|
Post by Rob Ray on Apr 15, 2005 15:55:18 GMT
Rob, I tend to agree. I think a "Northern page" in Freedom would prove to be unworkable. Bryan is editor of Northern Voices. I'm only on the editorial board of The Cunningham Amendment which is for nice anarchists. Not for people like Brian, Derek or Barry! Be Good. PeterTCA
|
|
|
Post by bryan on Apr 19, 2005 21:19:32 GMT
Rob you asked about the Manchester electricians. They went into dispute in May 2003 when 4 of their number were victimised for trade union membership on the ONE PICCADILLY SITE. Another seven came out in solidarity.
Their dispute with their employers Daf electrical contunued for over a year. Both the northern anarchists around the NAN and particularly the MANCHESTER SOCIAL FORUM supported them. The SOCIAL FORUM AND TAMESIDE TRADE UNION COUNCIL has held four meetings for them and raised quite a bit of money. The last meeting we were involved in was this April 7th.
The dispute is over, but the final part of their Tribunal - the REMEDIES HEARING took place last week on the 6th and 7th, April. All over, but we still await a final decision on how much they will get.
The significance of this case is that it is exposing the use of the 'BLACKLIST' in Manchester by certain firms. we await the final decision with some excitement, because it could have far reaching consequences for the JOINT INDUSTRY BOARD.
The best thing to do is that either I send you a copy of the NORTH WEST COWBOY: the bulletin of the rank & file electricians. Or have a look at the 'UNSCRUPULOUS EMPLOYERS THREAD on the Casualisation site were the report 'Winning with the Manchester Electricians ~ Beating the Blacklist' is displayed.
|
|
|
Post by bryan on Apr 19, 2005 23:15:08 GMT
NORTHERN VOICES.
NORTHERN VOICES aims to come out 2/3 times a year. It is a 48 page A5 size booklet. It sells at FREEDOM BOOKSHOP and has been going since June 2003. It is I suppose more in the tradition of the alternative publication than the political group paper.
Because NV comes out twice yearly it has to concentrate on stories with a longish shelf life. Local development and planning disputes like PICCADILLY ROAD in South West Burnley are ideal, as is the SAVE SWINTON FIELDS CAMPAIGN in Salford. The arrest of Martin Gleeson (TUC Secretary) in Oldham may work for us. The Rochdale anti-asbestos campaign - SAVE SPODDEN VALLEY - and naturally, the Manchester electricians which NORTHERN VOICES can use to some effect, because they are stories which will run and run.
Any of the above could, I suspect, be used effectively by FREEDOM selectively picking items from them and using them to show the viberance of the NORTH WEST. Without mentioning the BURNLEY LETS event there have been three events in the last couple of weeks that show we have turned a corner:
i) The Shock of the New meeting with the Catalan anarchist & critic of the city speaker - Eduard Masjuan; electrician Steve Acheson; and local campaigners Jason Addy and Hilda Palmer, and chaired by NORTHERN VOICES.
ii) The BURNLEY NAN CONFERENCE.
iii) The MANCHESTER PEOPLES ASSEMBLY ~ organised by the Manchester Social Forum; last Saturday at which hundreds attended despite being boycotted by the SWP and WORKERS POWER.
Last weekend at the Greater Manchester Association TUCs a plan was hatched for a festival to celebrate the 70th aniversary of the Spanish Civil War in July 2006. Two anarchists will be on the TUC organising sub-committee in Manchester.
In June 2005, at the Trade Union Council Conference in Liverpool a motion condemning blacklisting will be moved by me as Secretary of Tameside TUC.
Following the success of the Shock of the New meeting another meeting is being considered inviting Sue Machin the Barrister in the Manchester electricians case and possibly another local solicitor on asbos.
In all of these events NORTHERN VOICES will have a role. In all of these events NORTHERN VOICES will be making the libertarian message relevant. It already sells in some 60 newsagents mostly to the West of the Pennines.
|
|
|
Post by Rob ray on May 9, 2005 9:59:44 GMT
Ah sod sorry didn't check back here after the first couple of days, didn't see this.
|
|
|
Post by bryan on May 28, 2005 6:25:05 GMT
I think the feeling up here among Burnley anarchists & the Northern Voices affinity group regarding Rob Ray's contributions to this Forum is that he was genuinely trying to resolve some of the issues regarding our criticisms of FREEDOM.
