feature Tolpuddle
A SMASHING SUCCESS
Unite’s presence at the Tolpuddle Martyrs’ Festival in July was yet another smashing success.
Unite’s South West region, the union’s Food, Drink and Agriculture (FDA) sector and Landworker magazine joined forces once again to present a weekend of inspiring talks and entertainment.
Unite’s tent at Tolpuddle is the only one at the festival whose focus is rural and agricultural workers. It’s not just remembering the Tolpuddle Martyrs’ legacy, but a celebration of what it means to be a rural worker today.
Unite’s activities at Tolpuddle began with a riveting new play, the Chipping Norton Incident, which tells the little- known story of the Ascott Martyrs. They were a group of women who bravely supported their farmworker husbands, brothers, sons and fathers when they took strike action in 1873.
Their actions paved the way for our right to picket but also landed the Martyrs – 16 women and two babies – in prison. They were sentenced to hard labour, and their treatment sparked nationwide protests.
The play, written by Tess Fletcher, premiered at Unite’s tent to universal acclaim. The poignant retelling of the Ascott Martyrs’ story was made all the more compelling by the dynamic acting of the four cast members, clever dialogue and direct citations of historical sources – including the Landworker!
On Saturday, Unite South West presented a talk on equalities, with the region’s equalities officer Lorraine Gibbs chairing the event.
The panel included Unite member Torkwase Holmes, who gave an inspiring speech on the urgent need for BAEM people to donate blood.
Meanwhile, Unite member Martin Jared-Davis spoke of his work supporting LGBT+ communities and helping organise Pride in Plymouth.
Unite rep Maria Boyle spoke of the challenges women face securing the right kind of PPE, especially in male-dominated industries like hers, in construction. Unite rep Dan Smith went on to give an informative talk on neurodiversity in the workplace, emphasising that when businesses and institutions become ‘neuro-affirming’, everyone benefits.
Concluding the South West’s equalities panel was Maggie Roberts, vice chair of Unite’s retired members’ section. Maggie spoke about retired members’ successful campaign against cuts to the Winter Fuel Allowance.
n By Hajera Blagg
Unite’s most ambitious Tolpuddle Saturday ends in cheers
Next up on Saturday afternoon was Landworker magazine’s two talks, both chaired by Landworker editor Amanda Campbell.
In Robocrop: Is AI reaping rewards or wreaking havoc? the packed audience was treated to an all-star panel, including contributions from Steve Leniec, Unite agricultural chair and tractor driver; Unite FDA national officer Paul Travers; and Unite convenor and food manufacturing worker Monique Mosley.
Steve gave a fascinating overview of the latest technologies in robotics and AI that many farms commonly use now. Steve said the next phase will involve completely autonomous AI.
He asked whether we should be worried about the rise of AI, arguing that the answer is both ‘yes’ and ‘no’. He highlighted the impact AI could have on communities, businesses and public services, noting, “Robots don’t go to the pub, or to the local schools”.
The play that went right – Ascott Martyrs’ tale
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