Tolpuddle Martyrs' Festival 2008 - Sunday, 20th July
On February 24th, 1834, six farm labourers from the Dorset village of Tolpuddle were arrested on a charge of taking part in an 'illegal oath' ceremony. In the eyes of their masters, however, the real offence was that they had dared to form a trade union to defend their livelihood. For this they were sentenced to seven years' transportation to the penal colonies of Australia. The sentences provoked an immense outcry, leading to the first great mass trade union protest.
The campaign won free pardons and the Martyrs' return to England. A historic episode in the struggle for trade unionists' rights in Great Britain. Each year trade unionists from all over Britain and the world come to the tiny Dorset village of Tolpuddle to celebrate
We shall never forget what we owe them.
RMT Dorset Rail branch proudly unveiled their new banner at this year's Tolpuddle Martyr's Festival and led the RMT contingent on the parade of banners through Tolpuddle village. Dorset Rail RMT branch secretary, Pete Brown (left) supported by another comrade leads our contingent above.
Another new RMT branch banner this year is Portsmouth No. 1 RMT General Grades branch, which unites railworkers and seafarers in the Portsmouth area. The branch have paired the RMT union motto 'Unity is Strength' in a scroll with a central roundel adapting the old badge of the National Union of Railwaymen (NUR) 'Workers of the world, Unite!' The banner depicts a train, a ship and a lighthouse - the old symbol of the National Union of Seamen (motto 'Pull Together'). Branch secretary, Richard Howard (left) and branch chair, Mick Tosh (right) are carrying the banner here, while RMT Regional Organiser, Phil Bialyk watches them sweat.
The Bristol Rail RMT branch banner makes another return to Tolpuddle carried by branch member Nigel and assisted by RMT Regional Organiser, Brendan Kelly (Phil, please take note).
RMT Gloucester branch flag carried by Carolyn Parry and Gloucester RMT branch secretary, Tim Wilkinson.
The banner of RMT's South Wales & West of England Regional Council - motto 'Unity is Strength' - Mewn Undeb Mae Nerth' carried by John Kear (left) and Chris Davidson (right).
The people who started it.
Each year commemorative wreaths are laid on James Hammett's grave in Tolpuddle churchyard. Here 'Red Notes', Bristol's Socialist choir follow the laying of the wreaths with the song of the Tolpuddle Man:
Farewell to my family, it's now I must leave you
That far-fabled shore in chains we shall see.
Although we are taken,
Do not be mistaken
As brothers in union, we shall be free.
They can bring down our wages and starve all our children.
In chains they can bind us and steal all our land.
They can mock our religion,
From our families divide us;
But they can't break the oath of a Tolpuddle man.
To those who rule us we are the dissenters;
"Do your duty, be grateful, don't complain!" we are taught.
For God, in His wisdom,
Has divided this kingdom
For few to have much, while so many have naught.
As brothers and sisters with an oath we will bind us;
The labouring poor in all England shall rise.
Thought Frampton has framed us,
They never will tame us.
Arise men and women; we'll yet win the prize.
In a day of great music the RMT-sponsored Nottingley Colliery brass band from Easington in Wearside were the undoubted highlight. Here they are warming up before the march in front of RMT's Brighton and Hove City branch banner.
And again!
The band in formation.
(left to right): Bob Crow, Dave Prentis, Tony Benn and Brendan Barber.
As the sun rose on February 24 1834, Dorset farm labourer, George Loveless set off to work, saying goodbye to his wife Betsy and their three children. They were not to meet alone again for three years, for as he left his cottage in the rural village of Tolpuddle, the 37-year-old was served with a warrant for his arrest.
Loveless and five fellow workers – his brother James, James Hammett, James Brine, Thomas Standfield and Thomas's son John – were charged with having taken an illegal oath. But their real crime in the eyes of the establishment was to have formed a trade union to protest about their meagre pay of six shillings a week – the equivalent of 30p in today's money and the third wage cut in as many years.
