TOLPUDDLE REMEMBERS ITS OWN

RMT helpline 0800 376 3706 :: sept 2014 :: RMTnews 26 This year’s Tolpuddle Festival gathered against a backdrop of new Tory proposals to tighten the anti-union laws around the necks of the working class, reminding the thousands heading for the Dorset village that the battle started by the brave group of farm labourers 180 years ago for workers’ rights is far from over. But the other backdrop to the event was the loss earlier in the year of two Tolpuddle stalwarts – Bob Crow and Tony Benn. Images of Bob and Tony were everywhere – including right in the middle of the main stage – and speakers and performers alike paid inspirational tributes throughout the course of the weekend. At the culmination of the march and rally on the Sunday a roar was sent out across the Dorset countryside in memory of the two Labour-movement legends as the call went up to continue their work. TUC general secretary Frances O’Grady spoke of the “two brave men who had Topluddle in their veins” and how both Bob and Tony shared a belief that “by being united we can achieve far, far more than we can achieve alone.” The RMT turn out at the event was once again large, noisy and militant, led on the march by Bob’s family and our own brass band and resplendent in “Keep the Guards” t-shirts. Organisers said that it was the biggest turn out for Tolpuddle in 30 years as the sun shone and the chance was grabbed to recharge the batteries, remember our fallen comrades and top-up the activism. TOLPUDDLE REMEMBERS ITS OWN