Naturally the Northern Voices group was more sceptical, because we have heard most of it before from Toby.
It is therefore, with delight that we in NORTHERN VOICES welcome the most recent issue of FREEDOM we have recieved (May 7th) which shows that at last they have noticed the North. The headline runs: '400,000 HOMES TO BE DESTROYED' & reports on the government's HOUSING RENEWAL PATHFINDER schemes.
THIS LEADING ARTICLE IS SOURCED FROM 'Corporate Watch' (www.corporatewatch.org.uk) and shows how the PATHFINDER SCHEMES 'will demolish 400,000 houses, and thus involve the eviction of thousands of families, mostly private and RSL tenants, and also home owners.'
It says: 'The housing charity, SHELTER, has estimated that 167,000 currently affordable homes will be demolished and "thousands of families may be pushed out of buying or privately renting their home which could have contributed to homelessness rising twice as fast in the North of England than in the south.'
This problem, which may be only the latest bout of municipal vandalism, was addressed at the Manchester meeting 'THE SHOCK OF THE NEW' organised by Tameside TUC and Manchester Social Forum, & chaired by the journal Northern Voices. It must represent a problem for areas of Burnley like Piccadilly Road as well as Greater Manchester, not to mention the Victorian terraces of Liverpool now threatened by John Prescott's bulldozers in the bout of tarting-up for its new status as the CITY OF CULTURE.
|
|
|
Post by michele cryer on May 29, 2005 22:59:16 GMT
Great news Bryan...glad to see relations between The Burnley Voice and Freedom are improving!! Thanks for the article Freedom...
|
|
|
Post by bryan on Jun 9, 2005 6:34:55 GMT
EXCLUSIVE TO BURNLEY VOICE:
Northern Voices' Editor goes on trial tomorrow at Rochdale Magistrates' Court. He is accused of scratching a Renault Scenic motor vehicle, without lawful excuse, while tething a goat.
This is a serious offence comrades! It falls under category of the Criminal Damage Act (1971).
We don't know if the journal NORTHERN VOICES will be selling tickets for this event. But no doubt donations to the journal would be greatfully received.
|
|
|
Post by Mitch on Jun 9, 2005 11:12:47 GMT
EXCLUSIVE TO BURNLEY VOICE: Northern Voices' Editor goes on trial tomorrow at Rochdale Magistrates' Court. He is accused of scratching a Renault Scenic motor vehicle, without lawful excuse, while tething a goat. This is a serious offence comrades! It falls under category of the Criminal Damage Act (1971). We don't know if the journal NORTHERN VOICES will be selling tickets for this event. But no doubt donations to the journal would be greatfully received. Michele and Mitch would like two tickets please. ;D
|
|
|
Post by michele cryer on Jun 10, 2005 2:43:25 GMT
Hehehe...hope the photographer gets the goat's good side in the pix teehee
|
|
|
Post by Aeneus on Jun 10, 2005 8:16:10 GMT
PROPOSED NORTHERN ANARCHIST NETWORK CONFERENCE IN THE WREKIN.
To be hosted by members of Wrekin Stop The War & Black History group. ( The remnant of the McGowan Campaign.)
In order not to incite speculation that our hosting the conference is the result of some sort of a coup in the NAN, we wood need to have Brian's name as - NAN Convenor - somewhere on the letter heads.
1.First Session. A. Introductions. B. reports. 1. Group Activities. 2. Campaign Activities. 3. Publications. [ Pamhplets,Papers & Websites.]
Session. 10 30am till 12.00. then Lunch.
2.Second Session. Civil Liberties.
3. Third Session. Industrial Topics. 3.00 to 5.15pm.
4. Fourth Session. Discussion of relationships with other organisations. i.e. AFB. IWW. and the RSN.
These minutes are simply proposals and will be filled out at a later date. They are simply for information.
|
|
|
Post by michele cryer on Jun 10, 2005 11:20:14 GMT
Can somebody tell me where Wrekin is please?
