Tolpuddle Martyrs' Festival 2012
13-15 July 2012
On February 24th, 1834, six farm labourers from Tolpuddle
were arrested on a charge of taking part in an ‘illegal oath’
ceremony.
The real offence was that they had dared to form a trade union
to defend their livelihood. For this they were sentenced to seven
years’ transportation to the penal colonies of Australia. The
sentences provoked an immense outcry, leading to the first great
mass trade union protest.
The campaign won free pardons and the Martyrs’ return to
England. It was an historic episode in the struggle for trade
unionists’ rights in Great Britain. And that is why every year
thousands of trade unionists gather at Tolpuddle - find out more
from the Tolpuddle
Martyrs Festival website.
