THOUSANDS of people took part in the Tolpuddle Martyr Festival this weekend with Labour’s Angela Rayner giving the closing speech.

It was a welcome return for the event having not been held in-person since the start of the pandemic.

Trade unionists from across the country got involved and there was plenty of family fun with a wide variety of speakers, music and food stalls.

Nigel Costley, South West Regional Secretary of TUC, said the event returned at a “critical time” for the trade union movement.

He said: “It’s fantastic: we did keep it going online but it’s nothing like being here in person. Lots of us are seeing each other for the first time in three years and, of course, we took some serious precautions around Covid but it is amazing to be back.

“It’s been such a lovely three days, a really positive - friendly - atmosphere, and it seems that everyone has had a great time.

“There has been so many magical moments, some great speeches from Angela Rayner and Frances O’Grady really rallying the cause and bringing everyone together at such a crucial moment for unions.”

“Angela set out a vision for looking after families, ending the reliance on food banks and, of course, doing something about people’s working rights which went down to a big cheer - as you would expect.”

The festival commemorates the history of its namesake, the Tolpuddle Martyrs, when in 1834 six farm workers were sentenced to seven years’ transportation to Australia for forming a union.

Speaking on social media, Angela Rayner said: “Tolpuddle is as much about our future as our past. Such an honour to lay a wreath at the graves of the martyrs today. Their memory lives on in our labour movement.”

Music at the festival marquee included folk punk singer Shannon White, Rhoda Dakar best known as the lead singer of 'The Bodysnatchers, singer songwriter Robb Johnson and Billy Bragg the singer-songwriter and left-wing activist.

Sunday also saw wreaths laid at the grave of James Hammett before the grand procession at 2pm which saw thousands march through the village accompanied by bands.