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Transition Leicester

2014 March Transition Leicester About Transition Leicester

Transition Leicester is a growing network of local people that aims to inspire action to make Leicester a thriving, low-carbon and resilient city that we’ll love to live in.

Our main focus is on developing practical local solutions to some of the big challenges that our community is facing today, such as climate change, the economic crisis and dwindling supplies of fossil fuel energy. Although this situation is challenging, we also see it as a great opportunity to plan for and create a positive and sustainable future for our city. Continue reading “Transition Leicester”

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New year thoughts at the start of 2014

As 2013 leaves us my thoughts are especially with the people of Syria, and with the Kurds who have created a safe haven in the midst of the mess; hopes for 2014 are with Left Unity which was born this year and personal thanks to Ken Loach, Andrew Burgin and Kate Hudson, and local Leicester people for their part in this; in Leicester we have the People’s Arts Collective to take us into much needed political cultural change … the music will keep flowing and so will folk clubs and festivals – including Yesim Cafe, Grill&Meze Bar on a Sunday.

Lots to do, walk cheerfully, live adventurously and simply, and let love be my guide.

Here’s wishing you a challenging and enjoyable 2014 xx

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Margaret Owen returns from solidarity visit to Rojava

1075604_653746481334321_197652154_oPeace In Kurdistan Campaign PRESS RELEASE – 30 December 2013

Margaret Owen, a well-known human rights lawyer and women’s rights advocate has returned from a solidarity visit with women’s groups in Rojava, northern Syria.

Margaret spent eight days in the region, which is also known as Western Kurdistan and is currently under the administration of a broad coalition of civil society and political organisations led by the Syrian Kurdish Democratic Union Party (PYD). The region was largely peaceful until clashes with Al Qaeda affiliated groups began this year, and has seen a massive influx of Syrian internal refugees fleeing violence elsewhere in the country. Continue reading “Margaret Owen returns from solidarity visit to Rojava”

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Politics Arts Culture = People’s Arts Collective – Leicester

This is an exciting new organisation bringing politics, arts and culture together to effect change. It was initiated by left Unity – Leicester but now has its own momentum.

We need to think about:
o Who, what and why we are
o What are we going to do
o How
Ø We need to find a name for the group that is simple and reflects what we are and want to do
and this is the priority for our next gathering.
Key words that have been used include: Provoke, delight, excite, inform, challenge, and – we need better words with these … – re-framing, re-forming Continue reading “Politics Arts Culture = People’s Arts Collective – Leicester”

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A Different Kind Of Love Song – Dick Gaughan – YouTube

A Different Kind Of Love Song – Dick Gaughan – YouTube

www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jo3rwF7qdj8‎

Published on Oct 6, 2012

“One night in 1982, I had just finished playing in a folk club somewhere in the southeast of England when a woman came up to me and proceeded to ask me all the questions in the first verse of this. When I replied, she looked at me sadly and said, “Oh, you’re still at the political stage, then”, and walked off.

When I had stopped laughing I wrote this.”

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International Support Kurds in Syria Association – SKS

skslogo-1Daily news updates: Wednesday 27 Nov 2013 –Final death toll for Wednesday 27/11/2013: Approximately 190 people were killed. The SOHR documented the death of 5 doctors and 4 hospital staff members (nurses and paramedics) who were killed during the clashes between the Khadra battallion/ISIS and the regime forces in the Deir Attiya hospital, which took place on the 21-23rd of this month. The dead: 44 civilians (9 women, 6 children), 42 rebels, 7 rebels executed by ISIS, 7 unidentified rebels, 19 NDF, 36 regular soldiers, foreign fighters (2 Hizbullah*, 9 Abu al-Fadel, 14 ISIS).  – See more at: http://supportkurds.org/news/wednesday-27-november-2013

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Left Unity is about to be launched

BannerLeft Unity is an exciting opportunity for us all to work together for change.

We will be holding our Founding Conference on 30th November 2013 at Royal National Hotel in Bedford Way, London WC1H 0DG. The venue is fully accessible. If you have child care requirements please contact us.

The conference will be tasked with deciding the policy and structure of the party/organisation, as well as making decisions regarding ongoing anti-austerity campaigns and electoral strategy.

Please note that in order to fully participate in the founding conference you must first join to become a Founding Member of Left Unity. http://leftunity.org/category/foundingconference/ Continue reading “Left Unity is about to be launched”

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Quaker Asylum and Refugee Network – QARN

qarn logo sm  Destitution and indefinite detention of people in the asylum system – see reports and articles here: http://qarn.org.uk

Quaker statement on indefinite immigration detention

[The QARN statement (see below) has now been adapted by Quakers in Britain and may be used in correspondence with press and local MPs: http://www.quaker.org.uk/news/quaker-statement-immigration-detention] Continue reading “Quaker Asylum and Refugee Network – QARN”