Sounds like it could be an interesting event/day out for us Burnley folk.
|
|
|
Post by bryan on Jun 13, 2005 4:05:48 GMT
The Wrekin is near Wellington which is near Telford, in Shropshire.
|
|
|
Post by bryan on Jun 13, 2005 6:28:52 GMT
GOAT CASE IN ROCHDALE MAGISTRATES' COURT (fRIDAY 10/6/05)
Goat husbandry in Lancashire can be, it seems, more perilous than gun-running for the IRA! The Editor of NORTHERN VOICES appeared before their Worships in the Magistrates Court of Friday last, He stood accused of "deliberately, or recklessly, scratching a Renault 'Scenic'," in the former mill town 'village of Castleton' in Rochdale on Monday 13th, September 2004.
It seems he had been tethering a goat at or around 10am on that day on some rough land nearby some Council garages, when the complainant - an Old Age Pensioner called 'Larry' - went to get his car out out of his garage. There had been some history of altercations between the two men and arguments over the goat. Larry had complained about the droppings from the goat getting on the tyres of his car & admitted in Court he had complained about the goat to various authorities: it was claimed he had been involved over the years in complaints to such bodies as RSPCA, the Rochdale Animal Welfare Officer, a local residents' association, the local authority housing office, the Environmental Health Dept. and the Land & Property Dept. He had also complained to neighbours.
Mr 'Larry' had also, it was claimed in Court, gone onto private land where the goat was kept from time to time in the past, perhaps, it seemed to be suggested, to gather evidence for such complaints. On Sept. 13th, the Editor of NORTHERN VOICES had finished tethering the goat and gone back to the backyard or corral where the goat is housed & discovered the wrought iron gate which was pushed inwards. This was strange because the goat in its rush to get out of the yard pushes the gate outwards. There was no wind that day, and in any event because the top hinge is slightly loose it means that the latch catches on the wall & prevents the gate from easily being pushed inwards. The goat herder editor concluded, rightly or wrongly, that Larry had again been in the yard.
He then went up to remonstrate with Larry. Standing outside the garage he shouted: 'Have you been in the yard?' The car engine was running & Larry sitting in the driver's seat could see the goat herder standing a few feet behind the car through his rear view mirror. He papped his horn then before reversing backwards. It seems that by doing this he may have connected with the goat herder.
The goat herder/ editor claimed the car reversed back at his 'at some speed'. He said, at the time, he had two pairs of electricians' pliers in his hands which he uses for tething the goat. The goat herder said he might have caught the car when he jerked his hands up in surprise as the vehicle reversed towards him.
Larry admitted in Court that he had in the past had arguments about the goat and said: 'I lose my rag a lot'. When asked by the Defence solicitor if he thught this was a good thing he said: 'In my case no'. He used the term 'tormenting the goat' in Court, but it was not clear what he meant by this. He agreed that he had reversed his car at the goat herder/editor. Larry said to the Defence solicitor: 'What did you expect me to do; wait there sitting in the car all day?'
When Larry talked of 'tormenting the goat' and 'saying there is no harm in that', the Prosecution objected to the Defence line of questioning asking if his client's character was being questioined. He said that if the character of the Prosecution witness was being examined the he had the right to bring in the character of the goat herder.
The Court was then emptied while legal arguments ensued. over the presentation of evidence.
It was agreed by the Defence & Prosecution that the character of both the goat herder & Larry could be revealed in Court and the case proceeded.
When the goat herder Editor of Northern Voices went into the witness box he went throgh a full account of his previous convictions form 1960s to the present day. His involvement in the Ban the Bomb Movement and his convictions for that; his joining with the Philosopher Bertran Russell and the anarchist artist Augustus John on sit downs with Committee of 100; his refusing to pay a fine and going to prison at Strangways in the 1960s because that that time he thought that was the right thing to do; the events surrouding the breakdown of his marriage and having custody of his eldest son in the 1970s; his arrest for Breach of the Peace on Victoria Station in 1997 in the company of 3 goats and a Irish Gypsy; his arrest while photographing a demonstration on behalf of the unemployed at the Oldham headquarters of the Labour MP, Phil Woollas, shortly before the 1991 General Election.
