Welcome to July/August's "Networking Newsletter" by email. A PDF version, complete with (colour) photos is available online either at http://www.networkingnewsletter.org.uk/56/nn56.pdf (4.7Mb download) or, with lower resolution images and without the Calendar and Contacts pages, at http://www.networkingnewsletter.org.uk/56/nn56-mini.pdf (1Mb download) A web version of this newsletter is available at http://www.networkingnewsletter.org.uk/56 and the latest newsletter at any given time can always be found at http://www.networkingnewsletter.org.uk/latest.shtml For the very latest news remember to visit our "stop press" web page at http://www.networkingnewsletter.org.uk/stop_press.shtml and events updated daily at http://www.networkingnewsletter.org.uk/Calendar and full dates of groups are at http://www.networkingnewsletter.org.uk/Contacts Please pass this email on and encourage people to sign up to our various email lists by sending an email to signUp@networkingnewsletter.org.uk or visiting http://www.networkingnewsletter.org.uk/feedback.html) Enjoy! [Michael] ========================= NETWORKING NEWSLETTER #56 ========================= JULY/AUGUST 2004 (printed/distributed: 28.06.04) - pls respect the "copyright" notice - ********************************************* -- (c)Networking Newsletter Project(2004) -- -- http://www.networkingnewsletter.org.uk -- - Permission to reproduce any info is given - -- subject to full inclusion of this notice - ********************************************* CONTENTS -------- 1: COUNCIL RECYCLING REPORT: COULD DO BETTER 2: SUMMER HOLS 3: FALLOWFIELD CHURCH STANDS OUT AGAINST POVERTY 4: SPARKS' STRIKE UPDATE 5: WHERE ARE THE RESOURCES? 6: NOAM ON DVD 7: A SPORTING CHANCE 8: NINE LADIES COURTING 9: VICTORIA SWIMMING CLUB 10: NEIL'S WHEELS 11: SPEAK YOUR MIND 12: CLIMATE CHANGE 13: 25 YEARS OF D.E.P. 14: EVENTS LISTING 15: CONTACTS 16: WORTH WHILE WEB 17: EDITORIAL 18: STANDING ORDERS 19: COPYRIGHT NOTICE ********************************************* -- (c)Networking Newsletter Project(2004) -- -- http://www.networkingnewsletter.org.uk -- - Permission to reproduce any info is given - -- subject to full inclusion of this notice - ********************************************* 1: COUNCIL RECYCLING REPORT: COULD DO BETTER On World Environment Day (5 June), Manchester Friends of the Earth held a "waste day of action". The aim of the day was to gain public support for the campaign to improve the doorstep recycling service in the Manchester area (see last Networking Newsletter). Members of the group held a stall in St Ann's Square asking passers by to sign a letter to Manchester City Council that requested improvements to the recycling service currently available. The signed letters, together with individuals' comments on what improvements they would like to see, were placed on recyclable containers in recycling bins for presentation to the council. MFoE's report on Manchester City Council's current recycling rate was that, according to last year's survey, they were in the recycling relegation zone but are struggling to pull themselves higher up the league. Indeed, due to some recent improvements of the various recycling schemes, some people were happy with the service offered. However, everybody was interested in further improvements, particularly requests for recycling plastic bottles in addition to paper, can and glass recycling. Of particular concern was that those living in flats don't yet have any doorstep recycling facilities despite requests to the council, Emerge and so on. Manchester Friends of the Earth gained good public support on the day and will continue with the campaign, obtaining more signatures from the public, before presenting the "message in a bottle" to the City Council. Colette Humphrey (0161 834 8221, recycle@manchesterfoe.org.uk) http://www.manchesterfoe.org.uk/waste USEFUL LINKS http://www.networkingnewsletter.org.uk/Resources/recycle.html http://www.manchester.gov.uk/environment/recycling http://www.emergemanchester.co.uk (local recycling firm) http://www.sage-rsa.org.uk/envawards/waste/ (Resource Management directory) LET US NOT BE SOGGY A recent report with the moniker "Soggy Lettuce" has highlighted that the average person in the UK wastes £1,725 a year on food, luxury items, entertainment, travel, gadgets and hobbies - 50% higher than the average credit card debt in the UK (£1,140 in 2003). Average Brits waste 7% of their annual salary and men waste around £240 a year more than women. Money