1960

Some 1,000 people heard Jim Griffiths MP call for a charter of rights for workers.

1962

Mr Crossman MP and Harold Collinson spoke.

1963

Arthur Jordon was sacked by the NUAW for his political views. Fred Cole took over the organisation.

Guy Barnet MP and Edwin Gooch spoke.

1964

Fred Peart MP spoke.

1965

Fred Peart MP, Minister of Agriculture, spoke.

1966

Michael Foot MP and Harold Collinson, General Secretary NUAAW, spoke.

Fred Cole, NUAW Dorest Org shows Michael Foot the cottages

1967

Gwyneth Dunwoody MP and Bert Hazell, President NUAAW spoke.

1968

James Callaghan MP, Home Secretary, called for stronger links between the Labour Government and the unions. Lord Wright, TUC President, had to cope with hecklers.

1969

Oliver Trevett as Vice-Chair of the Dorset County Committee opened the meeting with George Woodcock, General Secretary TUC.

1970

Vic Feather, General Secretary TUC, was heckled by unofficial strikers from Devon including Ottermill Switchgear. Reg Bottini, General Secretary NUAAW called for £18 a week for farm workers.

1971

Harold Wilson, Labour Leader, spoke.

1972

Barbara Castle was introduced as Labour’s “pin-up girl” by Les Shears, Dorset NUAAW Chair. The Rally condemned the jailing of dockers.

1973

Jack Jones, General Secretary TGWU and Bert Hazell, President NUAAW, celebrated the victory of Chelsea Quilt workers from Barnstaple.

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  Harold Wilson on the platform in 1971

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1974

Michael Foot MP, Minister for Employment, spoke.

1975

Dennis Healey, Chancellor of the Exchequer, spoke.

Dennis Healey speaks in 1975

1976

Norman Willis of the TUC spoke.

1977

Pickets at Grunwick were headline news. Shirley Williams MP, Minister for Education, was heckled as she called for moderation in pay demands. Bert Hazel called for a 50% pay rise for farm workers to give them £60 a week.

1978

John Silkin MP, Minister of Agriculture and Jack Boddy, General Secretary NUAAW, spoke.

1979

Len Murray, TUC General Secretary, attacked the Thatcher government’s spending cuts. The press described the 5,000 strong rally as the “biggest ever”.