Chesterfield's annual May Day Gala and Rally is taking place at the weekend - but this year it's going online

The yearly march and rally, which has taken place in the town every year since 1978, usually sees hundreds attend and march through the centre and listen to political speeches.

But this year, due to the coronavirus pandemic, organisers have taken the decision to stream the event through their Facebook page.

James Eaden, President of Chesterfield Trade Union Council (TUC), which organises the event, said: “Like all other public events, we had to cancel this year’s May Day march and rally.

“But we are determined, in these difficult times, to make sure that the key message of May Day, of solidarity, equality and internationalism go out across our community loud and clear.

“So on Saturday, May 2 at 11am, the time when our May Day march was due to set off we will be steaming our May Day event to bring together the best of May Days past and bring a great line-up of speakers, and music from the bands that we had booked to play in New Square.

“And next year on the Bank Holiday Monday, May 3, 2021, we will be back on the streets of Chesterfield.”

Key speakers this year will include Chesterfield MP Toby Perkins, Frances O’Grady, General Secretary of the TUC, Steve Turner, Assistant General Secretary of UNITE, and Matt Wrack, General Secretary of the FBU.

You can follow proceedings by clicking here.

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