THE annual Tolpuddle Martyrs Festival, organised by the TUC, brings together thousands of trade unionists, socialists, and progressive campaigners in a collective celebration and commemoration of a 19th-century injustice against six agricultural workers, which became a fundamental cause for workers’ rights.

The legacy of these workers, known to history as the Tolpuddle Martyrs, acts as an important reminder to all trade unionists that the rights of workers to organise, take collective action, and form a union were not granted willingly and were only won following huge sacrifice, solidarity, and collective campaigning, even against forces that seemed overwhelmingly powerful.

The story of the Tolpuddle Martyrs is, therefore, one of inspiration. Every year we gather to meet, discuss, exchange ideas, and, most importantly of all, to organise.