Early on in these revelations when the urban goat herder was giving details of his convictions in the peace movement, the Prosecution realised he had opened a can of worms which was damaging his case and tried to stop the revelations. But to no avail the Defence insisted on this portrayal of the goat herder as a political activitist and a journalist with Northern Voices.
Later the Prosecution got up to try to limit the damage that had been done by these revations which had backfired on him. Red faced he began to question the goat herder about the scratch on the car he said that if the car had been driven back at him it wouldn't have formed a scratch on the boot door but 'a dot'. The Prosecution had to use a photo provided by the Defence & actual snapped by the goat herder himself in January 2005, to support this contention. There seemed to be a longish diagonal scratch and two other scratches.
The goat herder disputed this while not admitting for certain that he had actually made any of the scratches. In desperation the Prosecution reached for a copy of NORTHERN VOICES, also provided by the Defence. Opening NV4 at pages 12 & 13, he asked about the photo on page 12. The Prosecutor asked: "Who is the person in the photo on page 12, above the caption: 'Nowt so queer as folk: Northern saying'?" The goat herder replied 'Larry' - the witness for the 'Prosecution'. And then he ask: "Do you like or dislike Larry?". To which the defendent replied: "I don't like or dislike him, I just know him".
The defendent then pointed out that though he was Editor of Northern Voices he hadn't written the offending article and that it was written by a Dr. Les May. The Prosecution then read a paragragh from the article 'Nowt so queer as folk': "...our relationship with the car is an ambivalent one. We all want a car, but we don't like the fact that some roads are used as 'rat runs' to avoid a congested roundabout. Nor do we like those drivers who drive much to fast for safety."
The implication of this line of questioning seemed to be that the Defendant, who said he had never had a car, dislike the automobile to such a degree that he might go round scratching cars for the fun of it.
In the end the Court dismissed the case and returned a verdict of 'Not guilty'
NORTHERN VOICES IS AVAILABLE IN SOME BURNLEY NEWSAGENTS & AT BADGER BOOKS.
|
|
|
Post by Barry Woodling on Jun 14, 2005 12:30:14 GMT
The proposed agenda for the next NAN Conference in Shropshire seems particularly interesting. Sessions on civil liberties and industial issues are very topical with the planned introduction of Identity Cards in the UK and the continuing social and industrial struggles in South America. I am really looking forward to the conference.
Barry Woodling Northern Anarchist Network
|
|
|
Post by michele cryer on Jun 15, 2005 0:53:16 GMT
Same here Barry...I think me and Mitch are hoping to get a car load together to visit the conference...
|
|
|
Post by fred on Jun 26, 2005 9:42:22 GMT
NORTHERN ANARCHIST NETWORK.
17TH, JUNE 2005.
Dear Friends,
Please find a provisional agenda for the quarterly Northern anarchist network meeting on the 23rd, of July, 2005. We hope that you nwill be able to join us.
This meeting is being held in Wellington, Shropshire after an invitation at our last meeting from members of the peace group,Wrekin Stop War! Shropshire is somewhat further south than is usual for the NAN, but as our comrades from Shropshire have joined our network, feeling little affiliation with the South and being way north of the ,divide,' we thought a meeting here may broaden our membership.
Queries, apologies, questions or points for discussion can be passed on by calling me on the number below or sent directly to Wrekin Stop Wars secretary,Rachel at 'wrekinstopwaradmin@blueyonder.co.uk' Also contact Rachel for directions from the bus, train or road routes to Wellington. At present , we are meeting in Hadley just outside Wellington,) but the oraganiser of this is also trying to book another venue in Wellington centre,(nearer to public transport and parking). The venue will be confirmed at least a week before the meeting.
Yours.
Brian .
Brian Bamford. Convenor Northern Anarchist Network.
Tel.No, 01706 861793
|
|
|
Post by fred on Jun 26, 2005 10:05:16 GMT
NORTHERN ANARCHIST NETWORK AGENDA.
