BILLY Bragg and the indomitable Tony Benn are just two of the big names to appear at this year’s Tolpuddle Festival.
The men, both regular festival favourites, will be joined by a host of trade union heavyweights from across the UK.
This year’s event takes on special significance after union bosses, reacting to continued public service cuts, have threatened a summer of discontent.
Among those set to address the thousands of trade union supporters expected throughout the three-day festival are CND general secretary Kate Hudson, RMT president Alex Gordon, former UNISON leader Rodney Bickerstaffe, TUC general secretary Brendan Barber and Unite general secretary Len McCluskey.
The festival starts tomorrow evening, with the main speakers taking the rostrum on Saturday and Sunday.
Live music features throughout the event, with the main procession through historic Tolpuddle village taking place on Sunday afternoon.
Visit tolpuddlemartyrs.org.uk for full details of who is speaking and which bands are performing.
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