Tolpuddle Martyrs honoured at festival

One of the famous ‘Tolpuddle Martyrs’ was commemorated in an ‘incredibly moving’ graveside ceremony at a festival in their honour, attended by the Methodist Church President and Vice-President.

President the Revd Mark Slaney and Vice-President Caroline Stead were among thousands of attendees at this year’s Tolpuddle Martyrs festival, held in the Dorset village of the same name, which honours the 19th-century trade union pioneers.

In 1834, six men, of whom at least four were Methodists, were transported to Australia after founding the Friendly Society of Agricultural Labourers and refusing to work for less than ten shillings a week. This early trade unionism was punished by the government of the time under an obscure law which forbade swearing secret oaths.

After a huge public backlash, the men were eventually pardoned and returned to England. Many then emigrated abroad, with only one, James Hammett, buried in Dorset at St John the Evangelist Churchyard.

Family of Hammet and other representatives were present, with the President and Vice-President among those who laid flowers at the gravestone, which acknowledges his contribution, describing him as “Tolpuddle martyr, pioneer of trades unionism, champion of freedom.”

The annual festival in honour of the Martyrs is organised by the trade union movement and heavily linked to the history of Methodism in the south-west, with a huge march held by various unions and other organisations. Among the banners this year was one from Tolpuddle Methodists, which listed the names of the six men.

The festival over the years has evolved into a massive celebration of union rights and has attracted big-name speakers and musical acts. On the Festival site, with sofas and prayer cards, an enthusiastic group of volunteers asked the question “can we sit in solidarity with you?”, inviting festival goers to sit with us and have a conversation or prayer.

Historic Methodist sites are also in the village, with a trail taking in the Martyrs’ homes and meeting places.

A chapel built in 1818, and used by the Martyrs, still stands, but has not been used as a chapel since 1844 when the lease expired. It is a Grade II* listed building and was acquired in 2015 by the Tolpuddle Old Chapel Trust (TOCT).

In a joint statement, the President and Vice-President said: “The Methodist Church in Britain has discerned a call to be a justice seeking Church rooted in and growing from our heritage in stories like the one celebrated and remembered this weekend at the Tolpuddle Martyrs festival.

“Like the six Dorset farm labourers, five of whom were Methodist members, three of whom were local preachers, we were we were inspired to know God as our guide and to seek liberty and equity for the ordinary working person.

“It was incredibly moving and a great honour to lay the Methodist wreath at James Hammett's grave in the presence of his great great great great granddaughter, her daughter and granddaughter.”

Revd John Yarrien, Circuit Superintendent and Chair of the Friends of Tolpuddle Methodist Chapel, Dorset South and West Circuit, Southampton District said: “We took the opportunity to pray for the President and Vice President, presenting them with a Tolpuddle Methodist t-shirt, a cap and festival bear, as they embark on their onward journey of discovering our inclusive, growing, evangelistic and justice seeking church, with God as their guide.”