is wasted on food that goes off before it can be used, clothes and shoes that are never worn and club memberships that go unused. Lettuce apparently emerged as the number 1 culprit - 61% of households admitted to throwing out soggy remains each week. http://www.pru.co.uk/content/news/soggy_lettuce --------------------------------------------------------------------- 2: SUMMER HOLS The eagle eyed amongst you will have noticed not just a few typos in this issue but that it also covers two months, rather than the usual one. This is to enable the editor to catch his breath and to catch up on all the filing and other admin work that running such a successful Newsletter involves! But don't despair, we'll be back in September and the web site will continue to be updated every week if not every day! --------------------------------------------------------------------- 3: FALLOWFIELD CHURCH STANDS OUT AGAINST POVERTY Members of Holy Innocents' church in Fallowfield prayed for the world's poor and then stood out publicly against third world poverty on World Debt Day (Sunday 16 May) to send a message to Tony Blair and George Bush. Parishioners old and young linked in a giant debt chain under a slogan "19,000 children die every day from poverty caused by unjust trade and debt repayments" whilst Nellie Rhodes and Jenny Daggers took a giant hacksaw to the chain. They explained, "Jubilee USA, the American arm of the international Jubilee Debt movement, had asked activists around the world to send photos commemorating the day. We demand an end to poor countries being leeched of funds needed to fight HIV/AIDS, educate their children and develop their infrastructure. Currently many have to pay interest on unrepayable debts run up when western banks were only too eager to fund inappropriate deals." They subsequently sent a signed picture of their event to the Prime Minister and received a reply saying it is being referred to the Treasury. If they don't get a response they'll write again asking for one. --------------------------------------------------------------------- 4: SPARKS' STRIKE UPDATE Local electricians who were locked out of their work place - the new building on Piccadilly Gardens - for setting up a Trade Union branch and pointing out safety concerns resulting from the bosses asking some to do work they had not been trained for (let alone would receive appropriate payment for) went to the Manchester Industrial Tribunal at the start of June. The result of their case for "dismissal for trade union activities" should be out in July. Paul, a member of the Manchester Social Forum, which has supported the electricians during their year long dispute, put a series of questions to Richard Leese, leader of Manchester City Council, in June, asking how the Council had conducted an inquiry into safety on the two city centre building sites without consulting the electricians. Richard Leese responded by saying that the Health & Safety Executive (HSE) had investigated the complaints and had given the sites a clean bill of health (we understand that on each visit the HSE warned the employers, DAF Electrical, of their visits in advance). Councillor Leese had more trouble answering the supplementary question, "Why were the local labour conditions not enforced?'" Councillor Leese's full written replies to the questions will be sent to to questioner shortly and can then be made public. A booklet about the dispute, "Locked-Out Manchester Electricians 2 - Sub-contract Killers, Wonky Wiremen and Manchester City Council under Labour" is available from Northern Voices (see below) for £1 (to the electricians) plus postage. Watch this space. Brian, Northern Voices (northernvoices@hotmail.com) Springbank, Hebden Bridge, HX7 7AA Electrician's Fighting Fund (07813 456 831) c/o Steve Acheson (Shop Representative), 6/1400/7 Branch Secretary, 13 Thompson Close, Dane Bank, Denton M34 2PQ. --------------------------------------------------------------------- 5: WHERE ARE THE RESOURCES? Regulars will notice that this issue we've included our full contacts list. Unfortunately, this has meant no space for the "Resources" section. However, you can find details of things to beg, borrow or sell at http://www.networkingnewsletter.org.uk/Resources Meanwhile, our top resource tip this month is a very user friendly web site for all things about Parliament. It's been created by a team of e-democracy activists, and is available at http://theyworkforyou.com It's easy to use, searchable, and also has