TOLPUDDLE FESTIVAL 2008 - ANOTHER GREAT SUCCESS
Another brilliant weekend at Tolpuddle. It is a great credit to Nigel Costley, regional secretary of the South West TUC, that he has turned this event around from being a rather dull bureaucratic affair, into a lively festival that celebrates solidarity and trade unionism, but also provides a great weekend’s entertainment whether you are there with your mates for a few beers and the music, or looking for a more family friendly time with your children.
I spent most of Saturday just hanging out: the activities in the childrens’ area this year were good – particularly the story teller – Clive Pig. The Saturday is a great time for mooching about and bumping into other trade unionists – I was impressed that Unison and FBU activists from Swindon were camping for the weekend this year. And on Sunday the GMB laid on a full coach from Swindon in conjunction with the T&G, and I think Unison may have put on their own coach.
Respect had a stall in the Martyr’s Marquee, staffed by the Dorset Respect branch, and national secretary Nick Wrack had also come down, and did a great job of promoting Respect. I had the children with me so wasn’t able to do much political activity, but I was able to spare an hour on Sunday morning and I was impressed with the good response we got.
Mark Steel gave a barn-storming performance on Saturday night to about a thousand people, which includes very funny but affectionate impersonations of George Galloway and Bob Crow. He even had to deal with six year old hecklers with whistles!
On Sunday supporters of the National Shop Stewards Network leafleted the parade through the village, including some help from my sons. The leaflets got a very warm response. You can look at the leaflet at the South West NSSN website:
What is remarkable is what a small footprint the Labour Party had at the festival. A one minute speech from Dawn Primorolo, and a stall smaller than Respect’s or the Green party’s. There were also fewer Labour Party banners than in previous years. The forthcoming year will be very interesting, as the CWU have given the Labour Party one year to improve or they will ballot the members on disaffiliating, and the GMB have started a process of critical engagement with the party, that includes looking at what value the union gets for its money.
wow looks impreassive - any idea how many were there?
Comment by Leftwing Criminologist — 21 July, 2008 @ 2:02 pm
10000 ish
??
Comment by Andy Newman — 21 July, 2008 @ 2:03 pm
I was talking to my 12 year old son yesterday about the Tolpuddle Martyrs and also about the festival… he says he definitely wants to go next year..Andy’s report gives a flavour of the event and it is interesting that New Labours prescence was so weak. I am pleased RESPECT had a good intervention and look forward to helping RESPECT become an integral feature of this important commemoration next year.
I go down the shed now and check that the tent is still ok!
Comment by mark anthony france — 21 July, 2008 @ 2:17 pm
It was a really great event….yes and organised by bureacrats ???!! (and the workers Beer Company)
The event is great simply because it is non sectarian and political groupings seem to respect that, which they do not at other events
this really is a trade union event for families and long may it remain so
the big battle was for freebies amongst the children and each union trying to out do each other with turnout, banner and bands
and of course if you wanted politics enough debates going on to meet you every need
well done to Nigel at the SW TUC
I thought about 5,000 on the march ?
long may it remain trade union event aimed at families
Comment by James — 21 July, 2008 @ 3:26 pm
I thought it interesting that Mark Steel poked fun at nearly all political groupings (including a good 10 mins on Labour government)yet the SWP took offence when he took the P*** out of them for 2 minute. Some people need to lighten up!
Comment by Tim — 21 July, 2008 @ 3:30 pm
Yes James, I would say about 5000 on the march, and 10000 + for the whole event.
Comment by Andy Newman — 21 July, 2008 @ 3:38 pm
yet the SWP took offence when he took the P*** out of them for 2 minute
Some mistake here surely, as Andy says that Mark was heckled by six-year-olds with whistles. (Or were they juvenile dwarves?)
Comment by Phil — 21 July, 2008 @ 4:33 pm
When speaking to an SWP member on the Sunday he said he would rather have listened to the whistles than what mark had to say, so there was a bit of a humour failure.
It was good to see Tony Staunton there, looking very much his old good self, it seems he has joined T&G Unite now.
Comment by Andy Newman — 21 July, 2008 @ 4:40 pm
Looks interesting, I may very well try to make it down next year.
Comment by Joseph Kisolo — 21 July, 2008 @ 6:17 pm
The only time I went it was really good. 10 000 is very impressive. Looked like a good weekend.
Comment by Jason — 21 July, 2008 @ 6:29 pm
Interesting to see so many Dorset flags )also known as ‘St Wite’s Cross’) on the march this year
yes agree 5,000 on the march and 10,000 at rally and this is almost spot on in my view
as stated elesewhere good to see comrades of all groupings showing a bit of respect and not forcing their political dogma down everyones throats, mind you class war may have had something to say had they tried
great to see the pride in each union delegation marching behind their union banners
Comment by Sally — 21 July, 2008 @ 6:50 pm
More pix here.
As usual free to leftie bloggers, indymedia etc. If any TUs or other organisations would like to use them please contact me first.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/bolshie/
This was my 1st time, must say it was very comradely and enjoyable, much more than I expected it to be.
