In a month’s time the Tolpuddle Martyrs Festival begins in the village of Tolpuddle, near Dorchester, Dorset. The festival commemorates the Tolpuddle Martyrs, a group of agricultural labourers arrested and transported to Australia in 1834 for forming a trade union. This year’s festival takes place between Friday 15th – Sunday 17th July and will include the usual assortment of live music, talks, workshops, family events and rallies.

There have been a number of events held in Tolpuddle to commemorate the Martyrs since the late 19th century, but a regular festival has taken place ever since the TUC organised a large-scale celebration to mark the centenary in 1934.

“All to Dorchester”, TUC leaflet advertising the 1934 centenary celebrations at Tolpuddle.

The TUC Library contains an extensive collection of material on the Tolpuddle Martyrs and the history of the festival. To find out more, get in touch.