Continuing our series on the great London murals.
Like many a multistorey mural, the wall remembering the Tolpuddle Martyrs is not one that most Londoners will naturally stumble across. Tucked away within the entrance to Edwards Square park, this striking work near Caledonian Road is not in the most prominent of positions, but it is site-specific.
The so-called Tolpuddle Martyrs were six farm labourers from the village of Tolpuddle in Dorset. In 1834, they were arrested and transported to Australia for the heinous crime of forming a trade union to protest against low wages. Their harsh punishment sparked nationwide outrage and mass protests, turning them into symbols of the fight for workers’ rights. Public pressure eventually led to their pardon and return to Britain. Ever since, they've been heroes of the labour movement.
The biggest protest of all saw an estimated 100,000 sympathisers march from this area (then known as Copenhagen Fields) to Parliament, and then on to Kennington Common.
The mural was first painted in 1984, the golden age of the community mural, by local artist Dave Bangs. It coincided with the 150th anniversary of the protest march. The mural had faded badly in recent years, but an unexpected grant from a neighbouring landlord has led to its colourful restoration by artist Dodeco.
The mural shows some of the protesters assembling in Copenhagen Fields, ready to march. Their banners carry legends such as "Break down the walls that divide us", "End exploitation" and "Pardon the six Tolpuddle Martyrs". Meanwhile, an artfully painted tree blends seamlessly with the foliage that's grown up in front of the mural.
Find it: Copenhagen Street, northern entrance to Edward Square.
See our full series on London's best murals, including:
- The Battersea mural
- The Fitzrovia mural
- The Battle of Cable Street mural
- The Sutton Heritage Mosaic
- Dalston's Hackney Peace Carnival mural
- Kingsbury's George Michael Mural
- New Cross's Riders of the Apocalypse mural
- Brixton's Nuclear Dawn mural
- Peckham's RUN mural
- Whitechapel's Sidney Street mural
