Remembering the Martyrs

Festival goers flocked to the Unite Marquee at this year’s Tolpuddle Martyrs Festival for a packed line up of debates, music, theatre as well as a chance to talk to members of the Unite South West team and pick up the latest resources to help them organise at work.

The Unite Marquee was in full flow from Friday afternoon, with singer songwriter Robb Johnson kicking things off with a passionate set of songs of unity and solidarity, to the close of the festival on Sunday afternoon.

Below are just a few images from another fantastic weekend in the Dorset countryside remembering the Tolpuddle Martyrs and their fight for trade union justice.

Delegates to the Unite Food Drink and Agriculture Sector met at the Shire Hall, where the Tolpuddle Martyrs were tried, before the festival.

In the dock – John Burbidge, Sun Longley and Ivan Monckton after receiving gold badges from the FDA NISC for tireless service to the union.

Amanda Campbell, Landworker Editor, introduces the fantastic Chipping Norton Incident play on Friday afternoon.

The play, written by Tess Fletcher, is a play based on the true story of the Ascott Martyrs – 16 women, teenage girls and 2 babies who were imprisoned in 1873 for the part they played in the founding of the Agricultural Workers Union.

The play was performed twice and was so popular it had to relocate to an even bigger space for the Sunday morning show.

Unite Branch Secrtary Bradley Nutt at his first Tolpuddle

Unite activists, Craig Duerden, Andy Mitchell and Ellen Clifford, from Disabled People Against Cuts (DPAC). The group had specially printed t-shirts available from the Unite Marquee – and soon ran out.

Unite’s Mila Fernandes with Hajera Blagg and Amanda Campbell from the Landworker distribute the always popular limited edition festival t-shirt from the voice of rural workers.

Unite merchandise is always stylish and practical.

The “Delivering on Equalities Issues” debate in the Unite Marquee, featuring (L-R) Torkwase Holmes – Unite SW BAME Committee, (Chair) Lorraine Gibbs – Unite SW Regional Equalities Officer, Martin Jarde-Davis – Unite SW LGBT Committee, Marie Boyle – Unite H&S Rep, Dan Smith – Unite SW Disability Committee and Maggie Roberts – Unite SW Retired Members.

The “Robocrop – Is AI reaping rewards or wreaking chaos?” debate asked if the rising of machines in the food industry was good or bad, with a panel of from across Unite’s FDA sector, (L-R) Steve Leniec – Unite farm worker, Paul Travers – Unite national officer, (Chair) Amanda Campbell – Landworker Editor, Monique Mosley – Unite food worker.

Unite member Ivan Monckton holds up a copy of The Landworker, Britain’s longest running trade union journal and the voice of rural workers since 1919.

It’s a badger! A packed crowd dances to music wrapping up a busy Saturday in the Unite Marquee.

On the Sunday, and before the wreath laying members and officers from across the Unite SW region attended a short ceremony, lead by Richard Andrew, President of the Methodist Conference, to bless the new regional banner.

Unite’s Stef Kasprowski, Steve Leniec and Ron Leech preparing to lay wreaths on the grave of Tolpuddle Martyr James Hammett.

Steve Leniac lays a wreath on behalf Unite’s Food, Drink and Agriculture (FDA) Sector.

Birmingham bin striker and Unite shop steward delivers a powerful speech from the main stage on the Sunday afternoon.

Members of the the Unite Tolpuddle Branch and FDA Sector are joined by Unite South West Regional Secretary Steve Preddy as they gather for the procession.

Birmingham bin strikers John Waldron and Matt Reid join the team from Unite SW.

Musician and Tolpuddle Martyrs Festival regular couldn’t resist getting his photo taken with the striking bin workers and the regional team.

The Stroud Red Band strikes and, in Unite DPAC t-shirts, process through the village.

As is tradional Unite members from agriculture and food head the procession.

Striking Birmingham bin workers join the march.

Colchester’s finest “Pet Needs” get the crowd up on their feet with a emotional set of songs.

There is power in a union – Billy Bragg wraps another fantastic Tolpuddle Martyrs Festival sending the crowds home energised and ready to organise.

By Keith Hatch

Photos by Mark Thomas