comprehensive information on MPs. --------------------------------------------------------------------- 6: NOAM ON DVD Professor Noam Chomsky, one of the most prominent political dissidents who frequently criticises American and other countries' policies, was key speaker at this year's sold out University of Manchester Annual Peace Lecture in May. For those unable to get a ticket, a DVD of the event is now available for £6.99 (cheques payable to "University of Manchester") from Adrian Jarvis, Department of Government, University of Manchester, Oxford Road, Manchester, M13 9PL. --------------------------------------------------------------------- 7: A SPORTING CHANCE Over the next few months, the Iraq Solidarity Campaign (UK) is planning to organize a series of sporting activities within Manchester. They are looking for young people, aged between 16-28, who have an interest in sport and would like to come together in a friendly environment, to train and compete against others in friendly tournaments. The Iraq Solidarity Campaign is a non-party political organization that has a long history in the Iraqi Community, providing information to the general public, organising a variety of cultural and social events around Iraq-related issues and collaborating with others on more general Human Rights initiatives affecting other countries such as Palestine, Sudan and Iran. The ISC hope to involve young people from all communities in their sporting activities. Within the next couple of months, they are first going to be putting together five-a-side football teams, and then hope to cater for those young people whose sporting interests lie in other areas like base ball and basket ball. The aim will be to provide training and opportunities to all young people, to take part in sports and compete with others whilst possibly living out side of their native communities. If you are interested in taking part or would like further information on the sporting activities, then contact The Iraq Solidarity Campaign, c/o Bridge 5 Mill, 22a Beswick Street, Ancoats, Manchester, M4 7HR or phone 0161 882 0188. --------------------------------------------------------------------- 8: NINE LADIES COURTING At the end of June, the battle to save the Nine Ladies stone circle on Stanton Moor in the Peak District (see previous Networking Newsletter) won a minor victory when a judge classified the old quarries as being disused under the 1995 Environment Act, thus negating any previous quarrying permissions. This means that Stancliffe Stone, after a four-year battle to quarry stone from the area (to send to the States!), now have to apply for permission to quarry from the Peak District National Park Authority (PDNPA) and this, presumably, could only be granted subject to stringent conditions. Indeed, the PDNPA were quoted in the media as welcoming the verdict. Stancliffe say they will appeal but as protester Julie Henson pointed out the decision is "a small victory in a long war. We are very pleased with what came out of the High Court, which confirmed what we already felt. It's not a total victory but everyone is determined to stay on the site for as long as it takes." Round one to the protesters but the struggle against Stancliffe Stone continues. Site mobile (SMS only): 0700 594 2212) --------------------------------------------------------------------- 9: VICTORIA SWIMMING CLUB The Friends of Victoria Baths are re-launching the historic Victoria Swimming Club, as a club for people who want to swim with others in the historic swimming pools of Manchester (Levenshulme, Withington, Chorlton, Broadway Pool and Reddish). They hope in the future to be able to swim in Victoria Baths - the baths won last year's BBC Restoration programme and is currently undergoing renovation work (see previous Networking Newsletter). Membership of the relaunched club is free of charge and, if there is sufficient demand, there will be special sessions as follows: women only, men only, mixed, "family" (adults and children) and adults only. Barry Johnson, Victoria Swimming Club, Studio 20, IMEX Business Park, Hamilton Road, Manchester, M13 0PD. (0161 225 2913 (work), vsc@hraca.freeuk.com) --------------------------------------------------------------------- 10: NEIL'S WHEELS Readers may recall Neil Lea who used to be based in Manchester campaigning initially for the local Friends of the Earth group before switching his attention to campaigning full time for the cause closest to his heart: animal rights. He