fido; the opportunity to work with the fantastic Manchester Histories team, the chance to tell a story about which there was low recognition, the discovery of a history that has defined the DNA of Manchester and a project that would be led from a community focused perspective.

The build up to the 200th anniversary of the Peterloo Massacre took place over a number of years, with conversations and workshops taking place with community groups and cultural organisations to shape the way forward. Fido’s role began in 2017 with the announcement of funding success, followed by the creation of a comms plan that would lead to a milestone moment reflecting the events of 16 August 1819; a day that began with the gathering of 60,000 people in peaceful protest to demand reform and that would end with loss of lives and bloodshed.

In the early stages Fido introduced Imagine to the project, a small design agency based in Manchester’s Northern Quarter. From working in partnership with cultural organisations, individuals and the Peterloo 2019 steering group emerged the brand identity that would carry forward the whole campaign.

Acting as press office for Peterloo 2019 throughout the delivery stages, Fido helped to create a narrative that invited exploration of the Peterloo story from a contemporary perspective, and which was illuminated by the programme of activity created by the Manchester Histories team.

The project unfolded with key moments that included activity around Mike Leigh’s film Peterloo, the go live of a dedicated website, the launch of a learning programme, the reveal of a summer of Peterloo inspired talks, events, screenings and more. The finale was From the Crowd an event that throughout 16 August 2019 invited people to gather together to mark what was an instrumental chapter in the evolution of British democracy, with the Reading of the Names of the Dead at its heart.

National, regional and international media gathered to capture the occasion of this incredibly moving and uplifting day that included poetry, music, song and performance. The fitting conclusion to a project that captured the mood of the people today and remembered those who began the journey and in whose steps they stood.

Collaboration was the central driving force and spirit of Peterloo 2019, with Fido part of a steering group that included the Peterloo Memorial Campaign, Professor Robert Poole and Historic England. Key media partnerships with The Guardian and BBC were secured. Close work was also done with some of the key cultural partners helping to tell the Peterloo story through exhibitions and other activities, including People’s History Museum, The John Rylands Library, National Trust and Manchester Art Gallery.

You can find out more about the project here: https://manchesterhistories.co.uk/projects/peterloo2019