The Mudcat Café TM
Thread #90326 Message #1711039
Posted By: The Shambles
05-Apr-06 - 09:41 AM
Thread Name: Tolpuddle Festival 2006 14-16 July
Subject: Tolpuddle Festival 2006 14-16 July
Tolpuddle Martyrs Festival just gets bigger and better
Last year's record breaking numbers are excepted to be repeated this July when crowds gather at the small village of Tolpuddle to remember the sacrifice of six Dorset farm labourers. In 1834 the Tolpuddle Martyrs were transported to Australia for daring to organise themselves in the face of declining wages and conditions. The successful protest that followed was the first mass mobilisation by the early Trade Union movement in Britain.
Speakers this year will include Tony Benn, Shami Chakrabarti and Brendan Barber. The programme includes local and international musicians, while Saturday's workshops cover Climate Change and Latin America.
On Sunday, Dorset favourites The Yetties will be playing along with World Music Award nominee Susheela Raman and The Bleeding Hearts on the Main Stage. South Africa's Freshly Ground will be coming to Tolpuddle straight from European dates including the Cannes Film Festival and the World Cup Semi-Final in Berlin. No Tolpuddle Festival would be complete without Billy Bragg.
Sunday's Martyrs Marquee Stage is a showcase of local talent, including The Herbie Treehead Band, The Kate Garrett Band and Heron. Also David Rovics will be coming all the way from the US to play while festival favourite Wob opens the day."
The Three Daft Monkeys perform on Friday night supported by the Hightown Crows and Get Cape, Wear Cape, Fly! Saturday night's Demon Barber Roadshow is not to be missed.
The Tolpuddle Martyrs Festival runs from the 14th - 16th July. For more information and to book a pitch contact the South West TUC on 0117 947 0521 or email southwest@tuc.org.uk