A beacon for freedom

The Woodland Trust is asking people to vote for England’s first Tree of the Year from a list of 10 unique English trees that have significant cultural or ecological value.

Unite is urging members to vote for the Tolpuddle sycamore, which sheltered the founders of our movement as they met to discuss their long hours and working conditions.

In the 1830s farm workers were suffering bitter cuts to their pay and rural life was incredibly tough.

At the time unions were illegal so workers would meet in secret beneath the shelter of the giant sycamore.

The six founders of the first ever trade union were arrested and sentenced to transportation but a huge protest swept across the country with protests through London and petitions demanding their freedom.

The petitions and protests were a success and the Martyrs were returned home. It’s a hugely important piece of history for the trade union movement showing solidarity and our right to stand up to our employers is a basic human right.

I spoke to John Burbage, Unite’s Tolpuddle branch chair. He told me of the trees’ significance to the trade union movement and why trees have so much value to people.

“Trees unite the past the present and even take us into the future,” he said.

“They command respect,” he added.

Set in the heart of Tolpuddle village the sycamore is said to be 330 years old.

I asked John what set the Tolpuddle tree apart from other trees.

“Not too many trees link the past to the present so poignantly,” said John.

Statement

“The trade union movement has been under continued attack but this tree is a statement that we are here to stay and fight for democracy,” he added.

Tolpuddle 2015: Unite agricultural workers gather under the tree

Nigel Costley is the regional secretary of the South West TUC and organises the annual Tolpuddle Martyrs’ Festival where trade unionists come together to remember the sacrifices made by those six farm workers in a tiny village in Dorset that inspired a movement dedicated to defending workers’ rights.

“At a time when the right to strike is again being challenged, it’s important to remember what the Martyrs’ Tree stands for,” said Nigel.

“The symbolism of the Tolpuddle tree has reached around the world as a beacon for freedom and liberty for ordinary working people,” he added.

Because of the Martyrs it is now people’s legal right to join a trade union and make sure they’re protected at work.

“It’s also a wonderful place to sit and reflect on the story of the Martyrs, through whose sacrifice the right to join a union was enshrined in law.”

Let’s make sure the Tolpuddle sycamore gets the tree-mendous support it so truly deserves!

To vote click here and scroll down the list of trees to find the Tolpuddle tree.