New Rochdale Made Music - Peter's Field

Peter's Field is a new Rochdale made musical marking one of the most momentous days in working class history.

On 16th August 1819, 60,000 working people gathered peacefully in Manchester to advocate parliamentary reform at a time when most people could not vote. 3,000 came from Rochdale. They were violently dispersed by the authorities who sent in the yeomanry cavalry to arrest the speakers and clear the field. At least 18 people were killed and hundreds injured in what became known as the Peterloo Massacre. 

Peter's Field has been written by award winning songwriter (and member of the Young’uns) Sean Cooney. To perform the songs he will be joined by twice Mercury nominated Eliza Carthy MBE and critically acclaimed guitarist and singer songwriter Sam Carter. The 15 original songs will be recorded for an album at Rochdale's Voltalab Sound Studios later this year and will be performed live at Long Street Methodist Church, Middleton on the 17th October. 

The songs comprise a compelling narrative drawn from hundreds of eye witness accounts. Peter's Field is a story of struggle, tyranny, liberty and hope. 

Images taken from a recent research trip including a photo of Sean Cooney speaking to Stephanie Besford West, one of the Touchstones Rochdale museum team, about a truncheon used by one of the yeomanry in the Peterloo massacre.