Paisley’s 'hidden' history brought to life by museum project

The display at Paisley Museum, which is undergoing £45million worth of refurbishment work, will focus on the role that local 'radicals' in the 19th century played in the fight for democracy and the right to vote to be extended to ordinary workers.

Archie Henderson, social history researcher at OneRen, said the perfect recipe for making radical reformers was created in Paisley by the majority of the town's self-educated weavers attaining military experience during the Napoleonic Wars.

He told The Gazette: "Paisley soon became recognised by the government as a nest of radical activity – it was considered a dangerous place.

"Those involved wanted change. There was high inflation and unemployment when people returned from war, and that just exacerbated problems."

In 1819, 18 protesters seeking political reform were killed by government forces in Manchester.

Following the Peterloo Massacre, radicals in Paisley staged a rally in support of the victims. Some 20,000 people from across southwest Scotland attended.

The local government issued a ban on the display of flags and banners of a political or inflammatory nature – a ban disregarded by those attending.

After a peaceful demonstration, police seized banners from reformers passing through Paisley Cross. A scuffle broke out, which escalated into a riot which lasted for the best part of a week.

The new display at Paisley Museum will feature posters that were distributed by the local government and magistrates, pleading with people to heed curfews and refrain from protests. 

Also on display is what is known as the 'radical pike' – a fierce weapon made from iron files sharpened to a point by local blacksmiths, affixed to a six-foot long pole. 

Archie said that it was "a miracle" that no-one was killed during the week of riots in 1819.

However, the protest, along with others led to the Great Reform Act in 1832, when the franchise was extended to working men, leading the way for further progressive developments in the evolution of British democracy.

Archie added: "I hope those who come to the museum understand that by coming together, no matter the odds, big changes can happen – and the Paisley radicals played a huge role that can still be felt in our democracy to this day."