is a tireless campaigner who has worked unpaid for animal rights for over twenty years. He currently produces "ARC News", and runs several grassroots vegan campaigns and was a key organiser of the recent NW Vegan Festival held in Manchester (see last Networking Newsletter). During his many years as a dedicated campaigner Neil has suffered serious health issues and is now reliant on a wheelchair and in continuous pain. He is awaiting an operation that will hopefully put an end to the pain but that is likely to leave him entirely paralysed below the waist. Neil's current wheelchair is an NHS edition that is heavy and awkward (and a wheel keeps coming off too!), so his friends are raising £2,500 for a lighter and more user friendly model. They understand that the people they are asking for support are people who already spend their time and money fighting for the animals or other good causes, but are asking you to consider this as an investment for the animals. With Neil out there and on the move, the movement just got that bit stronger. To donate to this fund please make cheques payable to "Neil's Wheels" and send them to: PO Box 194, Enfield EN1 4YL. ARC News http://www.arcnews.org.uk Vegan Festivals http://www.veganfestivals.org.uk --------------------------------------------------------------------- 11: SPEAK YOUR MIND The Networking Newsletter is ten years' old this year and we're thinking hard about how to progress the project for the next ten years. To help us reach the right decision we'd like to hear what you think of what we've been doing and what future direction you'd like to see us take. You can either go to our online survey (URL below) or complete and return the enclosed survey to Networking Newsletter, 6 Mount Street M2 5NS. You can also email suggestions (and compliments!) to suggestions@networkingnewsletter.org.uk Thanking you in advance for your time. http://www.networkingnewsletter.org.uk/surveys/survey2004.html --------------------------------------------------------------------- 12: CLIMATE CHANGE Manchester FoE (MFoE) are asking people to sign their "Climate Challenge Pledge" to reduce their carbon dioxide "footprint". (Carbon dioxide is a major contributor to the enhanced greenhouse effect & climate change.) The group is promoting the use of renewable energy, and encouraging members of the public to make a pledge to switch to a "green electricity" supplier by running a series of stalls and offering free low energy light bulbs to those who sign the pledge. The next stall is planned for Saturday 3 July in St Ann's Square. Green electricity is electricity that is generated from renewable sources, such as wind, water, sunlight or biomass (organic matter). Using green electricity means that no fossil fuels such as coal, oil or gas have been burned to produce the power, so you have not added to the pollution that is contributing to climate change. Green electricity suppliers recommended include Ecotricity Old Energy Tariff, Good Energy, Green Energy 100 and RSPB Energy. Changing to a green supplier and reducing your contribution to climate change could hardly be simpler involving little more than a telephone call or the completion of a simple form. Dave Coleman, Manchester Friends of the Earth (0161 834 8221, dave@manchesterfoe.org.uk) http://manchesterfoe.org.uk/climate KYOTO CLUB Sustainability NW and partners have launched The Kyoto Club which is working to make the NW a zero emissions area, particularly in terms of carbon emitted by businesses. For more, see their web site http://www.kyotoclub.org.uk/ or attend the Christie Group breakfast on Wednesday 28 July. DO SUMMAT To coincide with the G8 gathering in the US and to signpost the coming 2005 meeting in the UK next year, with its emphasis on climate change, local activists "Do Summat" subvertised a number of car adverts around the city. Manchester's burgening yuppie population is being targetted by SUV manufacturers so there wasn't a shortage of adverts to "improve" with slogans such as "Stop Climate Change...ride a bike" . Do Summat (mail@dosummat.org.uk) --------------------------------------------------------------------- 13: 25 YEARS OF D.E.P. This summer, Manchester Development Education Project, an educational charity based at the MMU School of Education in Didsbury, celebrates its first 25 years with a twilight event of videos, exhibitions and presentations, including the launch of its new website and of a new video resource for teachers: Games We Play. Global and