A popular festival celebrating trade unionism is set to return this weekend.

The Tolpuddle Martyrs’ Festival will run from Friday, July 19 to Sunday, July 21 in the Dorset village of Tolpuddle.

The weekend will include topical discussions and lectures from a wide variety of speakers, a networking space, a children’s area, open mic and DJ sessions and hands-on workshops.

There will also be music from Zimbabwe street beat band Gonora Sounds, Wirral punk-pop She Drew The Gun, nu-metal ravers No Good Boyo, genre-bending Alt Bik Era and Welsh-Nigerian R&B artist Kima Otung.

The large rally and march is on Sunday and is free to attend but there is a £15 charge for parking.

Last year’s festival had to be cancelled due to extreme weather conditions .

Organisers, Trades Union Congress (TUC) South West, have shared their excitement for the festival’s return.

Read more: Tolpuddle Martyrs’ Festival 2023 cancelled due to weather

This year, however, the Met forecast is for sunny weather, with highs of 23c on Saturday.

The family-friendly event commemorates the struggle of the six farmworkers from the village who in 1834 were sentenced to seven years' transportation to a penal colony in Australia for organising a union to fight back against poor pay.

The campaign to free them led to the foundation of modern-day trade unionism.

There has been an annual gathering to mark the story of the Tolpuddle Martyrs since the 1930s, which has since turned into a weekend festival. 

Ines Lage, TUC regional secretary, said: “We are grateful for the support and solidarity shown to our festival over the past year, building on a proud tradition and legacy.

“It is exciting to be able to share that despite the challenges thrown at us, your support has made it possible for us to bring back our beloved festival in 2024.”

Festival organisers have also announced the new installation of a video link to allow international guest speakers to address the audience.

There will also be a solidarity tent, a more relaxed space for networking and collaboration, and an international tent showcasing campaigns and struggles from around the world.

The return of this festival aims to provide a welcome space for topical debates and supportive conversations, during a time when many are facing job and financial pressures.

More information about the event can be found on the Toldpuddle Martyrs' Festival website: www.tolpuddlemartyrs.org.uk/festival