The Red Flag Rising is a day long festival helf annually at St Elvan's, commemorating the historic first raising of the Red Flag in the UK, in May 1831 on Hirwaun Common, Rhondda Cynon Taf
The 2026 Festival will take place on Saturday May 30th, and a timetable for the day can be found below
Featuring and focused around the famed Red Poets Society, the inaugural festival took place on Saturday May 31st 2025 - the very anniversary of the inaugural raising of the Red Flag at Hirwaun - and featured a selection of presentations and open discussion with Guest Speakers, interspersed with spoken word by members of The Red Poets
Guest speakers for the 2025 festival were Beth Winter and Leanne Wood with the featured Red Poets for 2025 being Huw Doyle, Leanne Evans, Jaz Gerard, Mike Jenkins, Al Jones, Gerhard Kress, Nick McGaughey, Rebecca Royall and Julie Watkins
The event is completely FREE of charge and the full timetable for both the 2026 and 2025 festivals are outlined below
The 2026 Red Flag Rising marks the 195th anniversary of the raising of the Red Flag on Hirwaun Common and will take place here at St Elvan's on Saturday May 30th. 2026 guest speakers include Mark Brake, Anastazia Thomas and more
If you are interested in getting involved in the Red Flag Rising, or any of our heritage events, contact us by email here
The 2026 Festival will take place on Saturday May 30th, and a timetable for the day can be found below
Featuring and focused around the famed Red Poets Society, the inaugural festival took place on Saturday May 31st 2025 - the very anniversary of the inaugural raising of the Red Flag at Hirwaun - and featured a selection of presentations and open discussion with Guest Speakers, interspersed with spoken word by members of The Red Poets
Guest speakers for the 2025 festival were Beth Winter and Leanne Wood with the featured Red Poets for 2025 being Huw Doyle, Leanne Evans, Jaz Gerard, Mike Jenkins, Al Jones, Gerhard Kress, Nick McGaughey, Rebecca Royall and Julie Watkins
The event is completely FREE of charge and the full timetable for both the 2026 and 2025 festivals are outlined below
The 2026 Red Flag Rising marks the 195th anniversary of the raising of the Red Flag on Hirwaun Common and will take place here at St Elvan's on Saturday May 30th. 2026 guest speakers include Mark Brake, Anastazia Thomas and more
If you are interested in getting involved in the Red Flag Rising, or any of our heritage events, contact us by email here
Red Flag Rising 2025
10:00
Doors Open
FREE Comm-unity Cuppa
FREE tea & coffee and networking on arrival
10:30
Introduction & Welcome
Beth Winter
11:00
The Red Flag, Hirwaun
History & Context
with Anastazia Thomas & Nick Nedsky
12:00
Lunch Break
13:00
The Red Flag Today
Socialism in the 21st Century
with Beth Winter & Leanne Wood
14:30
Coffee Break
15:00
Red Flag Rising 2026 and Beyond
Open Session
16:30
Close
10:00
Doors Open
FREE Comm-unity Cuppa
FREE tea & coffee and networking on arrival
10:30
Introduction & Welcome
Beth Winter
11:00
The Red Flag, Hirwaun
History & Context
with Anastazia Thomas & Nick Nedsky
12:00
Lunch Break
13:00
The Red Flag Today
Socialism in the 21st Century
with Beth Winter & Leanne Wood
14:30
Coffee Break
15:00
Red Flag Rising 2026 and Beyond
Open Session
16:30
Close
Red Flag Rising 2026 will take place in a slightly expanded format on Saturday May 30th 2026
Please follow St Elvan's social media for updates
To contact us regarding the Red Flag Rising, click here
Red Flag Rising 2026
10:00
Doors Open
FREE Comm-unity Cuppa
FREE tea & coffee and networking on arrival
10:15
Red Poet I
10:30
Introduction & Welcome
The Red Flag
Hirwaun - History & Context
Anastazia Thomas
11:15
Red Poet II
11:30
Revolution
Mark Brake
12:15
Lunch Break & Networking
13:00
Red Poet III
13:15
The Red Flag Today
Post-Senedd Elections - Socialism in the 21st Century
14:00
Red Poet IV
14:15
Red Flag Rising 2027 and Beyond
15:00
Summary & Close
