The local newspapers contained many reports on the Labourers’ Union and meetings in the villages, which were often reprinted from the union’s own papers: “The Labourers’ Union Chronicle’’and “The English Labourer”.

Bedfordshire Mercury 18 May 1872

Beeston. The Agricultural Labourers assembled on Monday at the above place to agitate for an increase of wages and we hear that the proceedings were of a riotous character. It is high time the farmers of the county should meet …

Bedfordshire Mercury 15 June 1872

In connexion with the South Beds, and Herts. Agricultural Labourers’ Union a meeting was held on Thursday evening week at No-Man’s-Land, a common about three miles distant from St. Albans … There was an enthusiastic gathering of about 500 labourers … it appeared that the rate of wages in Hertfordshire is from 10s to 12s per week, with a few exceptions. A farm labourer named Joseph Allen stated that until lately he had been paid lisa week only, but now received 12s; of that amount he had to expend 4s in rent, firing and candles, leaving 8s for the maintenance of himself and a numerous family during the week. He reckoned that his wages allowed 2½d a day for each member of his family to live on … In harvest time, however, he managed to earn a few shillings extra, which enabled him to purchase some clothing for the children … A resolution pledging the labourers to join the Union … was carried amid deafening cheers.

Bedfordshire Mercury 10 August 1872

Biggleswade. Harvest operations have commenced in this neighbourhood … The crops generally are very good. The question of labour is this year a serious matter, and from what we hear there is a difficulty to get the reaping done, except at the most exorbitant wages, one pound per acre being asked without hesitation by the labourers.

Bedfordshire Mercury 5 October 1872

Luton. Bedfordshire Agricultural Labourers Union: Demonstration of Labourers. A demonstration of labourers took place at Luton on Wednesday. About a thousand labourers residing around Luton are members of a Union known as the Bedfordshire Agricultural Labourers Union, and they have recently affiliated with the National Union … In the evening a largely attended meeting was held in the Water-Street Plaithall, Henry Wright Esq. of Luton in the chair. He was supported by Mr. Arch, and Mr. Taylor (Secretary of the Union); Mr. Henry Brown, senior, Mr. Butcher of Sharpenhoe, Beds., and the Rev. Mr. Austin . . .