A new grassroots festival combining live music, family entertainment and political discussion is set to take place on the Cornwall coast this June.
Unite on the Hill, a two-day community-focused event organised by Unite branch SW008, will be held from 19 to 21 June at Maker Heights, Cawsands (PL10 1LA). Set against the stunning backdrop of the South West coastline, the festival aims to blend the atmosphere of a summer music gathering with a strong emphasis on worker organising and social justice.
Festivalgoers can expect a packed programme across the weekend, including live bands, DJs, local food stalls and real ale, alongside a wide range of activities designed for all ages. Families will be catered for with children’s games, theatre performances and outdoor entertainment, while visitors will also be able to enjoy scenic coastal walks around the historic Maker Heights site.
However, organisers say Unite on the Hill is about far more than music and leisure. The venue’s Gunshed will host a series of talks and discussions focusing on some of the key issues facing communities across Devon and Cornwall. Topics will include workplace organising, child poverty, the case for public ownership of South West Water, and the growing power of big tech monopolies.
The event has been created by Unite SW008, a branch that represents workers in small and often isolated workplaces across the region. Organisers believe the festival will provide an important opportunity for members to connect, share experiences and build confidence in collective action.
John Whitcher, Chair of Unite SW008, said:
“Our members are often isolated — both geographically and because they work in workplaces too small to have their own branch. This event is about bringing people together — replacing despair with hope, and showing what’s possible when we unite.”
The festival builds on a growing tradition of grassroots organising events in the South West. It follows the success of Kernow Transformed in 2022 and Devon Transformed in 2023, both of which helped bring together campaigners, trade unionists and local communities.
Organisers hope Unite on the Hill will continue that momentum, helping to establish Devon and Cornwall as a centre for community-led culture, political engagement and working-class solidarity.
TICKETS
🎟️ Free tickets for Unite members & their families (first come, first served):
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/unite-on-the-hill-tickets-1985840663883
🎟️ Guest tickets (for non-members):
https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/unite-on-the-hill-guest-tickets-tickets-1987011149838
In addition to the festival programme, organisers say the event aims to create a welcoming, family-friendly space where people can relax, connect, and engage with the issues affecting their communities.
“This is about building something lasting,” Whitcher added. “Bringing people together now so we can organise more effectively in the future.”
