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A life-size figure of a cropper, wearing a leather apron and clogs, flourishing his shears. His daughter, pulling at his apron, will be forced to go to work herself rather than school if he loses his job. The statue is made from stainless steel and both characters are wearing period dress from 1812, including clogs they would have worn on their feet. Standing near to the statue is a large pair of shears with an information plaque. The statue was commissioned to commemorate the 200th anniversary of the Luddites’ attack at Rawfolds Mill in Liversedge on 11th April 1812, who tried to destroy automated machinery which could do the work of four men. Around 150 Luddites attacked the mill with hammers and axes but were repelled by the owner, William Cartwright, who had fortified the building with the help of militia.

Title

Luddite Memorial (Cropper)

Date

2012

Medium

stainless steel

Accession number

WF15_MPC_S053

Acquisition method

commissioned by Spen Valley Civic Society

Work type

Monument

Owner

Spen Valley Civic Society

Custodian

Spen Valley Civic Society

Work status

extant

Unveiling date

14th April 2012

Access

at all times

Inscription description

THE LUDDITE UPRISING 1812 / AT A TIME WHEN TO BE OUT OF WORK / MEANT STARVATIONWORKERS MET / IN SECRET AT / THE SHEARS INN HIGHTOWN / AND MADE THEIR PLANS / FOR SMASHING MACHINERY / CROPPERS WERE CENTRAL TO THIS. / THEY USED HAND HELD SHEARS TO / TRIM THE NAP FOM CLOTH, BUT A / MACHINE COULD DO THE WORK OF / FOUR MEN. / THIS STATUE DEPICTS A DEFIANT / CROPPER IN JACKSON’S CROPPING / ‘SHOP’ AT THE CORNER OF AQUILA LANE (HARE PARK LANE) / A FAMILIY MAN, HE HAS JUST HEARD / THAT WILLIAM CARTWRIGHT HAS / ORDERED MORE OF THE INFERNAL / SHEARING FRAMES FOR HIS / RAWFORDS MILL. / AROUND MIDNIGHT 12TH APRIL 1812 / ALL HELL BROKE LOOSE WHEN / 150 LUDDITES ATTACKED THE MILL / WITH HAMMERS AND AXES. TWO MEN WERE SHOT AND THE ATTACK / WAS REPULSED / MEN CARRYING THEIR WOUNDED / MAY HAVE FLED VIA KNOWLER HILL / SEVENTEEN LUDDITES WERE / LATER HANGED AT YORK.

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