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Tolpuddle goes virtual
All the fun of the festival can be enjoyed via your computer screen this year, says PETER FROST
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NEARLY two centuries ago in the 1830s, six farm workers in west Dorset formed a trade union. That single invention would go all the way round the world.
In 1989 a British scientist, Tim Berners-Lee, invented the world wide web.
Originally conceived and developed to meet the demand for automated information-sharing between scientists in universities and institutes around the world, it has now grown to be a diverse network for all sorts of information exchange.
This weekend those two great British inventions — trade unions and the internet — will come together to celebrate the first ever online Tolpuddle Martyrs’ Festival.
Due to the coronavirus the Tolpuddle Martyrs’ Festival goes online and will now be live streamed on Facebook and YouTube, with attendees also able to join in with the many festival activities throughout the weekend.
The South West TUC is trying to make the virtual event as similar and enjoyable and as close as possible to the original, complete with debates, films, comedy, music, a kids’ area and a virtual procession on the Sunday afternoon.
The virtual festival, held on the same days as the original, will be livestreamed across various digital platforms.
Festival organiser and regional secretary of the South West TUC Nigel Costley told the Morning Star: “Tolpuddle has always been more than simply music and politics. It’s a gathering of like-minded people, a joyous celebration of trade union solidarity — and that’s what we’re hoping to reflect online.
“We have a full programme of topical debates, a full programme of films and a full programme of music ranging from those who would have played this year’s event to those who we welcome back from previous festivals — all performing exclusive sets for us.
“We’ll also be covering the wreath-laying, interviewing stall-holders and encouraging families to design banners so they can join the virtual procession on Sunday afternoon.”
The whole event will be presented by familiar faces from the festival to add that special Tolpuddle touch.
Watch out for some Tolpuddle regulars and some special surprises.
The festival is free to attend for all. Visit www.tolpuddlemartyrs.org.uk for more information.
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