The Kirby Riot
by Malcolm Batty
Thursday 11th December
5pm, Free

Local historian, Malcolm Batty, is giving a talk on the Agricultural Riots that took place in Kirby late in 1830. Through an interest in Local History and Genealogy, he had heard about the Swing Riots, the Tolpuddle Martyrs and how the agricultural labourers protested at the introduction of machines on farms; but it was his involvement in traditional Morris dance and the East Anglian tradition of Molly Dancing that concentrated his attention to the story of Kirby-le-Soken and its place in history. His research into the history of the farm workers of the area in the early 19th century was helped by a visit to Tasmania and speaking to their local historians. He hopes that you find it equally fascinating.”

Come along to The Nose at 5pm on Thursday 11th December 2025 and experience a PowerPoint presentation that brings to life the day when nearly 300 men marched through the village and destroyed farm machinery. The result was that on 11th December 1830, one thousand men rounded up some of the farm workers from the Tendring Hundred and after a trial at Chelmsford had them transported to the other side of the world.

The Kirby Riot booklet will be for sale for £6.