View source

From NorwichScoop

==Save Wensum Lodge: Threat to adult education, community sports facilities and local business.== Norfolk County Council has decided in principle to sell off riverside land in King St., Norwich as housing development land, beginning with Lincoln Ralphs Sports Centre.  As prime housing land, this would fetch a much higher price. At a recent public meeting, Norfolk County Council representatives agreed to delay sale of Lincoln Ralphs so that Friends of Wensum Lodge  may submit a Business Plan to restore Lincoln Ralphs and continue its use as a community sports hall.  However this does not guarantee sale of the land will not proceed. There is a petition and a consultation online, if you can do both great, but either would help.  Please sign the petition before the 29th of September. http://petitions.web-labs.co.uk/norwichcc/public/Site-allocation--King-Street Friends of Wensum Lodge are working on a business plan to lease the Sport Hall and run it.  If successful this would  provide facilities for the local area and a revenue stream for the County Council. Cliff Jordan, the County's relevant Cabinet Member promised not to sell the site if this bid proved viable, but viablility has yet to be defined. If the City Council were to  permit housing development on the site, the value of the land and the rent that Friends of Wensum would Lodge would need to find to be considered ‘viable’would almost certainly be more than they could afford.  This would result in the public permanently loosing access, not just to the Sports facilities, but also the car park that serves Wensum Lodge, and potentially Wensum Lodge too, as visitors would not be able to park, setting a downward spiral in usage.   If housing allocation is refused, the measure of viablility will be achievable, as the business plan will show that that the the centre can pay its way, but not if it has to compete with residential rents. This petition has been launched by Ward Councillors, Friends of Wensum Lodge, Fifth Quarter, Kings Street Cultural Quarter and King Street Community voices asking the City Council to designate keep Wensum Lodge, including its Sports Halls and car park  as a site of special value for community use.   This petition will be available on paper at businesses in King Street, and is online  the City Council’s website.   http://petitions.web-labs.co.uk/norwichcc/public/Site-allocation--King-Street The lands ownership was transferred from the City Council to Norfolk County Council in 1974 under legislation of the Heath Conservative govt. The block of land also contains Wensum Lodge adult education centre, and The Stores, a large warehouse. King Street  residents have pointed out *The land was originally designated as amenity land, and should be transferred back to Norwich City Council if Norfolk County Council do not intend to maintain it for community use. *It is not right that the County Council should be allowed to profit from the removal of City facilities. *King St has a no. of derelict sites, so there is already plenty of land available for housing. *Provision of sporting facilites in this area is already lacking *Local business people wish to use the Stores for commercial purposes, which will provide much-needed local employment. ==Observers wanted, Sept 3rd, London== *On '''September 3''' the EDL have announced they will march through Tower Hamlets. The EDL have a history of confrontational and violent behaviour, and we’re looking for legal observers to help us monitor the Met’s response to this with a focus on how the local population are affected by a zero tolerance policing approach. Please email gbclegal@riseup.net if you can observe. We will let you know the meet up point nearer the time. We will be running a back office to take calls from those arrested the whole day. -------------- ==Burston Strike School Ralley, Sun Sept 4th, 11:00 to 16:00== [[Image:Burston2011.jpg]] Location Church Green, Burston, near Diss, Norfolk Annual rally to celebrate the longest strike in history: Schoolchildren 'went on strike' in 1914 to support their teachers, sacked by the rural squirarchy for organising agricultural workers. http://www.unitetheunion.org/news__events/events/burston_strike_school_rally.aspx Join us for food (or bring a picnic if you wish), drink, entertainment (John Hegley, Robb Johnson & the Irregulars), and speakers (Diana Holland AGS Unite, Kelvin Hopkins MP, Mary Robinson, Dave Carr - introduced by Megan Dobney SERTUC and Jim Kelly Unite) Travel Coaches will be organised by a number of different organisations - contact the office for information when available. Dedicated car and coach parking is available in Burston. Nearest railway station is Diss (c.4 miles). Register interest or request more information from sertucevents@tuc.org.uk ------------- ==NPSC Boycott Israeli Goods week of action 11th-17th September== Targetting Tesco's supermarkets urging them to cease stocking Israeli goods and trading with Israel More info please Contact Peter Norton at  peter2psc@gmail.com or on: 01263 732126 Norwich Palestine Solidarity Campaign http://www.norwichpsc.org.uk ------------------ ==BIG (Boycott Israeli Goods) action, Wed Sept 14th, 10am-2pm== Leafleting on The Walk by Debenhams. Giving out leaflets to the public informing them of the Boycott and inviting them to join it same contacts. All welcome to join. Norwich Palestine Solidarity Campaign http://www.norwichpsc.org.uk ---------------- ==The