Journalists from across the South West joined the annual Tolpuddle Martyrs Rally in Dorset at the weekend.

Proudly marching behind the banner of the NUJ’s Gloucestershire Branch, reporters, photographers and subs from the Dorset Echo were accompanied by colleagues from other parts of the region to celebrate the birth of the trade union movement.

Miranda Holman, mother of chapel at the Echo, said: “I grew up round here and I’ve been to more rallies than I can remember but this was the first time I took part in the march. It was amazing – so good, we’re all planning to come back again next year!”

While education minister Estelle Morris made the headlines in the national press for being heckled as she addressed the crowd, those who attended the event will long remember the warm spirit of camaraderie amongst the punters.

There was drinking way into Saturday night as trade unionists from all over the country celebrated the Tolpuddle Martyrs by dancing to top Latin American band CoCo Express.

But there were casualties. Miranda warned: “Don’t try and salsa down a slope after having six pints of lager because you might break someone’s nose.”

Other casualties allegedly included a local radio reporter who was so drunk on Saturday night they were unable to report from the festival on Sunday!

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