Comment by paddy garcia — 21 July, 2008 @ 7:15 pm
Hi Paddy,
Good pix. Liked the ones where people are dancing..show a real energy and vitality.
Oh….and did I spot Prentis and Benn marching together?
Comment by Louise — 21 July, 2008 @ 8:05 pm
Thanks Louise.
Yes that was fun, can’t remember the name of the band they were dancing to though.
Prentis and Benn were indeed marching together, such was the nature of the event that people seemed to forget their differences for the weekend.
Trots, tankies, greens, anarchists, all were there getting on with one another!
Comment by paddy garcia — 21 July, 2008 @ 8:09 pm
anyone recall the band (I think from Weymouth) who did an updated political version of “blowing in the wind” it was really great
Comment by Sally — 21 July, 2008 @ 11:43 pm
Excellant photos, Paddy.
You can’t beat flags with a bit of a breeze
Comment by Richard Searle — 22 July, 2008 @ 12:08 am
On Mark Steel’s taking the p*ss out the SWP - I heard him at a recent event and if it was the same jokes about their recruitment drive it was hilarious and spoke volumes. Was it the bit about the branch of seven being told they had 119 members? As Tim says, he spends rather more time on Gordon Brown and co.
On the history of the event: I was always under the impression that all six were pardoned, though one had died before reprieve. A black sister informs me that there was a black martyr who wasn’t reprieved. Is this true?
Comment by Stuart G — 22 July, 2008 @ 4:13 am
Stuart.
All the martyrs were white men!
They were all reprieved, but one did not return to Britain with all the others becasue he was serving a prison sentance in Australia for fighting.
Although they were reprieved they were still away from home for four years, during which time the Dorset magistrates denied their families poor relief, and they were supported by funds collected from trade unionsts.
After returning, five of the six settled in essex where they had land bought for them by supporters, but they were persecuted by magistarates and all emigrated to Ontario. All except Robert hammet who returned to Tolpuddle where he lived until he died.
Comment by Andy Newman — 22 July, 2008 @ 9:01 am
You’ve just confirmed the correctness of my choice not to go. How nice that Lord Prentis turned up to advertise his phoney Leftism now we’re putting the squeeze on him to stop arselicking to Brown and handing over vast wads of our cash to the NL scum. I’m quite prepared to socialise with other (genuine) Leftists but I draw the line at tossers like Prentis, presently orchestrating witch hunts against UNISON members who don’t buy in to his shabby compromises. Lets have trade union leaders in possession of a spine speaking at future Tolpuddles.
Comment by Doug — 22 July, 2008 @ 1:04 pm
Doug
were all rather pleased you didnt come either
the whole point is Tolpuddle is about trade unionism not one brand of hectoring socialism “NL Scum” ummmmm
If youve got strong view and want to inflict them on others
simply dont come to Tolpuddle
Comment by Tina — 22 July, 2008 @ 3:38 pm
I think you will find that Prentis was there because he is President of the TUC and by the way was elected by the overwhelming majority of members who vote on two occassions
whats your mandate 4.2%
Comment by Tony — 22 July, 2008 @ 3:41 pm
I hate New labour, but they have ever right to be at tolpuddle as any other grouping..Thats the whole point idiot …trade unions are not socialist organisations…they should represent society…yes including Tories!
Comment by Simon — 22 July, 2008 @ 3:43 pm
Tina
If considering New Labour to be scum is ‘hectoring socialism’ then I’m proud to be a hectoring socialist. And if Tolpuddle is just about trade unionism it’s interesting which leading trade unionists have been invited to speak down the years and who haven’t. And in what trades union capacity was Dawn Primarolo speaking?
Tony
I don’t know what you mean by what’s my mandate - 4.2%? My comments seemed to have touched a nerve and if you don’t have a problem with Prentis then your clearly clueless. Then again having been in the SWP for yonks and now cheerleading for Galloway that’s a given.
Comment by Doug — 22 July, 2008 @ 4:00 pm
Hi, the band you are asking about may have bee the Quangle Wrangles, but the who;e programme is still on the South West TUC page
Gilda
Comment by Gilda Costley — 22 July, 2008 @ 4:44 pm
I posted my flickr link on indymedia only to have it removed by their unaccountable moderators for allegedly contravening the following guidelines:
“# Hierarchy: The newswire is designed to generate a news resource, not a notice-board for political parties or any other hierarchically structured organizations.”
Really shows that these over privileged middle class lifestyle “anarchists” types really have nothing but contempt for the working class.
Comment by paddy garcia — 22 July, 2008 @ 5:31 pm
Sally, the band you mentioned were Who’s Afear’d.
Comment by Mikey — 22 July, 2008 @ 7:02 pm
Wait up, moderators moaning about ” . . . hierarchically structured organizations.”?
It must just be me. Too much sun.
Comment by Darren — 22 July, 2008 @ 7:35 pm
#25
Paddy, what an utterly surreal reason from Indymedia. What is a “hierarchally structured organisation” and how does that fit in with Tolpuddle..? How strange.
Are you going to complain, Paddy?
Comment by Louise — 22 July, 2008 @ 7:49 pm
They mean the TU and labour movement, they don’t seem to be able to distinguish between rank and file members and the beareaucrats. Just shows their ignorance of working class movements.
