TUC issues top tips for marchers ahead of Saturday's march and rally in London

date: 18 October 2012

embargo: For immediate release

The TUC is today (Thursday) publishing guidance for first-time marchers ahead of its A Future That Works march and rally in central London this Saturday (20 October).

With over 250 coaches booked to come down to the capital - from Abergavenny to York - the TUC wants marchers to be prepared, so the day is successful and as enjoyable as possible for everyone taking part.

Tens of thousands of people are expected to march the nearly three mile route from Embankment to Hyde Park, looked after by hundreds of stewards.

The TUC's top tip for first-time marchers - which seasoned marchers may also find useful - are:

Tell everyone about it Bring along your family, friends and colleagues to share the day. Having good company along always makes for a fun day out, and spreading the word will help boost the size of the march.

Wear comfortable shoes The march route is nearly three miles long - and if it's been raining, Hyde Park can get very muddy - so wear flat shoes, trainers or boots.

Be prepared for the weather It will be quite a long day and the weather can be unpredictable. You might need a coat, jumper, hat and gloves. If you are a public servant and normally wear a uniform, you could wear it on the day, unless that will get you into trouble.

Keep hydrated Bring a bottle of water and other soft drinks to keep you refreshed. Cafes and kiosks in Hyde Park will also be open as usual.

Don't go hungry Bring a packed lunch and snacks as the march and rally take place over lunchtime. If you're marching towards the back, it might be nearer teatime before you get to the park.

Bring a rucksack A rucksack or a bag you can wear across your body are useful for carrying things easily - and also leave your hands free for flags. Don't forget to pack any inhalers or medicine you usually take.

Enjoy the sights The march route will take you from the Embankment, up Whitehall and past Trafalgar Square, along Piccadilly and into Hyde Park. It's an opportunity to see London in a different way without the traffic. Don't worry about getting lost. It'll be very obvious where the march is going, and there will be stewards every few hundred metres to help out.

Share the moment If you've a smartphone, why not share pictures and updates online as it happens? Twitter users can follow @futurethatworks, and there's even a special phone App for the march, which you can get from the march website www.afuturethatworks.org

Look after other people Treat everyone with respect and look out for anyone who needs help or assistance on the way round.

Arrive on time and know your way home Be patient, the march will be leaving the assembly point from 12noon but depending on where you're starting from it may take a while to leave the Embankment. If you're coming by public transport there are engineering works affecting a number of underground lines so make sure you plan your route in advance. It's best to think about coming later rather than earlier, and try to join the march from the rear - think of tube stations like Blackfriars, Southwark and St Paul's. If you're coming on a coach make sure you know where the pick-up point is and what time the coach will be leaving. Check your route back via underground and overground train stations from Hyde Park.

The TUC, along with Guy Atkins of Goldsmiths University, who was behind the Save our Placards campaign, has also launched a best banner or placard competition. The Make our March contest - judged by artist Bob and Roberta Smith, comedian Josie Long and the Mirror's Kevin Maguire - is offering five £100 prizes for the most creative or funniest contribution to the 20 October march and rally.

Make the March is asking people to share pictures of their protest art beforehand to get everyone talking about the importance of 20 October. All material uploaded to the Make the March website will have a chance of winning. It's not just placards, there'll also be a prize for the best graphic or video uploaded. For more details of the contest, have a look at www.makethemarch.org.uk

TUC General Secretary Brendan Barber said: 'The evidence is mounting that austerity is failing. More than 2.5 million people are out of work, a further three million are not working enough hours to make ends meet and wages have been falling every month for the last three years.

'Saturday is a great opportunity for people across England and Wales to add their voice to the growing chorus of people who want an end to austerity and a fairer, stronger economic alternative.

'We are working closely with the police and other authorities to make a safe, well-stewarded and family-friendly march. People from all walks of life - from unemployed youngsters to seasoned campaigners - will be marching together for a future that works. I hope you will join me on the march on Saturday.'

NOTES TO EDITORS:

- Journalists looking for detailed information about media arrangements for the rally and march should contact the TUC press office.

- All TUC press releases can be found at www.tuc.org.uk

- Follow the TUC on Twitter: @tucnews

Contacts:

Media enquiries:
Liz Chinchen T: 020 7467 1248 M: 07778 158175 E: media@tuc.org.uk
Rob Holdsworth T: 020 7467 1372 M: 07717 531150 E: rholdsworth@tuc.org.uk
Alex Rossiter T: 020 7467 1337 M: 07887 572130 E: arossiter@tuc.org.uk