This year, the National Trust launched People’s Landscapes, a year-long programme of events inviting people to look beyond the beauty of the countryside to discover the hidden histories within.

The National Trust invited leading British artist Bob and Roberta Smith to create Paint Freedom, an exhibition in response to the story of the Tolpuddle Martyrs and the Tolpuddle Tree. For Bob, whose work often reflects ideas about art and human rights, this is a personal issue. He has painted portraits of his peers, international artists who have been censored or imprisoned because of their creativity. Bob also worked with members of the public to create artworks exploring the power and consequence of ordinary people coming together to make their voices heard.

You will find all of these portraits of contemporary ‘Tolpuddle Martyrs’, displayed throughout Shire Hall.

Find out more about the People’s Landscapes project here.