Catching up on a month of incredible and inspirational events starting with the return of May Day Festival Of Solidarity on Sunday May 1st.

Two years ago our traditional home, the Old School House in Barnsley, fell victim to Lockdown and we feared that was the end of the festival of music, poetry and politics put together by Tony Wright and myself. But new owners renovated the place and were keen to have us back, and I am so glad they were.

What a fantastic day.

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The venue was rammed from the first minute, and every one of the artists and speakers absolutely SMASHED it.

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We got blinding sets from Del Scott Miller, Johnny Campbell, Parson’s Lot, Naomi Bedford and Paul Simmonds, Steve White and the Protest Family, The Wakes, Jess Silk and Headsticks; and I massively enjoyed a big singalong campfire set to close the night.

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We had fantastic speeches from Joyce Marshall for Hull Unity Shop, John Dunn for Orgreave Truth and Justice Campaign, John Stewart for RMT and Mick Lanaghan for the Hatfield Main Heritage Association, and our comperes, Karl and Red Rosa from Poetry On The Picket Line were brilliant. We raised £250 for OTJC and £150 for We Shall Overcome too, so a MASSIVE thank you to everyone who travelled from all over this island to support us and put May Day Festival Of Solidarity back on the map with a bang.

Next year is already booked.

Can’t wait.