Rural Solidarity

Unite South West and The Landworker are back at the Tolpuddle Martyrs Festival this July, and are today, May Day, announcing the initial Unite Marquee line up for another packed weekend in the birthplace of rural trade unionism. 

Kicking off the weekend in the Unite Marquee, often seen as the beating heart of the annual festival, Unite are presenting a performance on Friday evening of the play, To Win the Day. 

Presented by local Dorset group Time and Tide, it intriguingly looks at the familiar Tolpuddle Martyrs’ story from the Tolpuddle women’s viewpoint. Highlights include original local folksongs of the time, sung in acapella style. 

Following on from last year’s drama success on the Ascott Martyrs this promises to be very popular so watch out for more UniteLIVE bulletins! Not to be missed.

Saturday morning will be a chance to pop in and chat to our helpful Unite South West Region team, who will have also come armed with gorgeous giveaways and essential resources for reps and may be able to help answer your questions, before Unite SW Young members take over and run an vital session on the World of Work & Apprenticeships for Young Workers.

Also in attendance on Saturday morning will be the Unite Food, Drink and Agriculture and Landworker teams – again on hand with information and giveaways. 

Of course the now cult-status annual Tolpuddle Unite Landworker T-shirt 2026 will be available – on a strictly limited basis. Once they’ve gone, they’ve gone. These Festival goers’ T-shirts of T-shirts are for many collectors one of the highlights of the weekend. You don’t want to miss out on yours.

Saturday afternoon and the big annual Landworker discussion will be around Rural women – celebrating the fearless heart. A finely curated selection of Unite women speakers will tell tales ancient and modern of how rural women and their union have changed lives – or are changing lives – forever. Come and be inspired.

This year the slope filling Saturday early evening slot will see, dub ranting musician and punk poet, Attila the Stockbroker.

For early birds on Sunday morning, grab a coffee, settle down by the Marquee and enjoy the rousing songs from Dorset’s premier socialist choir, Dorset Red. The choir features a number of Unite activists and will be a wonderful prelude to the day’s inspiring events.

Later on join the Unite bloc at the front of the procession through the village – who will this year be joined by the Stroud Red Band to lead the way.

For those who have not been to Tolpuddle before you are in for a treat, this Unite Live article from last year’s event gives you an idea what to expect.

Keep an eye on UniteLIVE nearer the time for more details.

By Keith Hatch

Photos by Mark Thomas