Comment by paddy garcia — 22 July, 2008 @ 10:00 pm
They seem to have relented after my emails!
http://www.indymedia.org.uk/en/2008/07/404392.html
But they put up their own post using my pix from flickr
and write up from wikipedia, no link to the rest of the photos.
Comment by paddy garcia — 22 July, 2008 @ 10:04 pm
Yes thanks for the guide
the band who stole the show for me was
Who’s Afear’d.
and
a song
The answer is down on Weymouth Quay
Comment by Sally — 22 July, 2008 @ 11:53 pm
Billy Bragg taking a well earned sabbatical?? Well Paid more like!
http://www.bbc.co.uk/dorset/content/image_galleries/camp_bestival_onstage_gallery.shtml?4
Comment by Mikey — 23 July, 2008 @ 11:33 am
A really good Festival. I haven’t been for many years and have been a bit disillusioned over the past decade or so, while everyone I knew was buying in - literally - to the home-owning, career-climbing consensus. Things seem different now with non-political friends losing their jobs and homes. The Festival was one of those events I missed from the past: effectively the entertainment was free with camping at £35 for 2 nights for two of us; a mix of terrific bands, poets, speeches etc; violence & hassle free; good debates; a mix of ages and politics - though no Tories. I also wanted somewhere I could recommend non-political but similarly alienated friends to get to for fun and a bit of non-obvious education. Where else could you get Tony Benn followed by the Levellers? I agree with the person that said that a highlight was the Weymouth trio… check out the clips on Youtube. If it carries on this way, it’s going to get bigger. It would be great to see comrades from round the country there in 2009!
Comment by Doc — 23 July, 2008 @ 1:54 pm
Thanks for all the comments about us, they’re very much appreciated. Dunno if anyone saw the shambolic show on the Thursday night, equipment got a bit tetchy!
What a cracking weekend it was, loads of friendly people, lots of interesting -and occasionally heated- discussions and the march was fantastic.
For the record, we’re from all over Dorset, but we do like a bit of Weymouth!
Cheers
Who’s Afear’d
Comment by Who's Afear'd — 23 July, 2008 @ 4:53 pm
Yes I also saw Who’s Afear’d really great band
a few clicks on the net and I discovered Who’s Afear’d is the Dorset county motto
they also have some music clips on their My Space site
enjoyed A35 (especially the bit about Berre Regis)
unfortunately the version of down on weymouth quay is not up yet….lets hope so
Well done lads
Great set
hope your at Tolpuddle next year
Comment by Steve — 23 July, 2008 @ 5:15 pm
Who’s Afear’d
now on you tube
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8TGjR5OC8qY&feature=related
Brill
Comment by Tellyman — 23 July, 2008 @ 8:02 pm
Who’s Afeard GREAT !!!!!
Tolpuddle 2009 a must
Comment by Steve — 24 July, 2008 @ 9:27 pm
Plans afoot for local festival celebrating workers rights!
It was 1834 and 100,000 people gathered in what was Copenhagen Fields and is now just north of King’s Cross to demand freedom for the Tolpuddle Martyrs; it is now 175 years later and residents in King’s Cross together with trades unions from all over the country are preparing to commemorate that momentous day with a march on 25 April from the Caledonian Park to Edward Square where an acoustic music festival and lots of activities will end a week of events.
The credit crunch is hitting us all hard in 2009, but back in 1834 things were very much tougher for ordinary working people. Average family outgoings for the basics was 13 shillings and ninepence; six farm labourers from the Dorset Village of Tolpuddle soon to become ‘martyrs’, decided that local pay of 9 shillings a week was tantamount to starvation wages. So George Loveless together with his brother James and brother-in-law Thomas Stanfield, Thomas’s son John, James Hammett and James Brine decided to set up a trade union to fight for better wages from the rich landowners including James Frampton. Frampton complained to the Prime Minister who agreed that development of unions must be stopped. The six were framed on charges of ‘swearing an oath’ under laws created to stop seditious meetings and assemblies and in March were sentenced to seven years transportation to the penal colonies of Australia where they could reasonably be expected to starve or die.
But… on April 21, 1834 a month after the Trial a mass procession of 35 unions, organised in Copenhagen Fields by the Metropolitan Trades Unions, marched to Whitehall to present a massive 200,000 signature petition which the Prime Minister refused to accept. Protests continued and after some years the Martyrs returned to England. They are now world famous as six heroes who stood up for our rights.
In King’s Cross a street has been named after the Martyrs and a mural on Copenhagen Street celebrates the original march. Right next to the mural isEdward Square, founded by another local hero, Lisa Pontecorvo who sadly died last year. Lisa’s image has been added to the mural and she would have been the first to welcome this years’ festivities.
More: http://tolpuddlekx.wordpress.com/
Comment by Tolpuddle in London — 14 January, 2009 @ 9:15 pm
Comment 18 - it wasn’t Robert Hammett who returned to Tolpuddle, but James Hammett - my cousin.
Comment by Sally McMahon — 4 July, 2009 @ 6:07 pm