TOTAL TOLPUDDLE

RMT helpline 0800 376 3706 :: september 2015 :: RMTnews 20 Every July thousands of people attend the Tolpuddle festival to celebrate trade unionism and to remember the sacrifice made by six farm workers from the village. Arrested in 1834, the six Tolpuddle martyrs were sentenced to transportation to Australia simply for organising themselves into a trade union to fight poverty pay. In prison, one of the martyrs George Loveless scribbled the words that form the slogan of the weekend, 'We raise the watchword, liberty. We will, we will, we will be free!' RMT members from across the country attend the annual festivities that include music, film, debates, stalls and many other activities designed for all ages. Many RMT branches bring their banners which were on full view during the march through the village on the Sunday of the proceedings. For the full story of the Tolpuddle martyrs go to www.tolpuddlemartyrs.org.uk/ TOTAL TOLPUDDLE