development education work in schools was started in Manchester in the '70s by a number of individuals, one of whom was local activist Dr. Nora Davis. Nora had gathered together a collection of resources on development issues and began a programme of work with schools and youth groups, applying themselves to the question of what young people could do about the perceived wrongs of the world. Nora came to realise that this work needed coordination and expansion. Funding was sought from the then Ministry for Overseas Development, and with guidance from representatives of Christian Aid, Oxfam, Shanti Third World Centre, WDM, UNA and others, a resource centre was officially launched in 1979 with one full time worker. Over the years, DEP has continued its work in schools, with a number of ground breaking projects leading to nationally and internationally popular teaching resources such as Teaching Development Issues (later updated and republished as Southern Perspectives on Development), Values and Visions and the award winning Global Express series. Innovative work continues with projects on Sustainable Cities and peer education. A silver anniversary event is being held on Wednesday 7 July. Jane Angel, Manchester DEP (0161 445 2495, depman@gn.apc.org) http://www.dep.org.uk --------------------------------------------------------------------- 14: EVENTS LISTING Since the events listed is updated so often and regularly posted to the emailing lists we have only included events for the first week of July. Please go to our web site http://www.networkingnewsletter.org.uk/Calendar for the latest details. JULY 2004 --------- All Month Sickle Cell Disorders Awareness Month Campaigning to raise both awareness about the disease and vital funds for research. Sickle Cell Anaemia is an inherited blood disorder, which mainly affects people of Afro-Caribbean origin, and people from the Mediterranean region, Arabia and Asia. The disorder affects the red blood cells which contain a special protein called haemoglobin (Hb for short). The function of haemoglobin is to carry oxygen from the lungs to all parts of the body. People with Sickle Cell Anaemia have Sickle haemoglobin (HbS) which is different from the normal haemoglobin (HbA). When sickle haemoglobin gives up its oxygen to the tissues, it sticks together to form long rods inside the red blood cells making these cells rigid and sickle-shaped. Normal red blood cells can bend and flex easily. Because of their shape, sickled red blood cells can't squeeze through small blood vessels as easily as the almost donut-shaped normal cells. This can lead to these small blood vessels getting blocked which then stops the oxygen from getting through to where it is needed. This in turn can lead to severe pain and damage to organs. Symptoms include fatigue, breathlessness, bone and joint pain, weakness and susceptibility to infections. Episodes of severe pain are known as "crises". Sickle pain can happen at home and at school - in fact anywhere - so it is important for families and sufferers, as well as carers and teachers, to know the best ways of coping. There is no cure for the disease but daily medication and regular hospital check-ups keep Sickle Cell Anaemia manageable. Info: Sickle Cell Society (020 8961 7795, info@sicklecellsociety.org) All Month From Butties to Bhajis Pump House People's History Museum, Left Bank, Bridge Street M3. Working people's food in Great Britain and how this has changed and developed over the last 200 years. Info: People's History Museum (0161 839 6061) Thursday 1 - Friday 9 National Parks' Week The Association of National Park Authorities will be co-ordinating the first ever National Parks' Week. The aim is to raise awareness of our National Parks (there are 13 National Parks in the UK, and in total they cover 10% of the landscape) and all that they have to offer; breathtaking and diverse landscapes of unparalleled beauty, recreational opportunities beyond compare and escapes from the humdrum of modern life. Info: Sara Long, Assoc. of National Park Authorities (02920 499985, s.long@anpa.gov.uk) Thursday 1 Basic Budgeting and Monitoring 9:30am-12:30pm, Friends Meeting House, Mount Street M2. This course will provide an intro to preparing and using budgets to monitor your funding. Bookings: Suzanne, VAM (0161 236 3206, suzanne@vamanchester.org.uk) Thursday 1 CN4M Geographical Networks 1pm, VAM. Info: CN4M (0161 237 9309) Friday 2 Wrong Trousers Day Inspired by the Oscar-winning characters Wallace