Town to remember Rebecca Rioters

Daniel Lewis' grave has been cleaned and restored at Goppa Chapel

A direct descendant of one of the men who led the Rebecca Riots will help a south Wales town mark its pivotal role in the 19th century uprising.

Commemorative stones are being placed at the sites of two toll-gates that were attacked in Pontarddulais in 1843.

It is the first step in a project civic leaders hope will lead to the creation of a museum in the town.

The uprising in Pontarddulais, which was part of a wider protest against the introduction of toll-gates in the area, was led by Daniel Lewis.

Sometimes I don't think we in Wales do enough to shout about ourselves and our history Councillor Philip Gill

His great grandson David Vaughan Thomas, whose father was the late writer and broadcaster Wynford Vaughan Thomas, will visit his grave at Goppa Chapel in Pontarddulais at the weekend when the two stones will be unveiled.

They have been placed at the original sites of the toll-gates - at Bolgoed near the Fountain Inn and near the train station.

The Bolgoed gate was attacked at midnight on 6 July 1843 by about 200 men led by Daniel Lewis, who was arrested shortly after.

The attack on the second gate followed in September and saw gunfire exchanged between rioters and police.

Former mayor of Pontarddulais, Philip Gill, is behind the plans to mark the riots.

He said: "The two stones are being unveiled on Saturday.

Goppa Chapel is just a stone's throw from where the riots took place

"This has been bandied about for some time and will hopefully put the town on the map a little bit.

"I think people in Pontarddulais are aware of our history and the riots - I know it is taught in the local schools.

"We are hopeful it will lead on to the opening of a museum in the Bont.

"Sometimes I don't think we in Wales do enough to shout about ourselves and our history.

"A museum is something that may well attract people to the Bont."

Mr Gill said the grave of Daniel Lewis had recently been cleaned and restored. Flowers will be laid there after the two stones are unveiled.

The case against Daniel Lewis never proceeded because prosecutors could not find witnesses willing to testify.

Eventually the authorities of the day had to concede defeat and most of the hated toll-gates were legally removed in 1844.