world's largest arms fair - DSEi, 13-16 September, London== (Defence & Security Equipment International) Arming repressive regimes. Boosting arms company profits. Displaying the latest killing technology. It's an event you don't want to miss. People the world over are yet again witnessing the horror of what happens when the UK and other military powers put weapons in the hands of repressive regimes. Crowd control equipment, tear gas and military equipment were sold by the UK to Gaddafi's regime, just months before he turned them on civilians calling for democracy. But it's business as usual for the UK government and arms companies: * David Cameron continued touring the Middle East with 8 high-level arms dealers in the week UK weapons were turned on protestors in Libya. * The repressive and authoritarian Saudi government continues to be one of the UK's largest weapons customers. There is no sign of an embargo despite their tanks rolling into Bahrain to help put down unrest there. http://www.stopthearmsfair.org.uk/ An event with global repercussions... At the last DSEi arms fair in 2009, the guests included an impressive number of A-list repressive regimes seeking to shore up their power with the latest weapons technologies: Algeria, Bahrain, Libya, Saudi Arabia, and more! Just months after its attack on Gaza in 2008-9, Israel hosted a huge pavilion of its "battle-tested" exports. Countries that are at threat of war with each other - such as India and Pakistan - shopped side-by-side. In 2011, DSEi publicity boasts that the arms fair will be "even bigger" and will host the "Largest Unmanned & Robotics Demonstration area in Europe". http://www.stopthearmsfair.org.uk/ ... that we can stop! Be there on 13th September The Stop the Arms Fair coalition is calling a mass day of action on Tuesday 13th September - the first day of the arms fair. We want to make it too difficult for the arms companies to do business by supporting a mass of diverse and creative actions against the fair. The day of action will be accessible to all whether it's your first demo or you've spent hours of your life chained to arms factory gates! Put it in your diary. Start talking to others and making links with local campaigns. Let's get a group from every town and city down to London for the Day of Action! To share ideas for the day, get involved in making it happen, or ask questions, use our contact form http://stopthearmsfair.wordpress.com/contact/ or contact the supporting organisation of your choice. If you are mobilising in your area, you might like to check out Disarm DSEi's map http://www.dsei.org/exhibitors of arms company exhibitors across the UK, and CAAT's ideas for local action http://caat.org.uk/campaigns/this-is-not-ok/dsei-localaction.php . ------------ ==[[Image:Una.jpg|100px]] UNA Lunchbox: Gender, Land & Resource Rights in India, Fri, 16 Sept, 1pm, Friends Meeting House == Dr Nitya Rao from the School of International Development at UEA will talk on issues relating to Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment. UNA Lunchbox talk. Contact: Marguerite Finn Tel: 01603-722880 Organisation: United Nations Association - Norwich Branch URL: http://www.unanorwich.org.uk ------------ ==Little g film night: Fri Sept 16th, 6pm, Friends' Meeting House, Upper Goat Lane== A busy activists' alternative to a book group. September's film will be "Shock Doctrine" Based on Naomi Klein's bestselling book, The Shock Doctrine argues that America's 'free market' policies have come to dominate the world through the exploitation of disaster-shocked people and countries. Both the film and the book argue that governments all over the world exploit natural disasters, economic crises and wars to push through radical free market policies. Klein calls this 'disaster capitalism' and in her view, disaster capitalism is as effective as psychiatric shock therapy at wiping our collective memory. The film concludes that the result is often catastrophic for ordinary people and hugely beneficial to big corporations. The documentary also adds to Klein's thesis - which was written before the recent market turmoil - and includes an analysis of how the financial world got into its current troubled state. http://www.channel4.com/programmes/the-shock-doctrine/episode-guide/series-1/episode-1 The book highlights the need for resilient communities in interesting times. September is the first, if people like the idea and turn up, it will be a regular. The idea is to relax over a film and food (bring something shareable if you can), and have time to talk about it. --------------- ==Talk: The effects of spending cuts on the legal representation of immigrants. Wed 21st Sept, 7:30pm, Charing Cross Centre== Speaker:  Local lawyer Olu Ogunnowo  Talk about the effects of funding cuts on legal representation of immigrants. Venue: Charing Cross Centre, St John Maddermarket Norwich Contact: Joanna Kinnaird, Amnesty International http://www.norwichamnesty.org.uk ---------------- ==Consultation Event of the Council, Tue Sept 20th, 2pm-5.30pm, NNAB== Norwich City Council is consulting the city’s residents on the savings it needs to make, and on how services will be designed, delivered and paid for in the future. This conversation is taking place between July and October 2011 across Norwich at community events and online. The Council and its Equalities Forum are organising a consultation event on: *Tuesday 20th September 2011 from 2pm to 5.30pm *at