Tolpuddle Martyrs' Festival
Pictures & comments welcome

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 Rebbeliion 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 contniue 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. (read less)

Tolpuddle Martyrs' Festival
Pictures & comments welcome

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... (read more)