Tolpuddle Festival

Program announcement

Free colour leaflets giving full details of the festival are now available for display and/or distribution from TUC Publications, Congress House, Great Russell Street, London WC1B 3LS Please state quantity required and full postal address for delivery.

Set in the heart of the beautiful West Dorset countryside is the historic village of Tolpuddle. Every summer, thousands of people come from all over the world to commemorate the six Tolpuddle farm labourers who were transported to Australia in 1834 after forming a trade union. Centred around the museum which tells their story, the weekend combines celebration with tradition, offering a full programme of traditional and contemporary music and drama with other attractions, including the famous parade of banners, topical debates and dicussion, stalls, a childrens fun area, refreshment and beer tents. Rally day on Sunday will feature a rare UK performance by Australian folk legend Eric Bogle, as well as Nick Harper, Susan Hedges and Billy Bragg amongst others. Speakers confirmed so far include Tony Benn, Paul Boateng MP, Brendan Barber and Nigel de Gruchy. Saturday's highlights include Tony Benn & Roy Bailey, who will be presenting Writing on the Wall, their anthology of dissent in words and music, and Regg ae R.

Steve Mills
TUC Publications
020 7467 1294
smills@tuc.org.uk