Tolpuddle Martyrs Festival and Rally 2016

In 1834, farms workers formed a trade union, and their story is now part of the development of a free and democratic society. It is celebrated in the small museum in Tolpuddle and at the festival on the weekend of the third Sunday in July with the climax being a march through the village. Organised by the TUC, this festival takes place in the village of Tolpuddle, Dorset and takes place from Friday 15th to Sunday 17th July 2016.

The event offers seminars, and talks during the day, and some smaller music spaces, with the main music happening in the afternoons/evenings. On the Sunday there is a large processional march from the festival site to the nearby village of Tolpuddle, followed by a few major music acts and speeches.

Line-up

Friday: Comrade X, The Wimmins Institute, Dream Nails, Imprints, Rob Heron & Tea Pad Orchestra
Plus Tolpuddle Radical Cinema, and The Battle for the Ballot – Singer-songwriter Quiet Loner uses images from the People's History Museum to tell the story of how the vote was won. In the Fringe Tent there's a meeting on trade union freedom.

Saturday: The Skimmity Hitchers, Steve White and Tolpuddle Unplugged, Joe Solo, Elvis McGonagall, Jess Green And The Mischief Thieves, Kate Smurthwaite, and Tom Robinson Band.
Plus Open Mic with Big John Reed, Talking in Tents: South West Youth Parlament, Green Jobs and Skills, Phil Pearson, chair; Barbara Bryd Oregon AFL-CIO; Graham Patersen UCU; Clive Lewis MP Shadow Energy Minister, Molly Scott-Cato South West Green MEP Cuba Now with the Miami Five, Industry, steel and jobs, After the EU vote, Women and girls in education, Health staff under pressure, Trade Union Act, where now for unions?, Working on agriculture, stall holders are invited to have their say by Tim Lezard, the UNIZONE - under the trees, Young public workers, Unite Marquee, Sportsdirect.

Sunday: Robb Johnson, Two Man Ting, Janine Booth, Them Voices, Poor, John D Revelator, Doozer McDooze, Jon Langford and the Men of Gwent, Lisa Knapp, Ferocious Dog, and Dreadzone.
Plus speakers including: Liz Snape , Len McCkluskey, Miami Five, Thangham Debonairre MP, David Wrighton, Nigel Costley, France O'Grady, Jeremy Corbyn Coffee, cakes, salad lunches and cream teas, procession, wreath laying at the grave of James Hammett, and Methodist Chapel Festival Service. Good byes.

Expect a weekend of speakers and debates. In and around the Martyrs Marque at the festival there will be stalls selling ideas as alike.

The Sunday welcomes lots more people who come for the day and the grand procession of banners through the village. Wreaths are laid on the grave of Martyr' James Hammett.

Tickets

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Weekend Festival pass: £35 per adult
Children under five: Free
Children 5-15: £5
Camping tag: £18 per tent - ADVANCED BOOKING STRONGLY ADVISED
Camper van tag: £35 - ADVANCED BOOKING STRONGLY ADVISED
Gazebo tag: £18 - No large event shelters or similar
Friday festival pass: £12 per adult
Saturday festival pass: £25 per adult
Parking: £5 for weekend pass holders.

The traditional Sunday Rally Day is open to all and free - apart from the parking fee of £10 a vehicle. Please respect the Festival and the local community by using the car parks.

The area for camping is restricted and will fill to capacity. Please book early to avoid disappointment.

Camping

No caravans. If you are planning to camp with friends, travel together, as spaces are allocated on arrival. Hot showers and breakfasts are available. No cars on the campsite. Each tent or gazebo needs a tag.

Kids stuff

There's plenty of stuff for young comrades to enjoy. The Woodcraft folk will provide activites, there's also workshops, circus skills, fun games and activities, and there's usually five a side football. 

Car parking

Car parking in the TUC or church car park is priced at around £10 per vehicle on Sunday. Coaches free, drop off and park to the east of the village.

Coaches

The TUC organise coaches to this event, drop off and park to the east of the village.

Shuttle

Tolpuddle shuttle from Dorchester South Station on Friday 7.45pm and Sunday 11.35am returning from Tolpuddle 5.20pm and 6.30pm is priced at £3 each way.

More information will be here when available.

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