In 1834, when six farm workers from the tiny village of Tolpuddle in Dorset were sentenced to seven years’ transportation, a massive protest swept across the country. Thousands of people marched through London and many more organised petitions and protest meetings to demand their freedom.
Their ‘crime’ was to take an oath of solidarity in forming a trade union to fight for a better wage. Forming as union wasn't a crime, but taking a 'secret' oath was. This is the monument outside the Martyrs' Museum, sculpted by Thompson Dagnell. The full story is told inside. The men were eventually reprieved, but only James Hamett returned to Tolpuddle. He is buried in the churchyard.
The museum comprises the central section of this row. In 1934 the TUC decide to build a lasting tribute to the Tolpuddle Martyrs by building six cottages to accommodate retired agricultural trade unionists. A levy of a farthing per member was collected from unions and land was bought on the edge of the village. The cottages were designed to high standards for artisan dwellings with electricity brought to Tolpuddle and a new well dug.
On the green in the middle of the village, stands the sycamore tree under which the Martyrs held their meetings. The second tree has been grown from a cutting from the original.
At the other end of Tolpuddle is the Old Chapel, now dedicated to the memory of the Martyrs
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