NNAB, The Activity Hall, Bradbury Activity Centre, Beckham Place NR3 3DZ *Followed by networking from 6pm at Norwich International community Engagement Centre, The Blue House, 19 Muspole street, Norwich NR3 1DJ This event is for people living in Norwich who may face particular barriers or are vulnerable. We want to ensure that the voices and experiences from these communities are heard and influence how decisions are made. It will give you a chance to learn more about what the savings will mean for you as a Norwich resident, as someone who is active in your community, or if you work for a support organisation or group. There will also be time for networking and sharing at both centres. You may also be able to recommend people you know or work with who would enjoy attending this event, so please let us know their names and contact details. Please book before Friday 9th September. If you have any questions or require more information please contact: Nadia t: 01603 212368 e: nadiaaman@norwich.gov.uk Lydia t: 07747460441 e: lydiamartin@norwich.gov.uk ----------------- ==Peace One Day, Wed Sep 21st, Norwich, afternoon + evening== {| class="wikitable" |- |width="10%"|[[Image:POD.png|150px]] |width="85%"| Events in Norwich (tbc): *4:30 pm Gathering + speech at the Peace Pillar in Chapelfield Garden *Walk to the Forum with banners *5:00 pm Vigil for Peace outside the Forum *6:00 pm Welcome by the Mayor and 'Peace One Day Exhibition' in the City Hall *7:00 pm Shared simple supper at the Friends Meeting House (Upper Goat Lane) *8:00 pm Showing of the 'Peace One Day' film: 'The day after peace' (http://www.peaceoneday.org/en/film/jeremy-films) in the FMH *Reflection and Close More details closer to the day. Organised by Norwich Peace Camp http://www.norwichpeace.org/ |} {| class="wikitable" |- |width="10%"|[[Image:PODblue.png|150px]] |width="85%"| UN peace day. More information on the UN peace day: http://www.peaceoneday.org/en/welcome |} -------------------- ==Clothes Swap, Sat 24th September, 12-2pm, Belvedere Centre== Due to popular demand, and random donations of clothing, Greens are hosting a second clothes swap. The perfect time to swap your summer t-shirts for something autumnal with longer sleeves! Tea and coffee will be on sale in the centre and there will be the opportunity to join in taster sessions for different types of dancing (not organised by the Green Party).As before, you can swap an item of clothing you no longer want for something someone else has brought, or you can come empty-handed and give 50p for each item you decide to take home with you. Venue: Belvedere Centre,Belvoir Street, Norwich, NR2 3AZ. --------------- ==“Moving Planet: A day to move beyond fossil fuels”, Sat 24th Sept== The next big global mobilization we're organizing at 350.org. The goal is to get moving beyond fossil fuels—both symbolically by pouring into the streets in the thousands on foot, bicycle and other means of sustainable movement, and politically by bringing powerful demands to our leaders that day to move beyond fossil fuels to a 350ppm world. Mobilizing for individual and community solutions will continue to be important—but one of the main goals for Moving Planet is to demand government action, especially in places where governments are stalling on climate action despite the overwhelming urgency of the science. It will will be a day for our movement to get out in the streets in large numbers, on foot and on bicycle, to bring strong calls to our leaders that we need to get off fossil fuels and move to 350ppm. More information on: http://www.moving-planet.org/about ------------------ ==Autumn Human Rights Film Programme at Cinema City on Monday nights== A five-week programme of Monday night showings, covering five decades of Human Rights in film. *September 19th - To Kill a Mockingbird *September 26th - The Deer Hunter *October 3rd - Cry Freedom *October 10th - In the Name of the Father *October 17th - It’s a Free World All films will start at 8.10pm at Norwich Cinema City ---------------------- ==[[Image:NorwichStopTheWarCoalition.jpg]] Norwich Stop the War Coalition events== ===Fuel On The Fire, Oil And Politics in Occupied Iraq, Wed 28th Sept, 7pm, The Cube=== SPEAKER: GREG MUTTITT, author Wednesday 28th September The Cube in the Forum Greg Muttitt will speak on his much acclaimed book Fuel on the Fire ===10 Years Of War Of The War on Terror & Occupation of Afghanistan, Vigil Fri 30th Sept=== Vigil near the Forum on Friday 30th September The vigil will include speakers, poster parade, poetry readings, and possibly music. ===Anti-War Mass Assembly, Sat Oct 8th, Trafalgar Square, London, 12 noon=== A Norwich coach will leave Theatre Royal, Norwich at 8.15am. Tickets £15/12 concessions from The Greenhouse, Bethel Street, Norwich or call Frank 01493 664499 ===Sign the pledge=== I pledge that if British Troops are still in Afghanistan on the tenth anniversary of the invasion I will join the mass assembly in Trafalgar Square on Saturday 8 October to make it clear to the government that they must not continue this brutal and pointless in defiance of the will of the people. To sign this pledge go to www.stopwar.org.uk and at the home page click on “Sign the pledge” to join Tony Benn, John Pilger. Caroline Lucas, John McDonnell, Laurie Penny. and many, many others. It all helps to build for the Mass Assembly on the 8th Oct. {{Norwich Scoop footer|}}

• Template:Norwich Scoop footer

Return to Scoop September 2011.