23rd, July Meeting.
Provisional Agenda.
Please contact the NAN Convenor to discuss any changes or additions.
10. 30am Start.
Session 1. Introduction. 10.30/ 11.30.)
1. Introductions.
2. Reports.
Group Activities. Campaign Activities.
Session 2. Anarchy and the Environment. (11.30/ 1.00.) (Hopefully with a speaker from Earth First.)
Lunch-1:00- 2: 00
Session 3. Campaign for Justice (2.00- 3:30.)
With speaker Clifton McGowan, Chair of local Black History Group and organiser of the 'Justice for Jason and Errol McGowan Campaign'. We also hope that Mrs Ahma Babar's wife will join us and give a talk on his detention and possible extradition to the U.S.
Session 4. Industrial. (3:30/ 5:00).
With Speaker, Dave Chapple.
Session 5. Conclusions. (5:00 / 6:30) Open Discussion and debate.
|
|
|
Post by michele cryer on Jun 26, 2005 14:50:27 GMT
Thanks for this info Fred...
|
|
|
Post by Barry Woodling on Jul 19, 2005 11:49:05 GMT
The Northern Anarchist Network meeting takes place in Wellington, Shropshire on Saturday 23 July at 10.30am. The venue is in the centre of Wellington in a hall just off Queen Street. It is just 2 minutes from the railway station.
Further details from Rachel at wrekinstopwaradmin@blueyonder.co.uk
Barry Woodling Northern Anarchist Network
|
|
|
Post by Mitch on Jul 24, 2005 16:39:40 GMT
This conference on Saturday was superb, and really enjoyed going down with Eileen and Fred (minor detour on the way down - Titter).
I'm going to write up something about it when I've had time to digest it all - hopefully we should hear more from Bryan (currently off-line for a short period) and Barry also.
The speaker was most interesting, and the hosts excellent.
Many thanks for it, and more comments anon.
Best Mitch
|
|
|
Post by Barry Woodling on Jul 26, 2005 13:51:14 GMT
Mitch was absolutely right the Nortern Anarchist Network conference held in the centre of Wellington, Shropshire was excellent. Supporters of the Network attended from West Wales,Cumbria, Leeds, Bury, Rochdale and Swinton as well as Telford and Wellington with about 20 people present. The decision to hold the meeting in Wellington was indeed innovative and proved resoundingly successful.
The conference was hosted by anarchists from Wrekin Stop War and they proved exceptionally friendly hosts and made everyone feel very welcome . Furthermore hot food and drink was available throughout the day.
The morning session commenced with group reports which provided a lot of information about activities and campaigns across the Northern region. Rachel from Wellington then spoke about anarchism and the Environment which covered a wide area including references to the anarchist writer Murray Bookchin, The so called primitivists, Greenpeace, Friends of the Earth, and the Green Party. The central theme of Rachels talk was the importance of environmental justice within the context of social and economic equality. A lively discussion ensued touching on issues such as global warming, nuclear power and population aspects. Rachels presentation was well argued and researched.
The afternoon session was introduced by Dave Chaple a working class militant from Bridgewater in Somerset who gave an interesting account of the trade union movement based on his own experiences in the Post Office where he was involved with at least 16 strikes, of which ten were illegal and none lost. Another interesting discussion ensued around the issue of the role of the trade unions where some differences occurred amongst those present. The significance of anarcho-syndicalist movements within the British and Spanish working classes was also emphasised.
Finally Martin Gilbert from Cumbria presented a short paper entitled "Where do we go from here?" in which he referred to certain problems encountered by previous NANs in attracting wider participation.
Every discussion took place in a very friendly atmosphere with the conspicuous absence of backbiting and personal acrimony which have been a feature of past meetings.
The Next NAN will hopefully take place in Newcastle Upon Tyne on Saturday November 12, 05. Contacts are being established with contacts in Newcastle to facilitate this meeting. Failing this Hebden Bridge, Yorkshire is a fall back venue.
Further info and details about the NAN from me at my e-mail address :- barrywoodling@yahoo.co.uk.
