The WCML at the Tolpuddle Martyrs Festival
This year we were delighted to be represented at the annual Tolpuddle Martyrs festival on 18th – 20th July by two of our volunteers, Arthur Richardson and Avis Gilmore. Arthur and Avis travelled to Dorset with the library’s banner designed and made by banner maker Ed Hall and singer, Jennifer Reid, which they proudly displayed on the march.
Arthur and Avis said,
“Our banner had it’s first appearance at the Tolpuddle Martyrs Festival this year and attracted a lot of attention. Although only there on the Sunday, the banner was on display all day and took part in the march. Countless photographs were taken whilst it was on display and several times on the march we were asked to stop whilst yet another photo was taken. We were also stopped by Ed Hall, who made the banner, to say how thrilled he was to see it. A significant number of leaflets were also distributed and led to conversations with people who were interested in the Library and keen to have more information. There were several folk who had been and they were really complimentary, including recommending it to those they were with”.
Arthur and Avis are working with other volunteers at the library to promote our work amongst the trade union movement and encourage them to affiliate and financially support us to care for and promote the history of working class movements.
You can find out more about trade union affiliation here.