The Tolpuddle Martyrs' Sycamore Tree

As we were passing, we stopped here in Tolpuddle on the way home today, the Dorset village home to the six farm workers who were sentenced to transportation in 1834 for forming a trade union (or to be more precise, swearing a secret oath of allegiance; trades union weren't illegal but, under an obscure naval law, secret oaths were).

They were reputed to meet under this sycamore tree. Already on the poverty line, the local landowner reduced their wages from nine shillings a week to seven.

Their case led to nationwide protests, they were eventually pardoned and they are credited with galvanising the Trades Union movement.

You can read more on the website of the Martyrs' Museum, situated on the edge of the village.

http://www.tolpuddlemartyrs.org.uk/index.php?page=martyr-s-story

The heavy rain stopped us exploring further (and we wanted to visit our friend Dave who is now in a hospice in Yeovil) but we intend to go back in better weather.