PETERLOO was remembered by people who met at All Saints Church, Enford and walked to the Ship Inn at Upavon.

The Peterloo massacre had happened 200 years earlier in Manchester when a gathering calling for the vote for working people ended in violence. The orator on the day was Henry Hunt a gentleman farmer from near Upavon. He was arrested and later imprisoned.

The walk was organised by Devizes labour Party and chairman Rachael Ross said: “Peterloo took place 200 years ago on 16th August 1819 in Manchester at St Peter’s Field. The gathering there sought political reform - giving working people the vote.

“The meeting was planned as a peaceful protest, with men, women and children wearing their Sunday best and holding laurel leaves representing peace and friendship. It ended in tragedy as the yeomanry and hussars were sent in to the crowd of 60,000, causing panic and mayhem, with 18 killed and many more injured.”