and Gromit, Wrong Trousers Day is all about paying £1 for the right to look wrong and wearing wrong trousers to help improve the quality of life for children in hospitals and hospices around the UK. Serious illness is traumatic at any age, but it can be even more distressing for children who spend much of their time receiving treatment and who may miss out on a normal happy childhood. That's why Wallace & Gromit's Children's Foundation seeks to ensure that these children have access to the very best comforts and facilities for them and their families. On Wrong Trousers Day participants pay £1 (to Wallace & Gromit's Children's Foundation) to wear funny, foolish, or just plain wrong trousers. Fundraising packs available. Info: Wallace & Gromit's Children's Foundation (0845 600 1924) Saturday 3 - Sunday 11 National Mammal Week A week of events and activities organised by The Mammal Society to raise awareness of British mammals and involve people of all ages in efforts to protect them. Info: The Mammal Society (020 7350 2200, enquiries@mammal.org.uk) Saturday 3 Chorlton Unity Festival 1-7pm, Chorlton Park, Barlow Moor Road. Celebrating Diversity, Connecting People Across Communities to say no to racism in our city. Stalls, music, street theatre, circus, market place, drumming. picnic and more. Saturday 3 Creative Writing 2pm, Mersey Valley Visitor Centre, Rifle Road, Sale Water Park. A short walk to soak up the sights and sounds of summer will provide us with the inspiration for a creative afternoon. Back at the visitor centre we will put pen to paper and use words to paint pictures. Info: Mersey Valley Visitors' Centre (0161 905 1100, 0161 881 5639) Sunday 4 International Day for Captive Dolphins Info: Cetacea Defence (cetaceadefence@hotmail.com) Sunday 4 Gatley Festival Sunday 4 Ugly Bug Ball Menwith Hill, Yorks. Transport from Manchester. Independence from America! Come to the Ugly Bug Ball at the Menwith Hill Spy Base. Menwith Hill is the world's largest military spy base. It is a US Air-force base on Britain’s land. The covert operations there cover the whole globe with the linked US bases at Fort Meade in the US and Pine Gap in Australia. It also plays a key role in NATO, the military alliance which should properly be called the Nuclear Armed Treaty Organisation. Join us and assert your democratic right to resist the operation of US bases in our midst. Transport available from manchester: 10am from Chorlton Street bus station, returning for 7pm (in time for Euro 2004 final!) Cost: £10 waged, £5 unwaged. Info/transport: GrassRoots Opposition to War (grow_manchester@hotmail.com) Sunday 4 Summer Show 42 St. Hilda's Road, Old Trafford M16. Fundraising event for "Future Forests" and other tree planting and environmental projects, hosted by Creative Recycling and featuring demonstrations of paper making, pictures, hangings and glasswork plus home baked refreshments. Info: Creative Recycling (0161 848 0488, creativerecycling@advanceuk.com) Sunday 4 Healthy Heart Walk 1pm, cafe pavilion, Mesnes Park, Wigan. A gentle stroll the park with the Rangers. Bookings: (01942 245 369) Sunday 4 U.S. Independence Day Double Dose £5/£3.70 (concs). 7pm, Cornerhouse, Oxford St. Two films about US democratic processes. "Unprecedented: The 2000 Presidential Election" is made out of L.A. IndyMedia, an angry and impassioned documentary about the theft of the 2000 U.S. presidential election; "Bob Roberts" is a satirical mock doc about a former folk singer running for the U.S. Senate with a corrupt take on the democratic process "Vote first. Ask questions later". Bookings: Cornerhouse box office (0161 200 1500) Monday 5 - Sunday 11 National Cruelty Free Week Info: British Union for the Abolition of Vivisection (020 7700 4888) Monday 5 International Day of Cooperatives Highlighting the contribution that cooperatives are making across a wide spectrum of human aspirations and needs. Tuesday 6 & Wednesday 7 Group Facilitation Methods From £95. A structure for effective communication which allows everyone in the group to participate. The method results in clear ideas and conclusions, broadens perspectives, and enables a group to gain valuable insights from its experiences. The practical application of this method is in analysing trends and current situations, helping a group talk through sticky issues, and clarifying values within the community and work settings. Info: ICA:UK (0845 450 0305, top@ica-uk.org.uk) Tuesday 6 CN4M Transport Pool 12:30pm, VAM, Spear Street. Info: