MARTYRS’ TALE GOES TO VENICE
A banner linking the Tolpuddle Martyrs' with the plight of refugees recently housed on the Bibby Stockholm has returned to Dorset, after taking centre stage in the 2024 Venice Biennale.
Justice Knows No Borders was created by trade union banner maker Ed Hall and first unveiled at the 2024 Tolpuddle Martyrs' Festival, where refugees from the detention barge proudly carried it during the annual procession.
The banner joined diverse artwork from across the county, including a sheepskin map of Lower Hewood Farm and Orlem and an ink drawing by musician PJ Harvey. These travelled to Venice, forming the Dorset Pavillion, where it was seen by over 7,000 visitors from 30 countries.
UNITE HELPS RURAL
FOOD BANKS
The Venice Biennale is an international cultural exhibition held since 1895, with themes annually swapping between art and architecture.
Curator Sophie Molins said, “The banner creates a visual and historical link between the Tolpuddle Martyrs, the transportation ships of the nineteenth century and the twenty-first century detention barge, Bibby Stockholm moored off Portland.”
Once back home from its travels, the exhibition was displayed in Bridport Arts Centre, allowing local people to see how the county had been portrayed in Venice.
Unite branches across Somerset and North Devon supported food banks recently, as members said they “simply cannot sit back and do nothing.”
The Somerset and North Devon Unite Community and the Unite Taunton Retired Members’ branches jointly donated £1,600 to 16 food banks across the area to help those struggling with the cost-of-living crisis and continued government cuts.
There are increasing concerns from food banks about meeting demand at a time when the Independent Food Aid Network says the number of people they support has gone up dramatically, and many of their members fear they will be unable to meet demand.
Andy Mitchell, chair of Somerset and Devon Unite Community branch, said, “We owe the volunteers who run these organisations a great deal of gratitude.
“Food banks are really struggling this year because of increased demand and rising costs due to the cost-of- living crisis.
“Rising inflation has made it even harder for people who have been hit hard by high inflation and rocketing energy bills, and many basic food items have gone up in price dramatically this year.”
Andy noted that donations are dropping, as many who used to donate are struggling themselves. He added that Unite branches will always support communities and fight for better wages and conditions for all workers.
9 uniteLANDWORKER Summer 2025
Alamy
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