Early in 1873, farmworkers who had formed a branch of the National Agricultural Labourers Union at Ascott-under-Wychwood in Oxfordshire were dismissed and strikebreakers from a neighbouring village brought in.

Sixteen women from Ascott who tried to persuade the strike-breakers to switch sides and join the union were arrested, tried and sentenced to imprisonment with hard labour. In the uproar that followed, the women received a partial pardon and were released to a heroes’ welcome.

This story of nineteeth century rural trade unionism, the oppression – and its happier outcome – are to be celebrated this year, marking the one hundred and fiftieth anniversary of these events.

Supported by grants from the Society for the Study of Labour History, there will be a one-day conference on Friday 16 June at FarmED in nearby Shipton under Wychwood. The story of the ‘Ascott Martyrs’ is also told in a book, edited by Keith Laybourn and now available to purchase.

Details of the book can be found in this PDF document.

Details of the conference can be found in this PDF document.

Conference registration is now open here.

Members of the Society for the Study of Labour History who attend the conference are entitled to a free copy of the book. Additional copies can be bought here.

Further information and contact details can be found on the Ascott Martyrs website.