Catriona Fothergill (0161 273 1736) Wednesday 7 - Saturday 10 War Crime From £8. Starting times vary, Gorton Monastery A young woman killed by an off-course cluster bomb is brought face-to-face in a courtroom with the pilot who killed her. A Tribunal or a Kangaroo Court? You decide... With a mix of verbatim research, wish fulfilment, physical impossibility, humour, dreams and hope, War Crime exposes the gaps between CNN and real lives to ask how much we really know about the people bombed in our name. Presented in the evocative and atmospheric Gorton Monastery, War Crime questions the morality and confronts the absurdities and human costs of interventionist wars. Bookings: Contact Theatre box office (0161 274 0600) Wednesday 7 Beginners' Wildflower Walk and Picnic 10am, Wythenshawe Bus Station, Wythenshawe Centre. Bus to the World Freight Terminal for a short walk into the Valley in search of flowers. Bring drink, picnic lunch & waterproof; wear sensible shoes - could be muddy. Info: Andy Collins, Bollin Valley Partnership (01625 534 790, bollin@cheshire.gov.uk) Wednesday 7 Show Your Heart How Much You Love It 11am, Firs Lane entrance, Firs Park, Wigan. Gentle 1-hour walk. Info: (01942 766 708) Wednesday 7 25 years of Manchester Development Education Project 4.30-8.30pm, Assembly Hall, Manchester Metropolitan University (Didsbury). A twilight event of videos, exhibitions, presentations and refreshments. Featuring a presentation by Professor David Hicks on "25 Years of Global Education: What do you Remember?" Info: Development Education Project(0161 445 2495, depman@gn.apc.org) Wednesday 7 CN4M Economics & Local Employment Pool 3-5pm, East Manchester Community Forum, Mill Street Venture Centre. Info: CN4M (0161 237 9309) ********************************************* -- (c)Networking Newsletter Project(2004) -- -- http://www.networkingnewsletter.org.uk -- - Permission to reproduce any info is given - -- subject to full inclusion of this notice - ********************************************* Thursday 8 Group Facilitation Skills From £95. Facilitating participatory processes goes beyond being able to design events and knowing which methods to use. There is a whole range of skills that a facilitator needs to bring into play both before, during and after the event itself in order to ensure that the process and the methods employed are effective. In this one-day course, scheduled back-to-back with Group Facilitation Methods to allow from one to three days of training. Info: ICA:UK (0845 450 0305, top@ica-uk.org.uk) Thursday 8 Benefit for Rafah 7pm, Sand Bar, Grosvenor Street (TBC). Arabic music (from a DJ) and Middle-Eastern food. All proceeds, including from sale of drinks, to go directly to victims of house demolitions in Rafah refugee camp. Manchester Palestine Solidarity Campaign (contact@psc-manchester.org.uk) Thursday 8 Veg Soc 8:30-11:30pm, "Square Albert" public house, Albert Square. ManVeg's (Manchester vegetarians & vegans) regular monthly pub meeting: a chance to meet fellow ManVeg'ers informally over a drink and a snack. Info: Sue Wrethman (0161 705 2622, susanwrethman@hotmail.com) or Colin Gorman (07748 418659, colincurious@hotmail.com) Friday 9 & Saturday 10 Living in the City Urbis, Manchester Cathedral & St Ann's Square (Sat only). Two day event with a conference (Building Sustainable Communities, 2-5pm, Friday, Urbis), workshops (Ecological footprints, Sustainable Consumption, Waste minimisation & Footprint pledges, 10:30am-4pm, Sat, Urbis), exhibition (Urbis & Manchester Cathedral) and Green Fair (Sat, St. Ann's Square). (More details (MS Word doc, 2Mb)) Info: Catriona Fothergill, Environment Network for Manchester (0161 273 1736) Saturday 10 Pond Survey 2-4pm, Chorlton Water Park, Maitland Avenue. Help the wardens find out what mini-monsters are lurking in their new, improved wildlife pond. Info: Mersey Valley Visitors' Centre (0161 905 1100, 0161 881 5639) Sunday 11 World Population Day The World Population Day was inaugurated in 1988 by the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) to mark July 11, 1987, when the world's population hit five billion. The Day seeks to focus attention on the urgency and importance of population issues, particularly in the context of overall development plans and programmes, and the need to find solutions for these issues. In 2000, world population stood at 6.06 billion, and was growing by 78 million a year. The United Nations estimates there will be between 7.3 billion and 10.7 billion people