Tolpuddle in London - 25th April 2009

Tolpuddle in London - 25th April 2009

Help mark the 175th anniversary of the Grand Demonstration

In 1834 some 100,000 people joined the Grand Demonstration that marched from Copenhagen Fields to Parliament and on to Kennington Common to demand the release of the Tolpuddle Martyrs. Six Dorset farm workers had been sentenced to seven years' transportation into slavery in Australia for forming a trade union. The attack on early unions had to be challenged.
A 200,000 strong petition was carried shoulder high and many more poured in from all over the country. The demonstration was just the start and the government eventually backed down and gave the six men free pardons.

Join us to remember those who fought for our rights. An afternoon of music, key speakers, procession and banners. Activities for children and young people organised by the Woodcraft Folk, Kate Greenaway Nursery and local schools. All next to the Tolpuddle Martyrs' mural at Edward Square, near King's Cross.

PROGRAMME
Times are likely to vary slightly
12.30pm
Clocktower, Caledonian Park, Market Road - assemble from noon, entertainment and refreshments.
Plaque to be unveiled by Frances O'Grady TUC Deputy General Secretary, organised by Islington Trades Council.
1.30pm
March to Edward Square at junction of Caledonian Road and Copenhagen Street.
2pm
Councillor Stefan Kasprzyk the Mayor of Islington, opens the celebration
Megan Dobney SERTUC Regional Secretary
14.20pm
Martin Carthy, England's pre-eminent traditional folk musician
14.45pm
Alun Howkins, historian tbc
14.55pm
Graham Moore Tolpuddle Man Dorset singer/songwriter
15.15pm
Raised Voices choir
15.25pm
Leon Rosselson, radical singer/songwriter
15.45pm
Emily ThornberryMP for Islington South
Frances O'Grady TUC Deputy General Secretary
16.00pm
Billy Bragg Tolpuddle favourite needs no introduction
More speakers to be confirmed
16.30pm
Northern Celts Band
17.45pm
Come to Tolpuddle,
Nigel Costley, South West TUC Regional Secretary
For more see:
http://tolpuddlekx.wordpress.com/
www.tuc.org.uk/tolpuddle
Supported by the South West TUC, Southern and Eastern Region TUC and London Borough of Islington
For more information contact
David Renton davidkrenton@googlemail.com
Megan Dobney, SERTUC, Congress House, Great Russell Street, London WC1B 3LS
mdobney@tuc.org.uk 020 7467 1220
Briefing document (400 words) issued 12 Mar 2009