Programme
DRAFT PROGRAMME
Friday 19 July
Festival site open from midday
Martyrs' Marquee 7pm
RPM
Armed with the confidence of youth and an arsenal of killer hooks. Stand back as these young guns storm the gates of rock 'n' roll and Tolpuddle.
Martyrs' Marquee 7.45pm
Bandana Collective
Political musical collective with Robb Johnson and friends
Martyrs' Marquee 8.40pm
Gaz Brookfield
Martyrs' Marquee 9.30pm
Sound of the Sirens
Devon-based trio whose rich harmonies have graced several anti-cuts events in the region
Martyr's Marquee 10.30pm
Talisman
One of the UK’s top British Roots Reggae bands from the late 70s and early 80s. They are back with a desire to rekindle their reggae magic and will close the Friday night at Tolpuudle in style.
Kid's stuff - all weekend - programme here
Saturday 20th July
Open Mic area Saturday 12noon
Tolpuddle poetry
hosted by Bob Johnson
Martyrs' Marquee Saturday 12noon
Speak up
Campaign stall-holders and others have a chance to explain why they are at Tolpuddle, hosted by Tim Lezard
Open Mic area Saturday 1pm
Tolpuddle's got talent
The popular open-mic session will again attract talent of all flavours. Served up by host John Reed.
No advance booking taken.
Saturday
Martyrs' Marquee and Tolpuddle Fringe tent
Programme of discussion and debate - click here for details: FRINGE
Tolpuddle village trails
Guided walks through the village to see where the Martyrs lived, worshipped and organised. Nigel Pitman and Tony Gould lead trails from the sculpture on Saturday at 11am and 2pm.
Tolpuddle Teen Trail led by teenagers for teenagers on Saturday at 1pm
Unizone
there will be a programme of activities in the corner of the lawns including:
Rosie MacGregor - protest song workshop
Royal College of Midwives Community Choir (Poole and Bournemouth)
3.30pm
Posh Frock and Jukebox
Great music from this Forest of Dean trio
RMT Marquee 1.30pm
Action for Rail
with Bob Crow, RMT General Secretary, Matt Dykes, TUC Policy Officer and others tbc
Unite Marquee will play host to a range of activities, stalls and displays.
1913 Cornwall Chine Clay Strike exhibition - Unite Commity Members - Unite learning - Unite's campaings for agricutural and rural workers and more.
5pm
Skimmity Hitchers
The cult slot that seems to attract more every year. Scrumpy and Western music
Martyrs' Marquee
Doors open at 6.30pm for 7pm
We will be Free
Tolpuddle Martyrs' story by Neil Gore, music directed by John Kirkpatrick, directed by Louise Townsend and Richard Stone, designed by Fine Time Fontane.
Fresh from their success with the Ragged Trousered Philanthropists, Townsend Productions, launch their new offering. The play will feature Betsy Loveless and the struggle faced by the women and families as well as the campaign to free the six Martyrs.
The first performance of the new play before it goes to the Edinburgh Festival and then on UK tour.
Tolpuddle unplugged
The Fringe tent will be available for anyone who wants to join in a collective free-for-all.
Martyrs' Marquee 8.30pm
POG
Punk/pop band with incisive words and catchy tunes.
Martyrs' Marquee 9.30pm
Phil 'Swill' Odgers
Taking a break from The Men They Couldn’t Hang, Swill will be playing songs from his new album.
Martyrs' Marquee 10.45pm
The Skints
Young ska band from East London, gaining a reputation as a great live act. Ideal to get everyone dancing.
Sunday 21st July
POA Freedom Hike from Dorchester to Tolpuddle
Main Stage 10.45am
Robb Johnson
will help steer a packed programme of music and speakers. He may just sing himself.
Main Stage 10.45am
Headsticks
Main Stage 11.30am
Lady Maisery
Whether singing unaccompanied, or with backing from their combined instrumental talents on accordion, harp and fiddle, be prepared to be enchanted by rich harmonies and sumptuous clashes.
Sunday Main Stage 12.30 pm
Speakers
Lesley Mercer, TUC President
Julia Long, Unite Agricultural Officer
Judith Kirton-Darling, ETUC Confederal Secretary
Main Stage 1pm
Jez Lowe and the Bad Pennies
Jez Lowe is a recognised musical ambassador for his native North East England, with more than a dozen albums and countless live performances around the world over the last twenty years.
St John's Churchyard 1pm
Wreaths are laid on the grave of James Hammett
Red Notes Choir sings
Main Stage 1.45pm
David Wrighton Methodist Minister says a few words
Betsy Loveless appeals for support
Procession with marching bands
Time to march. Find a banner or just join in.
Musicians’ Union Great Western Marching Jazz Band
RMT Easington Band
NASUWT marching band
UNISON Samba Band
Sunday Main Stage 3pm
speakers
including
Frances O'Grady, TUC General Secretary
Main Stage 3.30pm
Nidi d'Arac
A revolution in Italian music mixing the sounds of Salento with electronica and contemporary dance beats.
Main Stage 5pm
Billy Bragg
Billy is back fresh from a successful launch of a new album Tooth and Nail. He is sure to get a great reception and sing some old Tolpuddle favourites.
Martyrs' Marquee 11am
Tatty Smart MC
the front man from Skimmity Hitchers introduces a blend of music and politics
Enjoy the entertainment whist visiting the wide range of campaigning stalls. If you want to apply for a stall space click here:
Martyrs' Marquee 11am
Louise Distras
A woman with a fist full of protest songs against injustice, chauvinism and bigotry.
Martyrs' Marquee 11.40pm
Rosie Upton and Pete MacGregor
Bringing to life traditional union songs and original material.
Martyrs' Marquee 12.25pm
Michael Roach
East coast blues that dates back to the 1920 and promotes African-American culture through great music.
Martyrs' Marquee 1.15pm
Pilar Lopez
Songs and stories from the Spanish Civil War.
Martyrs' Marquee 3pm
Quiet Loner
Songs about love, loss and the redeeming power of country music.
Martyrs' Marquee 4pm
Leon Fender Walker
Jail Guitar Doors alumni takes to the Tolpuddle stage.
Martyrs' Marquee 4.25pm
Mels All Stars
Ramshackle Brighton band with a metro gumbo of originals and weird covers - and an unatural preoccupation with the Eastbourne Tourist Board.
Methodist Chapel 5pm
Service
The preacher at the service towards the end of the Festival will be the Rev. Canon Alan Robson, a Lincolnshire rural chaplain and a Methodist at the cutting edge of rural issues.
Order your Festival passes here
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