Tolpuddle Festival: A friendly, diverse, group of people and entertainment for everyone
Hannah writes about why she will be attending the Tolpuddle Martyrs’ festival (18-20 July) and its importance to the trade union movement.
In 1834 six farm labourers were persecuted for protesting wage cuts and forming a trade union. The mass protests that followed their deportation changed the labour movement forever, and what was once a small commemoration of their legacy is now a thriving, vibrant celebration of solidarity where a picturesque Dorset village comes alive each year with music, talks, and banners held high by people from across our movement.
For my first Tolpuddle, many years ago, I just went on Sunday to see what it was all about, doing a shift at the PCS stall and enjoying the speeches, the march and music. I loved it and decided to do the full weekend next year.
Since then, I have been attending every year! Listening to or taking part in talks and panels as chair or speaker, laying the wreath on behalf of PCS and the TUC, processing on the Sunday, enjoying a drink with comrades in the sun or rain, having a good dance, meeting activists from around the world, and generally becoming part of the big Tolpuddle Festival family. A friendly, diverse, ever-growing group of people who are waiting to welcome you too.
Another highlight of Tolpuddle is the music. As we know, music is a powerful tool, and international artists now chase the chance to play at the festival. This year the diverse line-up includes Grace Petrie, Onika Venus, Nasty Fishmonger, Logic, Dryadic, the Halfway Kid, and regular favourites the Skimmity Hitchers and Billy Bragg. I’ll be jogging between all the stages trying to watch all of it!
This year Unite union is providing shuttle buses between Dorchester and the village, and there is transport from many other places. With cheaper tickets for young people, I am so pleased to see the festival is getting more and more accessible.
Trade unions come together with activists, community organisers and MPs to create a diverse and thought-provoking set of panels, talks and workshops. It includes a workshop on Standing up to Bailiffs and Landlords with ACORN and debates like End the Genocide! Stop Arming Israel (organised by Palestine Solidarity Campaign). But it is also a safe, friendly, family festival. The kids’ field is a special space for young people where they enjoy storytelling, crafts, cooking, and all manner of activities as well as their own private gigs.
I am part of the TUC crew as well, perhaps directing a coach here or moving a haybale there. But getting involved in the festival has allowed me to really feel part of it. I have made friends for life, and there are so many opportunities to join in as a volunteer for the union or as TUC crew. With the bonus of free tickets and coupons to spend, as the festival reimburses all its volunteers and artists.
So why is this a must-attend festival for trade unionists today? There are always magical moments, from the huge support for our speaker last year - Husam Zomlot the Palestinian Ambassador to the UK - to the traditional west-country dance, to the Skimmiti Hitchers’ badger song or looking across the peaceful green valley at dusk. And this sort of solidarity is a powerful tool to maintain momentum in our workplace activism and beyond, learning about struggles of comrades internationally and taking new strategies back to our workplaces. It’s not just a lovely camping spot; it’s also an opportunity to come together with familiar and new people and ideas and enjoy ourselves in a way that revives us for the ongoing struggle. Hopefully see you there.