Hi All Just back from our hols in Dorset, and attended the Sunday event at Tolpuddle, one of my ancestral villages, and thought some of the list would be interested.... It was a very hot summers day. Jon Gray chair of South West TUC opened the days event at 11am, there was the Clarion Choir from Nottingham, music with Brendan Croker (blues guitarist), guest speakers Roger Lyons (TUC President) and Hilary Benn (MP, ((father Tony)). 1pm traffic shut off in village, (needed it as there were so many walking about), music by Billy Bragg (daughter wanted his autograph, so had a quick chat with him as he obliged). Roger Lyons, Hilary Benn with his father Tony and other guest speakers, laid wreaths on James Hammett's grave. John Ellis Methodist Minister gave a dedication to the Parade. There was folk music from Northern India, by their drums - the Dhol Blasters who led the procession of Banners through the village with the Musicians' Union Great Western Marching Jazz Band. A South Wales band, the Cwmaman Institute Silver Band entertained too, as did the Oyster Band. Oliver Trevett, Chair of Dorset Agricultural Workers introduced guest spea! kers, one of whom had previously stopped us in the village (before shut off from traffic) to ask us the way to the car park, hope she ended up in the right one), namely Carmen Jeftha, a South African textile Unionist, who gave a very passionate speech. Hazel Blears MP, Brendan Barber TUC Gen Sec and Tony Benn former MP all gave speeches, the latter was very popular, and I was impressed that throughout the day he could be seen mingling and talking to the crowds, and in very good form for his age. A 12yr old girl, Myra Kelita Chiroy de Paz from Guatemala gave a short speach through an interpreter, detailing a typical working day for her from 7am to 8pm working for a family, 5 days a week! The day on the main stage was ended by Cuban music from Asere. We had arrived at the village early, to secure a good parking space (some people had camped there since Friday to attend the whole weekend), and to have a look around before the main stage performances commenced. There were stalls selling this n that and different causes to support. We looked in the church visistor's book (always on the look out for new Hammett cousins, although Audrey from the village usually always informs me, and she had been looking out for us, so spent some time chatting with her), then toddled up to the Methodist Church to search their visitor's book for the same reason. On the way again villagers were taking the opportunity to have a sort of car boot in their front yards and selling beefburgers etc, in competition with the pub over the road which was bursting at the seams. At 5pm we went back up to the Methodist Church that two of my Hammett cousins had built and one being preacher there for the service, we had a lovely brass band to accompany the! singing and again it was packed out. The Revd Paul Arnold, Superintendent Minister of the Dorchester Methodist Circuit opened, readings were by David Wrighton (Faith & Work Development Officer for IBEX, an ecumenical body working in the South Coast economy), Keith Loveless (Churchwarden for St John's Church, didn't get a chance to talk to him but was informed later by Paul Arnold that Mr Keith Loveless had a Martyrs connection). The Revd Dr the Lord Griffiths (Leslie Griffiths), Minister of Wesley's Chapel, London and former President of the Methodist Conference gave a sermon and bouquet of flowers to a lady who had devoted 20 odd years to looking after the chapel (we later saw him being driven back to London in a very ordinary old banger of a car, hope he got there ok) , and John Ellis, Secretary for Business and Economic Affairs for the Methodist Church, gave prayers. People of all creeds were present, including a Catholic nun, and a guide dog, who stood up each time ! his master did, much to the amusement of my daughter. According to the local paper (and it was the 170th anniversary), circ 9,000 attended the event, a record number. Tony Benn thought Tolpuddle should be prescribed by the NHS to anyone suffering from depression, his son Hilary urged people to draw inspiration from the Tolpuddle Martyrs. There is a new shop near the museum now that is very well stocked, which was also bursting at the seams. Given the numbers of people attending, a couple of police did patrol, but never did I see any trouble, and all were well behaved. There was facing painting for the children and an area of amusement for them set aside. Not sure how all the villagers feel about their village being invaded for the weekend once a year, maybe some go away, but one vision that sticks in my head, was of a little dog that was barking and jumping up at his window every time someone went by. Think he was worn out by the end of the day, or his owner deaf!! When attending the Service in the Methodist Chapel, I tr! ied to imagine what it was like in the days of my Hammett cousins, my own ancestors would have been down the road at the C of E church, St John's, a very pretty church. Also what they all would think of their village being so popular once a year, and very different from their days. For a free event, apart from the £3.00 parking fee (which lasts all day, and in seasonal Dorset, very good value), even the musuem is free, it was a good day out. You don't have to be heavily into the Trades Unions, (although hubby is in one), or politically minded to enjoy the day, as it is such a pretty village (don't think it would be the same held in London), and something for everyone one there. It is an education of what else is around in life, something my daughter would not experience at school. We have attended in previous years, but think this year was the best, and of course the good weather helped. We will most likely go again next year if we can, and for those who have not visited the village before, try and do. Cheers from Sally in hot humid West London, which was heavily flooded last night, hubby had to walk home from work, as all main roads grid locked for hours!!!! How I wish we were still on our hols in Dorset..........