August 2023 Update
Click here for August Newsletter
Volunteer Recruitment
The role of a volunteer is important in the structure of Tolpuddle Old Chapel Trust (TOCT). TOCT is a
volunteer run organisation committed to the preservation of Tolpuddle Old Chapel, a Grade II* vernacular
building with strong links to the Dorchester Labourers (also known as the Tolpuddle Martyrs).
We want to share our building with as many people as possible. To do this we need to run a diverse range of
events and activities to help us generate income to ensure our building stays accessible to future generations.
Old Chapel Construction Updates
TOCT produces weekly updates about how our renovation works to Tolpuddle Old Capel are progressing. These are available here on our website and on Twitter – @TolpuddleOCT,
We are grateful to TOCT volunteer, Ian Cray, for his splendid two minute videos:
Radical Objects
Congratulations to TOCT Trustee, Philip Martin, for the publication of his research paper.Radical Objects is a long-running and established series within History Workshop Online (HWO) – a digital magazine that seeks to continue the spirit of the History Workshop movement. Click here to see Philip’s article
PROJECT UPDATE
Great Progress on Old Chapel Site-Click Here for July_Newsletter.
Alan Gallop RIP
Handing over the Keys
Part 1
Oyez, Oyez, Oyez!
Now hear ye this:
Huff and puff – You won’t blow this house down, Wolfie!
It’s not everyday that 3 architects turn up in one go!
Architects, Paul Richold, Robert Battersby & Tori Wales were all on site at Tolpuddle Old Chapel last week to present brick samples in keeping with the 200 year old original Old Chapel walls. www.architecton.co.uk
Exquisite Watercolour
What a lovely surprise to receive this exquisite watercolour of Tolpuddle Old Chapel. Dr Rebecca Warren, historian & artist, skilfully captures the essence of the overgrown ‘At Risk’ listed building as it was in 2006.
George Loveless Revisited
As TOCT approaches the start of works to renovate Tolpuddle Old Chapel, it is exciting to know that one of our Trustees, Professor Philip Martin, is discovering new information about the life of George Loveless, Wesleyan Preacher and an original Trustee of the 1818 chapel.
Chip off the Old Block
The choice of the final cob render brings us nearer to starting our renovation and building work on Tolpuddle Old Chapel.
Thanks to Tobias Carleton-Pragnell of Black Pheasant Consultancy – www.blackpheasant.co.uk, for providing the earth render samples.
Moving On
A sincere THANK YOU to our architect, George Tasker, who is moving to a new post after six years working with our project. Together with Paul Richold of Architecton, he has made a major contribution to Tolpuddle Old Chapel Trust. www.architecton.co.uk
What Lies Beneath?
Many thanks to Paul Cheetham, Senior Lecturer in Archaeological Science at Bournemouth University for visiting Tolpuddle Old Chapel to carry out an archaeological geophysical survey on our site. This is an exciting opportunity to find out what lies under the ground at this historic site.
Matching the Cob
Despite the effects of ‘Lockdown’ on our progress, another little piece of the jigsaw puzzle for finding the most suitable cob render to use to renovate the walls of Tolpuddle Old Chapel falls into place.
Thanks to Tobias Carleton-Prangnell and Historic England for this input.
Revd Stephanie Jenner
TOCT sends a big thank you to Stephanie for her seven years of service as a TOCT trustee.
Be a Heritage Detective
Lights of Hope
A lot has been going on recently as shown on the videos below:
September – ‘A stitch in time, saves nine!’
Thanks you to Conservation Builder, Nigel Jaggard, for his prompt response which saved our lovely double Roman tiled roof. The tiles were manufactured by Colthurst & Co of Bridgewater in the late 19th century.
October – Weeping Willow
Visitors to Tolpuddle Old Chapel are used to seeing the lovely willow tree next to the chapel.
Sadly, the tree became dangerous and the owners arranged for it to be pollarded.
This ensures safety on the public highway as well as protecting the roof of the old chapel.
November – Chalk It Up
Tolpuddle Old Chapel was built in 1818 by ‘The Dorsetshire Labourers’ (Tolpuddle Martyrs).
This week two ‘Modern Day Dorsetshire Labourers’, Nigel Jaggard & Luke Mayo, extracted chalk by hand to make cob blocks for the repair of the walls of the old chapel.
December 2020 Update
Click here for December Newsletter
We’re getting there!
We’re getting there! Our recently extracted chalk has arrived at Heritage Cob & Lime in Bideford.
Thanks to conservation builder Nigel Jaggard for arranging transport. Look out for update videos of the manufacture into cob blocks.
Making the chalk blocks – Part 1
Making the chalk blocks – Part 2
Making the chalk blocks – Part 3
Making the chalk blocks – Part 4
Making the chalk blocks – Part5
Delivering blocks – Pt 1
Delivering blocks – Pt 2
Other News:
October 2020
What a lovely photo taken by Emma Greenway of Historic England on a whistle-stop visit to Tolpuddle.

Emma’s comment: “Pit stop at Tolpuddle and finally get to nosey at the @TolpuddleOCT Old Chapel. What a fabulous project and how fantastic it will be to see it come off the At Risk Register soon… “
Virtual Tolpuddle Festival 2020
July 2020 Update
Click here for July newsletter
Update Easter 2020
Jan/Feb 2020


Planning Progress Report


Blessed are the Meek

Urgent repair needed

Site Visit 11/11/2019
Local Community poet…
…….celebrates TOCT funding success with a poem for National Poetry Day.
Good News
Click below for some very good news
Click here to see Slideshow of 2019 Tolpuddle Martyrs Festival
A Big Thank You to our Funders – March 2019
Click here to view latest information:
- Tolpuddle Festival update – July 2019
- New door
- New windows
- TOCT May 2019 Newsletter
- April 2019 update
- TOCT March 2019 Newsletter
- TOCT September Newsletter
- TOCT July 2018 Newsletter[36682]
- Latest Project Information – Saving the Martyrs’ Legacy – July 2018
- Tolpuddle Festival 2017 – Activity Evaluation
- TOCT March 2017 Newsletter
- TOCT January 2017 Newsletter
Latest Donantion
A big thank you to Meyts Structural Consulting for generously donating £450 to TOCT,
Every donation, big or small, helps TOCT reach our target and save the Old Chapel.
DEADLINE. END OF APRIL!
We are waiting for news from 5 Charitable Trusts.
EVERY LITTLE HELPS!
Thank You.
TOCT Trustees.
Chapel 200 year anniversary
Local folk singer inspired by Chapel
Click below to hear Rick Potter play his composition inspired by the Chapel:
Artist’s surprise visit to Tolpuddle
Liam O’Farrell is a well known artist based in Somerset, He paints in watercolour and oils and loves history and architecture.
He visited Tolpuddle Old Chapel on Bank Holiday Monday 2018 and painted this picture.
Liam has kindly donated the original to TOCT
Liam’s work can be viewed at www.liamofarrell.com
and on Twitter: @liams_art
“A fine sunny day to paint the beautiful Tolpuddle Village in Dorset – the origin of the Tolpuddle martyrs and British Trade unionism. This is the old Methodist chapel.”
BBC Radio Solent Breakfast in Dorset – 10th April 2018
David Willey from the Tolpuddle Old Chapel Trust says it’s a significant building.