AN AUTHOR researching the history of the Tolpuddle Martyrs, hailed as the fathers of the modern trade union movement, is claiming a major discovery.

Historians have struggled for decades to pinpoint where the Loveless family home was in the Purbeck village.

George Loveless is credited with leading the outlawed agricultural workers’ society in the 1830s.

But now Poole historian Dr Andrew Norman is convinced he knows the site of this early hotbed of union activity – and the cottage is still standing today.

In a 1934 interview with a Mrs Hammett, believed to be a niece of one of the martyrs, she said the Loveless’ cottage had been pulled down.

However, using historical data and early maps, Dr Norman believes he’s made a startling discovery.

“There is, indeed, a property at the place in question – so-called Pixies Cottage – an ancient, listed building,” he says “It is, therefore, proved beyond reasonable doubt, that this was where the Loveless family lived, and that Mrs Hammett was mistaken in believing that their cottage had been pulled down.”

Pixies Cottage is in Main Street, Tolpuddle, not far from the villages’ martyrs museum.

The martyrs – a group of farm labourers – were sentenced to seven years in the Australian penal colonies after swearing a secret oath to an organisation protesting against low wages.

Today Tolpuddle hosts an annual festival, attracting thousands of trade union members from around the world.

Martyrs museum spokesman and regional secretary of the South West Trades Union Congress, Nigel Costly, said: “I enjoyed reading the book and found it interesting that Andrew thinks he has located George Loveless’ home.

“The story of the martyrs is, of course, a fascinating and inspiring tale, and discoveries like this ensure the legend keeps on growing.”

Dr Norman’s book is titled The Story of George Loveless and the Tolpuddle Martyrs.