14th June 1812: Luddites drill in the daytime near Ashton-under-Lyne

Although Luddites were well-known for conducting meetings and drilling under the cover of darkness in the night-time, on Sunday 14th June 1812, they demonstrated their audacity and confidence by drilling during the daytime on the borders of Lancashire and Cheshire near to the town of Ashton-under-Lyne.

Whilst Sunday morning church services were taking place nearby, a group of  around 500 people assembled on a hillside near the town at 11.00 a.m. and, at the signal of a gunshot, a flag was raised, and then drilling commenced, with the group forming themselves into a line. After 20 minutes the whole group dispersed (again at the signal of a gun) before any military could arrive (one account has repeated assemblies and dispersals at the signals).

There were rumours that another assembly would take place the following day, and the general feeling was that the area was 'on the eve of rising'.

6th June 1812: Luddites drilling at Soothill Wood, West Ardsley

At 10.00 p.m. on Saturday 6th June, 'a number of men' armed with muskets were seen to be drilling on the edge of Soothill Wood in the Parish of West Ardsley.

A Mr Hemsworth of Woodchurch later deposed that he heard drilling at the same location between 1.00 & 2.00 a.m. the following morning at the same location.