A family-friendly weekend full of music and comedy, hot topic discussions, workshops and activities for all to enjoy
· The annual three-day Festival organised by the South West TUC celebrates the spark to the trade union movement in a sleepy village in Dorset
Internationalism is high on the agenda at this year’s Tolpuddle Martyrs’ Festival, held on Friday 19 – Sunday 21 July in Tolpuddle,Dorset, with discussions on Germany, Colombia, Cuba, Sudan, Western Sahara, Italy, Palestine and Turkey.The popular three-day event is organised by the South West TUC and is attended by thousands of trade unions from across the world in memory of the six farmworkers transported to Australia after joining a union in 1834.
TUC General Secretary Frances O’Grady and Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn will also be speaking at the Festival along with TUC president Mark Serwotka and Shadow Education Minister Angela Rayner, Shadow Minister for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs David Drew, and Shadow Minister for Labour Laura Pidcock.
Some 30 panel debates cover topics including climate emergency, industrial change, fighting racism, migration policy, arts education and abuse at work.
Music this year is provided by former Fairground Attraction singer Eddi Reader, the rising indie rock band Holy Moly and the Crackers, Derry rockers The Wood Burning Savages and countless others.
For the first time this year, there will also be DJ sessions, together with well-established comedy and poetry slots.
TUC Regional Secretary of the South West Nigel Costley said:
“This year’s programme is more varied than ever before, truly reflecting the passion and diversity of the trade union movement.”
“The event goes from strength to strength, with many people finding it recharges their batteries for the struggles they face at work and in their communities.”
“Trade unions are there to provide support in the bad times of peoples’ lives, so it’s fitting we’re also there for the good times, such as Tolpuddle.”
To book tickets and for more information about the Festival, visit: www.tolpuddlemartyrs.org.uk/festival
