TOLPUDDLE 175 YEARS ON

RMT helpline 0800 3763706 :: september 2009 :: RMTnews 22 T his year’s Tolpuddle Festival marked the 175th anniversary of the events back in 1834 when six farm labourers from the Dorset village were arrested for taking an “illegal oath” and forming a trade union. It also marked 175 years since 100,000 people marched from Copenhagen Fields in North London to parliament in protest at the transportation of the six Tolpuddle Martyrs. The festival was another stunning success culminating in the Sunday march through the village at which the RMT contingent and the RMT brass band made their presence felt in fine style. The RMT presence at Tolpuddle, Durham, Burston and other trade union events continues to go from strength to strength with more members getting involved every year under the slogan: “The Past We Inherit – The Future We Build.” TOLPUDDLE 175 YEARS ON