Solidarity and song at Tolpuddle Festival

Billy Bragg: Power in a union

Tolpuddle, Dorset, 17-19 July

Down in a sleepy corner of Dorset, the otherwise quiet village of Tolpuddle lives with a history that has given it worldwide fame and an annual event that has grown from a trade unionists’ day out to a weekend-long music and activism festival.

The Tolpuddle Martyrs’ Festival, held each July, is organised by the TUC and celebrates the birthplace of modern trade unionism with the arrest of the Tolpuddle Martyrs, back in 1834. This year is special – it’s the 175th anniversary. Theirs is an inspirational story and you can read more about it here and at the museum on-site.

The festival itself is free (you pay for parking in the adjacent field). To camp, there are costs of between £35 and £55 for tents and campers for the whole weekend (less than £20 per person).

All-ages festival

Discussions and workshops centre on the history and future of the left and trade unions, and the music inevitably tends towards the socialist and folky.

Billy Bragg is back as Sunday headliner this year (the main day of the festival), and other entertainments include The Marxist Magician – who produces red flags from thin air and promises to make capitalism disappear, Transglobal Underground and a full programme of local and national bands and performers.

This is a true all-ages festival, but families with children are well catered-for. The Kids’ Area will include the return by popular request of the Storyfella, Clive Pig.

Spot the baby: Tolpuddle mainstage

Crafty and creative goings on from PlayPlus who will help children make Aboriginal paintings, boomerangs as well as face-painting.

Woodcraft Folk are organising a range of activities including parachute games and other cooperative games.

Organisers also promise five-a-side football fun and the chance to join in Cuban carnival drumming and dance sessions.

If you can only make it for one day, come on Sunday, when most of the fun takes place.  But come early – the mainstage is finished by 5.30pm!

Family Festival rating: 8/10

More information
TUC website