On 11 June 2025 in the Rhondda Valley town of Tonypandy, this event is planned to commemorate ‘the Battle of de Winton Field’ which took place there on that date in 1936.
The battle was a clash between the British Union of Fascists and local anti-fascist demonstrators, estimated to be 6,000 in number. It was the BUF's last attempt to hold a rally in Wales, having previously organised similar events in Swansea, Cardiff and Pontypridd. On the day of the battle a group of Blackshirts attempted to stage a rally in a field near Tonypandy town centre. The fascists were protected by the police and the situation escalated into violence with the throwing of stones. The large crowd celebrated its success by singing the communist anthem ‘The Red Flag.’ Whilst the fascists were escorted out of Tonypandy, thirty-seven locals were arrested, including women, and were to be charged on 137 counts of riot, incitement to riot, unlawful assembly, breach of the peace, and disturbing a public meeting. Several were given six-month prison sentences. Of the thirty-seven summonsed, four would shortly be travelling to Spain to fight in another battle against fascism, defending the cause of the Republican Government against Franco’s military coup.
The commemorative event this year will be held in the NUM Club in Tonypandy commencing at 7pm. Speakers will include former Labour MP Beth Winter, General Secretary of the Communist Party Rob Griffiths and Morning Star political reporter Andrew Murray. In remembering the Battle of de Winton Field in 1936 the event will also focus on the current fight against the rise of fascism and far-right populism.
An application has been submitted to place a blue plaque near the site of the Battle of de Winton Field, which if agreed could provide the focal point for a larger event on its 90th anniversary in 2026.
