- Popular Dorset festival goes online for second year running
- Dynamic programme will include live streamed content direct from the village to re-create ‘Festival vibes’
Earlier this year, organisers of the Tolpuddle Martyrs’ Festival announced the popular event commemorating the story of the Tolpuddle Martyrs would once again go online.
With safety concerns and Covid restrictions still in place this weekend, the Tolpuddle Martyrs’ Festival 2021 will be live streamed and accessible for free once again via:
- The Tolpuddle Martyrs website: tolpuddlemartyrs.org.uk/festival
- Facebook: facebook.com/groups/tolpuddlemartyrs
- Youtube: youtube.com/c/TolpuddleMartyrs1834
The popular three-day event is organised by the South West TUC and is usually attended by thousands of visitors from across the world to mark the legacy of six local farmworkers who were punished and transported to Australia after forming a trade union in 1834.
Building on last year’s successful virtual event, this year’s 2021 Festival will be filmed live from the Tolpuddle village including the wreath-laying and procession in a bid to re-create the vibes of the Festival for viewers.
The closed site will be off-limits to members of the public to ensure the safety of organisers and those involved.
From Friday 16th July – Sunday 18th July, viewers will experience:
- A broad range of debates on topics including:
- Change rarely comes without protest
- All change for food production
- Slavery justice
- Resetting the world of work
- Union priorities for the climate
- Tackling racism
As ever, the Festival will showcase up and coming musicians and established artists such as singer-songwriter Emily Capell, cult music legend Beans on Toast, Bristol-based musician NGAIO, as well as international artists from the United States.
The Sunday event will Key notes speakers from across the union movement including Frances O’Grady, TUC General Secretary and Gail Cartmail, TUC President.
The Festival will also benefit from two rallies and marches as organisers join forces with Stand Up to Racism, and CARICOM to campaign for slavery justice.
Organisers of the Festival say while forced to go online, they have been able to experiment with technology. Viewers will be able to watch more of the event than they ordinarily would in the field.
Nigel Costley, TUC Regional Secretary and organiser of the Festival said:
“Of course, it’s another huge shame we can’t get together. Again.
“But with the ongoing health crisis, it was only right to bring the Festival back online to ensure the safety of everyone involved as well as those who live in the village.
“Having learnt a lot last year by going digital, it means that we are better prepared and more confident to experiment with live-streaming, including showcasing all the well-known sites from the village.
“We are very excited for this year.
“We still have a fantastic line-up of bands and musical acts, including a contingent from our friends in the US, as well as interviews, films and topical debates with speakers from right across the UK and global labour movement.”
On plans for the 2022 event, Nigel Costley adds:
“We truly can’t wait to welcome everyone back for what we hope will be a bigger, bolder party and Festival next year.
“But whilst we keep our fingers crossed, this year will not disappoint. It’s our most dynamic event yet.”
For more information on what’s happening at the Tolpuddle Martyrs’ Festival, visit:www.tolpuddlemartyrs/org.uk/festival
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