Tolpuddle Martyrs' Festival, Dorset : 13th - 15th July

dorset | community | announcement Sunday July 08, 2007 02:01 by marty puddle

This is a Free Festival of events.

There are separate charges for parking and camping.
http://www.tuc.org.uk/the_tuc/tuc-12942-f0.cfm

PDF Free Festival Programme.
http://www.tuc.org.uk/the_tuc/tuc-12942-f0.pdf

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Tolpuddle Martyrs' Festival 2007 : 13th - 15th July



Programme of Events, Performances & Music
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On February 24th, 1834, six farm labourers from the Dorset village of Tolpuddle were arrested on a charge of taking part in an 'illegal oath' ceremony. In the eyes of their masters, however, 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. A historic episode in the struggle for trade unionists' rights in Great Britain.

We shall never forget what we owe them.

* Wednesday 11 July to Friday 13 July
* Friday 13 July
* Saturday 14 July
* Saturday & Sunday - Kids Area 2007
* Sunday 15 July
* Camping
* Getting to Tolpuddle


Wednesday 11 July to Friday 13 July
Tolpuddle Green Camp

Champion the environment at home, work and college. Learn, discuss and share ideas. Accredited course from Wednesday 11 July until the end of the Festival. For details: TUC on 0117 947 0521 or southwest@tuc.org.uk. Download a flyer containing further details of the Green Camp
Friday 13 July

8.00 - 11.30

The Return of the Friday Night Ceilidh

Up & Running plus guests

Dorset's premier ceilidh band arrive to kick the festival off in great style with jigs, reels and dances. Up & Running are made up of the some of the best musicians in Dorset and includes David Squirrel on mandolin and bouzouki, Paul Moores on pipes and bodhran, Ashley Read on fiddle and Fin Gunn on banjo and bouzouki, while the calling is carried out by Trevor Morgan.

During the interval we'll be entertained by two of the West Country's finest fiddle players who come together to create a unique blend of rhythmic chord patterns, flowing melodies and exquisite harmonies.

nick wyke and becki driscollNick Wyke and Becki Driscoll play with dynamic energy and passion, uplifting audiences and giving a modern vitality and drive to English fiddle music. www.englishfiddle.com


Saturday 14 July

Open Mic Sessions with Graham Moore

From 1pm outside the Workers' Beer tent

You will be surprised by the wealth of talent who turn up to perform.

Poetry Corner and library under the trees, complete with shaded hammocks. Open mic: sign up with Josie Hickin j.m.hickin@dorsetcc.gov.uk 01305 228528

3pm

The mask of anarchy

Dave Clinch, Chris Ayliffe and Colin Shaddick perform Shelley's angry protest.

Martyrs' Marquee

stalls

Workshops

1.30-3.00

On the Edge: organizing vulnerable workers

3.30-5.00

Climate Change and International Solidarity
Saturday & Sunday - Kids Area 2007

The Tolpuddle Kids Area is back with plenty to occupy children both young and not so young.

Fran Marsh is back running the ever popular flag making workshop. Pop along to make a flag for Sundays procession.

If you took part in Noah Messomo's storytelling and drumming workshops last year you'll know how good they were, if you didn't then don't miss out this year. Locally based Noah, originally from Cameroon, has built up a huge reputation for involving everyone in his enthusiastic sessions which really bring the stories and drums to life.

West Dorset Friends of the Earth are back with the bouncy castle so jump around and help the planet.

Playworkers from Wimbourne based PlayPlus will be providing games, floor activities and mask making craft activity throughout the weekend.

Check the board for activity times over the weekend.

7.30

Martyrs' Marquee

Workers' Beer Company and Ethical Threads present

Julian Gaskell and the Ragged Trousered Philanthropists.

Based in Cornwall they play a variety of styles including european folk, punk, klezmer, blues, country and swing.

http://www.juliangaskell.co.uk/

Mark Thomas

mark thomasBritain's most activist comedian, scourge of the establishment and prime geezer. 'If You're not pissed off, you've not been paying attention.'

www.mtcp.co.uk



The Baghdaddies

An eclectic fusion of rhythms and melodies plucked from around the world that are guaranteed to raise your spirits! Festival favourites, The Baghdaddies play Balkan gypsy with Middle Eastern flavours, shades of klezmer and tango, jazz and reggae plus a touch of ska - all laced with funky dance grooves and blistering eastern brass harmonies.

www.baghdaddies.co.uk/
Sunday 15 July

Martyrs' Marquee

Stalls

Compere - Herbie Treehead

herbie treeheadReturning after lasts record event, star of field and screen Herbie Treehead, will be back to keep things running smoothly in the Martyrs Marquee.



11.00am

Westcoaster

westcoasterWestcoaster are a trio of talented musicians from Dorset and Devon. Take
Becki Driscoll's folk fiddle and mix with Mitch Norman's driving rhythmic
guitar. Add Nick Wyke on bass and fiddle and blend to create a melting pot
of toe-tapping tunes and stirring songs. Bon Appetit!

