THE festival celebrating the trade union movement returned this weekend for the first time in two years.
Hundreds of people joined a march through the small village of Tolpuddle to recognise their unions and the workers they represent.
The event ran from Friday until Sunday, commemorating six Dorset farmworkers transported to Australia after forming a union in 1834.
The weekend included 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.
Music throughout the weekend was provided by 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.
Speakers included Employment Minister Justin Madders, TUC General Secretary Paul Nowak, Unite general secretary Sharon Graham, TUC president Matt Wrack and Palestinian ambassador Dr Husam Zomlot.
On Sunday, a crowd gathered in the cemetery in the village as wreaths were laid at the grace of Tolpuddle Martyr James Hammett.
At 2pm, thousands marched through the village in the procession.
Last year the festival was cancelled due to bad weather and it is only the second time the festival has been held this decade due to the pandemic.
Retired teachers Al and Cherry Gabay from Southsea were visiting the festival for the first time.
Cherry said: "We came down here for a holiday and we saw the Tolpuddle Martyrs museum and we heard about the festival.
"We decided it was something we wanted to come and support and have a look at.
"We are already planning to come next year.
Al added: "I used to teach English history so I knew about Tolpuddle but I had never been here before, it is an excellent day."
Mike and Roberta Wakefield travelled from Yeovil to join fellow union members.
They are both members of Unison.
Roberta said: "This is the first time that we have come, I have been getting quite active in the union.
"I had heard of Tolpuddle before and it just felt really important to come and recognise everything that has come before.
"We work hard throughout the year and it is quite nice to all get together and have an enjoyable weekend to let off some steam."
A group of women from WASPI (Women Against State Pension Inequality)
Frances Neil, from WASPI in Essex said: "1950s women weren't given notice about their pension dates changing twice.
"One WASPI woman every 30 minutes dies without justice.
"It is really important that we keep supporting those women, we are asking the government for compensation for those who lost out.
"It is a brilliant day because we get so much support here."
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