Volunteers needed for Tolpuddle

The South West TUC is looking for volunteers to help run this year’s Tolpuddle Martyrs’ Festival.

The annual event, supported by unions across the country, this year runs over the weekend of 15-17 July. It celebrates the six Dorset farmworkers transported to Australia in 1834 after forming a trade union to fight back against wage cuts.

The festival makes a welcome return to the trade union calendar this summer, the previous two events having been affected by Covid.

The 2020 event was held online only, and last year’s event was held as a hybrid, with bands and speakers appearing onsite in front of a small crowd and transmitted online.

This year’s line-up is yet to be announced, but will include the usual heady mix of music, poetry, drama and politics.

Previous artists have included singer-songwriter and activist Billy Bragg, The Selecter 2-Tone ska band, The Levellers folk rock group, the country and blues styles of the Alabama 3, and Paul Heaton, former frontman of the Beautiful South and the Housemartins.

Speakers include activists from trade unions and campaigning organisations, both in the UK and overseas. Previous speakers have included Tony Benn and Jeremy Corbyn.

Volunteers are needed for a variety of tasks, ranging from car parking and litter-picking to stewarding the crowds. A spokesperson for the South West TUC said: “There’s lots to do and we need your help!”

You can apply by emailing [email protected] or calling 0117 947 0521.

https://www.tolpuddlemartyrs.org.uk/festival