in 2050, with 8.9 billion the most likely projection. Sunday 11 Discover the River Douglas 10.30am, visitor centre, Worthington Lakes, Wigan. A 4 mile ranger led walk to trace the River Douglas to its source. Stout footwear essential. Bookings: (01695 625 338) ******************************************************************** * This events listing was prepared by the "Networking Newsletter". * * http://www.networkingnewsletter.org.uk Tel: [pls use email] * * Please circulate with this notice intact and credit our hard * * hard work if you list any of the above info in your publications * ******************************************************************** REGULAR EVENTS ARE LISTED SEPARATELY Please see the online listing at http://www.networkingnewsletter.org.uk/Calendar/regular.html ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 15: CONTACTS Space is too limited to list all our contacts here (it's four very cramped pages in the printed newsletter), so we humbly suggest you visit our web page http://www.networkingnewsletter.org.uk/Contacts An email or paper copy is available upon request by emailing contacts-request@networkingnewsletter.org.uk ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 16: WORTH WHILE WEB The Networking Newsletter web site, with over 150 visits (that's over 1000 hits) each day, on average, is well worth while visiting. Not only does it have updates on news and events but it has a very comprehensive resources list - with details as varied as free laptops, meeting rooms, media tips, reviews and recycling fridges - and contacts list with over 350 groups listed. So, if you have Internet access, why not make your home page: http://www.networkingnewsletter.org.uk ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 17: EDITORIAL Another month and another victory - who said campaigning never works?! Although not a total victory, the verdict at the High Court is a success for the battle to save Nine Ladies (see 8. above). Another local success is the silver anniversary for the Manchester Development Education project (see 13. above). Rather than give away the rest of the contents of this packed issue, I'll let you flick through and inform & inspire yourself! TAKE THE GREEN OPTION You can now save paper by getting the Networking Newsletter and updates delivered by email. We can either email you a text-only version of the newsletter or a PDF as soon as it comes out. To take advantage of this, send an email to subscribe@networkingnewsletter.org.uk saying which format you prefer, and whether you wish to go on the "actions" list. The latter allows people to swap information on forthcoming events. 10 YEARS AND COUNTING The Networking Newsletter has a 10 year history of helping campaigners in and around Manchester to work together more effectively. The focus is on those who are working for positive change on issues of peace, development, environment, human rights, animal rights and other areas of social justice. Copies are send out to subscribers, local libraries and outlets such as the Friends Meeting House, MARC the printers and MERCi. When the budget allows, copies are also sent to those whose subscription has expired so use the form below to ensure you keep getting the newsletter! Don't forget to complete the survey (see 4. above) to let us know your vision for the next 10 years. SEND US YOUR NEWS! Articles for the next newsletter should be sent by Friday 20 August to 6 Mount Street, Manchester M2 5NS, email info@networkingnewsletter.org.uk or fax 0161 834 5797 (marked FAO: Networking Newsletter). Articles should be 50-200 words long, preferably with a picture or other hi-res colour graphic, and include your full contact details. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ 18: STANDING ORDERS To set us a standing order for your subscription, send us a signed letter with your bank details saying you wish to set up a standing order to "Networking Newsletter", Abbey National, 130 Market Street, Piccadilly Gardens, Manchester M60 1AY whose sort code is 09-00-00 and account number 0005-0005-K3240267BON. Please state clearly the amount and how frequently you wish to pay. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ 19: COPYRIGHT NOTICE ********************************************* -- (c)Networking Newsletter Project(2004) -- -- http://www.networkingnewsletter.org.uk -- - Permission to reproduce any info is given - -- subject to full inclusion of this notice - *********************************************