Barry Woodling Northern Anarchist Network
|
|
|
Post by michele cryer on Jul 26, 2005 15:46:28 GMT
Thanks for that brilliant report Barry...I'm pleased to hear that everything went okay and hope that I can attend the next NAN conference.
|
|
|
Post by Mitch on Jul 27, 2005 13:39:56 GMT
Hi Barry,
Many thanks for that superb summary of a superb conference.
Time has been a bit tight this week with activity around the Lets summer festival this weekend!!
I've been thinking about many of the issues raised in this conference, particularly issues in Dave's talk around a current climate in trade unions which would welcome anarchist input and ideas.
Most interesting - many thanks to Bryan for arranging that speaker.
Also pending from my end is a request to Libcom admin for a NAN subgroup, and email to Mike with some feedback and ideas on his email about where NAN is headed,
Plus most importantly support, letters and emails for Jerry Hicks at Rolls Royce (raised during Dave's talk).
Despite not being convinced by many of Dave's arguments, you still identify with workers' struggle wherever it is.
I also need to have a closer look at the Wrekin website mentioned by Rachel, and send her an email of thanks for a superb conference - excellent food it was I agree.
Bestest Mitch
|
|
|
Post by bryan on Aug 12, 2005 16:45:36 GMT
Just a quick comment on the NAN Conference. Saw Dave Chappel last week in Brigewater. He had a good impression of the Conference overall, but was a bit disappointed that the Conference didn't take up his suggestion of a pamphlet on the railway industry.
I've mentioned this to the people in Shropshire and they have suggested NAN or NORTHERN VOICES could publish such a booklet, if people in the movement with the expertise could put it together. Dave is also keen for the WORKING CLASS HISTORY WEEKEND, which he & I proposed, at the NAN should be a goer. This was endorsed by the NAN Conference. There should be more about this in the months ahead.
|
|
|
Post by Mitch on Aug 16, 2005 16:06:35 GMT
Just a quick comment on the NAN Conference. Saw Dave Chappel last week in Brigewater. He had a good impression of the Conference overall, but was a bit disappointed that the Conference didn't take up his suggestion of a pamphlet on the railway industry. I've mentioned this to the people in Shropshire and they have suggested NAN or NORTHERN VOICES could publish such a booklet, if people in the movement with the expertise could put it together. Dave is also keen for the WORKING CLASS HISTORY WEEKEND, which he & I proposed, at the NAN should be a goer. This was endorsed by the NAN Conference. There should be more about this in the months ahead. Hey up, belated reply, are you back online now? Be happy to help with the booklet - production/layout here if you need it? Need more info on the hows and whats. Also, what was the date for this Working Class History weekend. We are accumulating (mainly from Headless) a large amount of local (Burnley/Nelson) archive of activism - this includes anarchist archive material - so could possibly link in with an archive event locally here. What plans are there so far for this weekend, and is any contact being made with the Working class movement library/Salford to access some of their superb archives? Good to see you back. By the way, wot is all this talk of a jokey pamplet going around. Gwadzooks, honestly. byeee Mitch xx
|
|
|
Post by bryan on Aug 19, 2005 13:52:51 GMT
Mitch, No I'm not really actively on-line yet.
Still waiting to hear more from Dave about the railway workers' booklet.
There is no final date for the weekend as yet. Things should clarify on this in the Autumn.
Spoke to Sal the other night about the Piccadilly Road scene: understand there is a residents' meeting next Wednesday.
Meanwhile the current FREEDOM (Aug 5th) carries a report by John Lawrence on the NAN conference. Looks like Simon & the new regime are delivering their part of the deal.
