Volunteers at the Tolpuddle Martyrs Museum got dug in this weekend, as they set about tidying up the grounds around the museum .

They planted a new line of Espalier apple trees, pruned back the hedges and brightened up the site with bulbs.

The museum commemorates the Tolpuddle Martyrs, farm labourers who were transported to Australia in 1834 for forming a union and fighting to stop cuts to their pay.

Recently museum staff decided it would be a good idea to bring together a team of volunteers to help spruce up the gardens.

A number of people who regularly volunteer at the annual festival decided this would be a great opportunity to help out the museum, and catch up with each other.

Tom De Wit is the Tolpuddle Martyrs Museum manager. He said; “This was the first volunteer team day and it was amazing how much we got done. The new apple trees will really brighten up the old orchard, which is used as the kids’ area during the festival, and trimming the hedge has made the area look much tidier.”

“The plan is to have regular volunteer days and if today is anything to go by it will make a big difference to visitor’s experience of the museum and grounds.”

The Tolpuddle Martyrs Museum is presently running its winter opening hours and can be visited on Thursday to Sunday.