With the bloody French Revolution and the wrecking of the Swing Rebellion just a few years before still in the minds of the British establishment, landowners were determined to stamp out any form of organisation. So when the local Squire and landowner, James Frampton, caught wind of a group of his workers forming a union, he sought to stamp it out.
Workers would meet under the sycamore tree in the village or in the upper room of Thomas Standfield's cottage. Members swore of an oath of secrecy – and it was this act that led to the men's arrest and subsequent sentence of seven years' transportation. By handing out such a harsh sentence, the government hoped to stem the growth of the fledgling Labour movement.
As the men were being led back to prison, George Loveless scribbled some words: “We raise the watchword, liberty. We will, we will, we will be free!" The rallying call underlined the Martyrs’ determination and has inspired generations of people to fight against injustice and oppression.
Transportation to Australia was brutal. Few ever returned for such a sentence as the harsh voyage and slavery took their toll.
The working class rose up in support of the Martyrs. A massive demonstration marched through London and a 800,000-strong petition delivered to Parliament protesting about their sentence. After three years, during which the trade union movement sustained the Martyrs' families by collecting voluntary donations, the government relented and the men returned home with free pardons and as heroes.
It was still to be many years before farm workers secured a lasting trade union and even longer for voting reform but as in the words of Goerge Loveless, the Tolpuddle Martyrs helped “raise the watchword liberty”.
Every year the story is remembered at the Tolpuddle Festival, held in the village where it all began. The event attracts thousands of people who enjoy the mixture of politics, theatre and music. There is also a procession of colourful trade union banners through the village.
The struggle and sacrifices made by the Tolpuddle farm workers are being repeated today around the world as people fight against injustice and inequality. In Britain trade unions continue to organise and defend the interest of working people in the face of powerful employers, privatisation and job cuts.
The story of the Tolpuddle Martyrs and the campaign that freed them inspires us to fight on. The annual festival reflects the spirit of those prepared to stand up and be counted and for those just learning about the history it is a joyful celebration of our solidarity.
Tolpuddle 2008 Festival Tickets Weekend camping tickets are available for purchase. Entrance to the festival is free.
Join the Tolpuddle Martyrs Festival group on Facebook!
Sunday 20 July - Main Stage Provisional Programme
11.00 Graham Moore
Tolpuddle Man singer songwriter plays host for the day.
Seize the Day
It all started back during the road protest days of the late nineties. They’ve been protesting, campaigning and playing to audiences big and small ever since. Their songs will make you laugh, cry, or stand up and get active in changing the world for the better www.seizetheday.org
11:45 Grupo Lokito
Fusing Salsa and Congolese Rumba in an exuberant explosion of sound.
12.30 Speakers
Chair of the South West TUC welcomes
Dave Prentis TUC President and UNISON General Secretary
Elaine Bernard Harvard Trade Union Centre, USA
Dot Gibson National Pensioners Convention marks the centenary of the first state pension
President of the National Union of Students
1.00 Devon Sproule
Born on a commune in Canada this young singer songwriter is winning rave reviews. “Perhaps the sweetest and most honest folk-pop this year.” Rolling Stone. www.devonsproule.com
1.05
While the music continues on the main stage, the guest speakers will walk over to St John’s church to lay wreaths on the grave of Martyr James Hammett.
2.00 Procession of the trade union banners
led by Musicians’ Union Great Western Jazz Band
3.00 Speakers
Hashemiya Muhsin Hussein President, Electricity & Energy Union, General Federation of Iraqi Workers
Brendan Barber TUC General Secretary
Kate Allen Amnesty International
Tony Benn
3.30 Alabama 3
- acoustic and unplugged
Acoustic stripped down versions of Alabama 3’s songs with Larry Love, Devlin Love, Rock Freebase and Harpo Strangelove. - “truly the perfect choice for a night of bourbon, barbeque, and fun.”
4.15 - to be confirmed
5.30 Robb Johnson & The Irregulars
- Finish on a high note with the end of festival party and Robb Johnson in the Martyrs’ Marquee.
This year’s festival closes with one of the finest songwriters in the UK and his band. Their recent album, All That Way For This has been winning rave reviews. www.robbjohnson.co.uk