Did you know Jim had a bad do last weekend? Take good care of him.
bry
|
|
|
Post by Mitch on Aug 19, 2005 16:25:59 GMT
Mitch, No I'm not really actively on-line yet. Still waiting to hear more from Dave about the railway workers' booklet. There is no final date for the weekend as yet. Things should clarify on this in the Autumn. Spoke to Sal the other night about the Piccadilly Road scene: understand there is a residents' meeting next Wednesday. Meanwhile the current FREEDOM (Aug 5th) carries a report by John Lawrence on the NAN conference. Looks like Simon & the new regime are delivering their part of the deal. Did you know Jim had a bad do last weekend? Take good care of him. bry Superb news on Freedom. I have some info on Piccadily Road group to send to you - have your address somewhere, will send through shortly. I know you're busy, but would be cool if you could attend that residents meeting next Wednesday. There is also a planned Lets social in that area, which should hopefully help to bring residents together as well! On Fred, Heedless has been keeping a close eye (more like driving him to further ruin - titter), plus Susan is bobbin over to give him regular massages. ;D We can keep an eye, but Fred and Heedless will just keep on doing stuff - I can't stop that, they care too much you see. Bye for now, off to get my copy of Freedom.
|
|
|
Post by bryan on Sept 9, 2005 16:38:20 GMT
Mitch I got the report stuff on Piccadilly Road on the day Northern Voices 5 went to press. I used as much as I could from what I had & wrote up half a page. I also used your photo on the inside of the front cover. Both Jim & Reg have copies of NV5. The feedback so far suggests it is a good issue.
The sub-committee for the 70th aniversary of the Spanish Civil War meets tomorrow at the PUMP HOUSE Museum. Tameside TUC is pushing for a balanced event with fair representation of the CNT's contribution to that struggle. There is an individual from Sol Fed on this sub-committee who up to now seems to be sitting on the fence. We'll have to wait & see what this Sol Fed individual does, but it is surprising given the fact that Sol Fed is a sister organisation of the CNT in the IWA/AIT. Perhaps he is just shy.
Dave Chapple has been in touch and I think he will do something with Glen on the railway booklet. Barry told me at the Sol Fed meeting on Wednesday night that he had had contact with Newcastle about the next NAN and things look good.
I am hopeful of a big push forward in the NEW YEAR with the Spanish Civil War event; the Working Class History event and growing links with campaigns in Rochdale (asbestos), Salford (planning), Swinton (housing), Burnley (housing), Manchester (electricians), Tameside (politics & politicians). Having a Sol Feder on a trade council inspired sub-committee is also useful, as it makes it harder for them to backslide and makes them more answerable in the public arena.
We've got to start acting as though we are a serious force to be reckoned with and I think we can do that in parts of the North West. When I look at some of the contributions on 'libcom' though it smells of armchair anarchism.
|
|
|
Post by michele cryer on Sept 9, 2005 17:58:02 GMT
Hiya Bryan, thanks for bringing us up to date on the recent activities, meetings etc. and thanks for the copy of NV5, very interesting!
I'm looking forward to the Spanish Civil War commemoration events, and would love to be involved in some way here at Burnley and Pendle.
It's great to see so many factions of anarchists coming together over the issues you've highlighted above, and hopefully we will be able to contribute well to those causes.
|
|
|
Post by bryan on Sept 10, 2005 18:07:26 GMT
In Manchester the Spanish Civil war 70th aniversary memorial committee met today. It decided to go ahead to organise a commemorative exhibition on the Spanish war.
A booklet is also planned with interviews with an International Brigade participant and a former CNT member; a biographical detail of former IB participant: Sam Wild by his daughter; a historical account of the experiences of a nurse who went to Spain from Stalybridge and a report of an army camp for Spanish exiles from the Civil War & other refugees set up by the British after the Second World War: to be researched and completed by Ron of Sol Fed.
The consensus at this meeting was that this work should be a fair representation of the war giving full weight to all the contributions of all the parties which struggled against that military insurection in 1936. The meeting agreed that after 70 years the Spanish people deserve to have their sufferings presented in an 'historical context'. Some people at this meeting felt that in the past this conflict had, in this country, been interpreted in a half-baked way by sections of the British left. Having perused some earlier publications put out in the UK by the conventional left, some of us found they lacked intelectual rigour and were not consistant with our contemporary knowledge of that war.
The meeting heard approaches have also been made to the Manchester CORNERHOUSE about the possibility of showing a series of films related to the Spanish Civil WAr. It is hoped that a meeting will be fixed up in the near future with the Cornerhouse staff. (also on libcom NW)
|
|