WITH a general election in the offing, young people gained an insight into democracy at a historic venue that played a big role in the battle for votes.

Youngsters celebrated National Democracy Week (NDW) at an event at Monmouth’s Shire Hall, scene of the Chartist trial in 1839 to 40.

The ringleaders of the Newport uprising were sentenced to be hanged drawn and quartered for treason in the old courtroom, which is set today exactly as it was during the trial 180 years ago.

It was the last such sentence handed down in the UK, and was thankfully reduced to transportation to Australia for the three men convicted.

And despite being severely punished, the Chartists’ democratic demands for votes and other rights finally won the day.

Hannah Blythyn AM, Welsh Government Deputy Minister for Housing and Local Government, attended the NDW event, along with Cllr Sara Jones, Monmouthshire Cabinet Member for Social Justice and Community Development.

Young people listened to both as they spoke of how important it is to have a voice and how proud they are to represent their communities.

Interactive workshops followed the empowering presentations, and young people were given the opportunity to discuss some of the existing methods to enable their voices to be heard.

School councils and the county youth forum Engage 2 Change were popular choices.

It was also identified that there is a need to engage young people who are sometimes not keen to speak out, but have valuable views and opinions.

The day provided important advice, encouraging them to believe in themselves, take chances and to not be afraid to put their heads above the parapet for something they believe in.

The session was followed by a discussion on democracy and looked at some of the issues that have arisen from the recent Make your Mark campaign.

Make your Mark is led by the British Youth Council and supported by local authorities across the UK.

More than 2,700 young people from Monmouthshire voted on issues they feel are important to them on nationally, Wales-wide and locally, with the environment and knife crime of particular concern.

The results of the survey will be debated at an event in December, where young people will decide what actions need to take place to try and tackle the issues that are important to them.

The group were gui-ded on a tour of the Shire Hall, the building itself brimming with history of democratic process and power, by Graham Thomas, a local historian who volunteers at the historic building.

The young people valued the experience and were keen to ask questions whilst in the cell and imposing courtroom.

Cllr Sara Jones said: “Democracy events are so important for me and the council to find out what the burning issues are for young people.

“The council is keen to make Monmouthshire a better place to live and work and the voice of young people is vital in acting on their information make this happen.

“They are our future, if we don’t listen now we will never know what is important.

“I feel very strongly about enabling everyone to have their say.

“The council has many opportunities to listen and we need to help everyone have their voices heard.”

Hannah Blythyn added: “National Democracy Week is an important opportunity to use the experience, insight and passion in our communities to increase democratic participation.

“I was really pleased to attend this event to share my own experiences and hear about the issues that matter to young people in Monmouthshire.

“My main message to these young people was that everybody can make a difference through individual actions and there are so many different ways to be involved in democracy and make your mark.

“I also talked about the upcoming Local Government and Elections (Wales) Bill, which will give 16 and 17 year olds in Wales the opportunity to vote in local elections, a change that will affect these young people in the near future,” she added.