THE altercation in Rhyl between a demonstrator and deputy prime Minister John Prescott brought the general election campaign to life, 14 years ago this month.

Now a miniature plaque marks the spot and allows the public to read the story on their mobiles. 

John Prescott was walking towards the entrance of the Little Theatre on May 16, 2001 when he was egged by a protestor on the pavement outside. In the ensuing fracas, the cabinet minister was pushed backwards over a low wall while being filmed and photographed by the media. 

The wall now sports a plaque with Quick Response codes, which anyone with a smartphone or tablet can scan to download from the HistoryPoints.org website a concise account of what happened that evening. 

This is one of more than 20 locations in Rhyl where QR codes are available for instant access to fascinating historical facts. The Little Theatre itself has its own QR codes because it’s the first theatre in the UK built specifically for children. Alumni include poet Adrian Henri and film director Sara Sugarman. 

Ruth Pritchard of Rhyl History Club has contributed information about many of the locations in Rhyl which HistoryPoints has featured. 

She said: “The incident when John Prescott visited Rhyl in 2001 has passed into local folklore. I find it fascinating that a QR code can show people where it all happened and tell the story on the spot. 

“These codes are helping to illustrate Rhyl's wonderful, colourful history from the recent as well as distant past. Just a short walk away from the Little Theatre, along the same road, you can scan our QR codes outside Rhyl’s oldest house, Ty’n Rhyl, which is said to contain part of King Henry VIII's bed!”