Follow the Yarn

The early 1840s became known as the hungry forties. There was a national depression and poverty was widespread in Preston. The mill owners reduced wages by 10%. The working classes looked to the Chartist Movement to improve their situation.

On 13th August 1842, a large group of protesters marched through the town centre. In Lune Street they were confronted by the 72nd Highland Regiment. Rioting began and the soldiers fired on the crowd. Five men were killed.

A full account of the 1842 shootings is available in the database.

The Guild of 1842 took place two weeks after the shootings. It was very tense. The cotton trades had become so large and important that they formed a separate procession of their own. In 1842 there was also the first ever procession by schoolchildren. The depression soon ended but returned again in 1847 when the soup kitchens were opened once again.