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MARTYRS STORY |
One of the country's best arts and music festivals is also a celebration of trade union activisim. Sharon Watson looks at how Dorset's Tolpuddle Festival celebrates the lives of six young men who stood up for their rights
Summer sounds, sunshine and solidarity
The sleepy Dorset village of Tolpuddle wakes up this month when thousands
of trade unionists from across the country and beyond join together to
celebrate the Tolpuddle Festival.
The home of the Tolpuddle Martyrs (see box, left) has been a focus of
annual union rallies since Victorian times, but in recent years the political
side of the day has been complemented by a burgeoning music and arts festival,
which has encouraged more families and young people to make the trip.
And that’s all good news for the festival, says event organiser
Nigel Costley, from the South West TUC.
“We are delighted at how the festival has grown. It has become a
much more diverse family friendly celebration of trade unionism,”
says Nigel.
“It’s happened by including a mix of music and politics, workshops
and stalls that suits all tastes.
“Although we still cover the serious issues and trade union campaigns,
we’ve created an environment where people can come and have a great
time together with friends and comrades, and have a nice summer’s
day out, whatever their music tastes or political outlook.”
UNISON always has a strong presence at the festival, and is one of the
official sponsors of the event. Members are invited to rally behind the
union’s banner for the parade and visit the UNISON stall on site.
Tolpuddle regular and UNISON member Jon Brown, from Eastleigh Borough
council, is a festival fan. He is planning to take his family for the
weekend and camp on site. He says:
"When I first went it was a small rally, and I found it in equal
parts inspiring, moving and entertaining. It made me damned proud to be
a UNISON member.”
“I still come away at the end of a great day out feeling the same
and wanting every member and their families to come along - it's too good
to miss."
One innovation this year is the summer school, which is being run alongside
the festival. Young trade unionists from Britain and Europe are camping
on site for the week leading up to the festival and taking part in daily
workshops on union issues and site visits to workplaces in the area. If
it proves successful, it will become an annual event.
The festival itself runs from 16 to 18 July with the main rally and speeches
on the Sunday afternoon. This year’s speakers include rally veteran
Tony Benn; his son Hilary, the Secretary of State for international development;
home office minister Hazel Blears; and a 16-year-old Guatemalan woman
who will be highlighting the dire plight of child labourers in her country.
Tolpuddle Man, Graham Moore’s musical play about the Martyrs’
story will be performed on the Friday evening, followed by a ceilidh.
Musical entertainment over the weekend is provided by a wide range of
acts including Cuban dance band Asere, folk rockers the Oyster Band and
the ever-popular Dhol Blaster drummers from Birmingham.
No Tolpuddle Festival would be complete without an appearance by Billy
Bragg, who lives up the road. This year he has a few surprises up his
sleeve:
“I will be playing a few new songs this year if I get around to
finishing them in time, and I hope to be around for the whole day.
“I’m not sure the Martyrs themselves would appreciate my guitar
style, but music’s moved on a bit since their day. People have chosen
to keep their memory alive, which is great, particularly in Dorset, which
is not generally known for its union activity.”
Coaches are being organised by the TUC from London and other cities –
contact your UNISON branch for details. Camping is available for the weekend
at £20 per pitch.
More information is available from 
the TUC website and the Tolpuddle Martyrs website
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