11.50am

On the Border

on the borderOn the Border combine traditional and contemporary songs with perfect harmonies and a relaxed guitar style. With years of playing together the duo now have a strong bond musically and draw on a range of influences when creating their own style. '

www.myspace.com/ontheborderband

12.45pm

Hoovering the Heavens

Hoovering the Heavens are a versatile eight piece acapella female group. Who formed in 2002 for the joy of singing together. The group is lead by Kathie Prince, who's voice has been compared to Frankie Armstrong's.

Hoovering The Heavens sing an eclectic range of music, covering African, Eastern European, Chilean, Scottish, Folk, Gospel, Medieval French and Slovenian music.

1.30pm

Puddletown School

puddletown schoolPupils from St Mary's perform songs developed as part of an activities week to bring to life the Martyrs' struggle.

2.45pm

Capital Girls and Capital Pearls

This Bridport four-piece are set for big things. Formed in February 2006 their intention was simple: to create music that was organic and natural, not composed and fabricated, or dictated by any kind of genre rules. A recent reviews have said that 'Seeing Capital Girls and Capital Pearls live is a beautiful and moving experience. This is music you can really lose yourself in'.

3.35pm

The Dolmen

Folk-rock pagans give rousing performances of traditional and original songs.

5pm

Pressgang

End of festival party

The Main stage is packing up so its time to join Pressgang for an end of festival party in the Marquee.

Pressgang have reformed with their original 1990's line-up and are a folk band like no other, taking traditional songs into places that no other band dared to go. New sounds from an accordion, whirling dervish instrumentals, acapella singing and rapping are just a taste of the full ingredients. Add to this storytelling, drama and audience participation and you'll have an idea of the stage show that will guarantee that you stay until the end of the festival.

Leave your ideas of folk music at home. Bring an open mind and enjoy the ride.

www.voxpop.demon.co.uk/pghome.htm

Churchyard

churchyard1pm

Wreath laying on the grave of James Hammett





Main Stage

11am

opens with host Graham Moore

11.05am

Angie Palmer

Get there on time to hear one of the best British songwriters.

www.angiepalmer.com/

11.45am

Chumbawambachumbawumba

Get on with it: over 20 years ago they began with a cassette sold as a benefit for striking miners. 'Tubthumping anarchists embrace English folk tradition, get audience singing harmony parts, and end war and starvation forever.' This is Chumbawamba getting on with doing what they do best ? mouthing off, analysing the world, having a laugh... and all to a catchy tune.

www.chumba.com/

12.30

speakers

chair South West TUC

Alison Shepherd TUC President

Tony Woodley TGWU General Secretary

1pm

Lion Train

a collective of black musicians dedicated to the memory of Bob Marley. Already hailed as the greatest tribute to Bob Marley in the country, Lion Train are on a serious mission to resurrect the spirit of his words and music.

www.accessallareas.info/liontrain.html

1.45

Dedication of the Parade with Methodist Minister

2.00

Procession led by MU Great Western Jazz Band

3.00

speakers

Brendan Barber

Tony Benn

International speaker tbc

3.30

The Men They Couldn't Hang

Legendary UK folk rockers. Together for 20 years and they still sound good, a mix of punk anger and country roots.

www.tmtch.net/

4.15

Billy Bragg

billy braggWho else could end the programme and inspire us to keep up the fight for a better world?

Billy Bragg was described by The Times newspaper as a 'national treasure'. In the two and a half decades of his career Bragg has certainly made an indelible mark on the conscience of British music, becoming perhaps the most stalwart guardian of the radical dissenting tradition that stretches back over centuries of the country's political, cultural and social history.

www.billybragg.co.uk/

Join Marquee Party on your way out

Methodist Chapel

5.00

Service

Camping

Tolpuddle 2007 Camping Tickets

Please note the Tolpuddle camp site is now full, for details of alternative campsites visit the following websites:

* www.touristnetuk.com
* www.westdorset.com
* www.purbeck.gov.uk


Getting to Tolpuddle

map of tolpuddle

Follow signs from the A35 to the car park to the west of the village.

Parking Free with each camping tag or £5 per car, per day; £10 weekend pass.

Coaches Free, drop off and park to the east of the village. Log your coach on www.tuc.org.uk/tolpuddlecoaches. Also check out whether any coaches are coming from your area at http://www.tuc.org.uk/the_tuc/coaches.cfm

Train Take the train to Dorchester or park and ride. Bus from Dorchester South on Sunday 10.30am and 11.30am returning from Tolpuddle 5.30pm and 6.30pm

(Subject to timetable review in June).

£2 each way.
The Martyrs' Museum

Don't miss visiting the shop and museum. Souvenirs will also be on sale on the TUC stall.

Buy On-line

On-line facility to buy gifts and camping tags.

www.tuc.org.uk/tolpuddle

Village Trail

Take a stroll through the village to see where the Martyrs lived, worshiped and organised.

The Old Court, Dorchester

Visit the court where the Martyrs were tried and sentenced. It is on the High Street in the centre of Dorchester. Free guided tours of the cells 10am to 1pm. 01305 252241

v.wye@westdorset-dc.gov.uk