Thousands will again descend on a Dorset village this weekend to celebrate trade unionism.

Music, workshops, family entertainment, comedy, poetry, speeches and political debate make up the Tolpuddle Martyrs Festival running from today until Sunday.

The festival, with the main rally on Sunday, remembers the harrowing story of the six farm workers who formed a trade union to protest against their meagre wages and were consequently arrested and sentenced to seven years’ transportation for taking an oath of secrecy.

It was a move which sparked a massive protest across the country – and their story is kept alive at the festival where tales of modern day struggles are heard.

Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn will be rallying the troops as the main speaker on Sunday.

He will be followed by two musical acts who will get the crowd moving – hugely influential UK reggae band Misty in Roots and singer-songwriter – and west Dorset resident – Billy Bragg.

Sunday also sees the wreath-laying at the grave of James Hammett, and the grand procession at 2pm which sees thousands march through the village accompanied by bands.

Another speaker lined up is the actor Maxine Peake, star of Dinnerladies and Shameless.

There is no entrance charge on the Sunday although a £10 parking fee has been introduced.

There is a host of events today and tomorrow for which there is a charge – online booking has now closed so visitors can pay on arrival.

Music in the Martyrs Marquee tonight includes Steve Knightley and The Bar Stool Preachers.

Tomorrow sees open-mic poetry, various talks and debate, and music from She Makes War and Captain Ska.

There will be sessions on a variety of subjects through the weekend including Grenfell, Brexit, young workers and women.

As reported, tomorrow festival-goers will be able to catch a shuttle bus from the festival to Dorchester's Shire Hall Historic Courthouse Museum – the place where the Martyrs were detained and sentenced. The bus runs on Saturday and costs £10, which includes entry to the museum.

Organiser of the Tolpuddle Martyrs Festival, Tom de Wit, said that this year was a very special celebration.

He said: “We are particularly excited this year, with the 150th anniversary of the TUC – an important historic year for the festival, that such an important part of the story has become publicly accessible.”

TUC General Secretary Frances O’Grady will praise the values of the trade union movement and call on workers to stick together in her speech at the rally on Sunday.

She will say: “The values shared by those six brave martyrs – solidarity, unity and compassion – inspired a nation and changed the course of history. And they continue to define our movement today.

“If trade unionism is about one thing, then it is about friendship between working people. And with the alt-right on the march – in this country, across Europe and in Trump’s America – that matters more than ever.

“Let’s be clear: whoever we are, and wherever we’re from, we are all working people and we will always be stronger together.”

For more information visit tolpuddlemartyrs.org.uk