ANOTHER great weekend at Tolpuddle, where we commemorated the six agricultural workers who suffered so much just because they were trying to form a union to fight for better wages, better conditions and a better life for all.  

My weekend started with a walk through the village of Tolpuddle. My imagination ran wild — a small village, but it must have been so alive with supporters of the martyrs in the street as those brave men were taken from their families, as word went out about the arrest of these men, and when the judgement was heard, the six were to be deported.  

As the day went on, more and more people arrived, many had travelled great distances, others quite local, but all here for the same reason — to remind workers of past struggles and hopefully encourage them to fight for their rights, which are being taken away day by day by the current Labour government.  

The marquees were up, there was a buzz in the air as folk arranged their banners close to the main stage, there was a real feeling of camaraderie, of solidarity.  

Musicians struck a chord on the open-mic platform, and people gathered and sang along to the music. Music was once again a medium that brought people together; it played a big part in the weekend, with some great musicians, including our own Jess Silk, who took to the stage.  

The debates play a huge part in the Tolpuddle festival, the fringe marquee was packed to hear speakers like Angela Duerdon from Unite. Duerdon’s a Durham lass, a great trade unionist. She spoke in the session about Building a Worker-Led Future.

In her words, “a better future isn’t going to come from the government, it isn’t going to come from the bosses. It has to come from the workers because we all know it’s us that keep society going, it’s the working class.” She summed up by saying: “In a worker-led future, unions need to prioritise, organise and strengthen worker participation. We must mobilise and fight for a better future for all.”  

John and I wandered the field, stopping for a chat with comrades, the talk was of Palestine, of our government making peaceful protesters into terrorists. The Palestinian flags flew in what must have been hundreds. I couldn’t help but raise a smile as we passed two policemen; they weren’t arresting anyone here — they walked as if to try to be invisible, and I think to most folk, they were invisible.  

Back to the fringe marquee, the topic this time was Palestine, the sadness and despair were evident here, but there was also hope because people really were up for continuing the fight to ensure one day, hopefully soon, Palestine would be free.  

It was good to hear from another strong woman, a fighter and a great orator. Fran Heathcote, general secretary of PCS. Heathcote spoke of her pride at having been one of the 22 general secretaries from across Britain who issued a statement calling for the Met police to drop all charges against all four of our comrades.

She said: “Whatever troubles we face in Britain are trivial compared to those faced by the Palestinian people, over 60,000 of whom have been murdered in the last 20 months.” Heathcote ended by saying: “We must continue to stand up for Palestine and for the release of all hostages, Palestinian and Israeli.” This is when I cried as the room went up to the shouts of “Free, free Palestine.”

Up from our seats and buzzing with renewed energy, we wandered again to meet comrades old and new, and the atmosphere was now palpable. The banter was great, and the planning for the future filled the air.  

We decided to visit the many stalls, including the Cuban Solidarity campaign — John got a new T-shirt and I joined the campaign. My thirst for knowledge needed to be addressed. On to Nicaragua, where again I learnt so much. I also told the group about our National Women’s Action for Positive Change project, which is the making of an International quilt. So many countries are joining in on this project, and hopefully, I’ve now recruited Nicaragua.  

Last but by no means least, we bumped into Sarah Woolley, the first ever woman to lead the BFAWU. Woolley spoke at one of the fringes; she’s very involved in the Birmingham refuse workers’ strike. Now, you would be forgiven for saying why would BFAWU be involved in the refuse workers’ dispute.

Well, Woolley said, “If you come for one of us, you take on all of us.” The refuse workers have been on strike for 19 weeks because Birmingham council wants them to take a pay cut. Woolley said: “The trade union movement is stepping up in support of the bin workers.”

She told us of the mega picket that’s on Friday July 25, the biggest picket in 50 years. She said: “It’s our chance to show what real solidarity looks like, their fight is our fight, and it’s time we make that unmistakably clear.”  

Sunday morning, shattered but undaunted, the march is 2pm, will the weather hold? It did, we marched in glorious sunshine.  

The main stage speakers were excellent, and the whole weekend helped lift my spirits.  

The six martyrs of Tolpuddle live on in our hearts, in our minds and in our actions.