until Fri 6 May Marketing Utopia: Communities For Sale
Noon-7pm, Wednesdays to Saturdays, The Basement, 24 Lever Street.
See press release.
Info: Yvan Henner on 07960 963 663, info@common-eye.com)
until Saturday 7 May Terra
Central Art Gallery, Old Street, Ashton-under-Lyne
Liverpool based artist, Nina Edge has been awarded Arts Council funding to work on a challenging new installation piece opening for exhibition in Ashton-under-Lyne in March. In 2003 Nina Edge used a residency at Tameside College in Ashton-under-Lyne to research and develop the terra project. This installation will consist of a map made of camouflage patterned fabric which reflects the militarisation of the earth. The use of so much camouflage blurs the edges of land masses, slowing the speed at which the familiar image of a world map is recognisable. The dominance of military activity as a cultural phenomena, with it's space satellite surveillance make even the seas irrelevant. Thus the seas are represented in earth tones, all dried up. (More...).
Info: Meg Lewis-Crosby, Curator of Art, Tameside Museums & Galleries, (0161 343 2878, meg.lewis-crosby@tameside.gov.uk)
Sun 1 May Day
Noon-1.30pm, Piccadilly.
Leafleting and after by bike together to Platt Fields, near lake, for games, play with a parachute, picnic, and our creativity
Info: (manarchy@af-north.org)
Tues 3 LSP Management Group
10am-noon, Town Hall.
Info: CN4M (0161 237 9309)
Tues 3 River Basin Management in Canada: from ADR to AG
4-5pm, Hanson Room, Architecture and Planning Building, South Campus, Univ. of Manc.
Seminar by Nigel Watson (University of Lancaster).
Info: Aidan While (0161 275 6889, aidan.h.while@manchester.ac.uk)
Weds 4 CN4M Local Development Framework Workshop
6-8pm, Green Fish Resource Centre, Oldham St.
Info: CN4M (0161 237 9309)
Weds 4 Migrants, the right to stay, the right of movement
7pm, Friends Meeting House, Mount St.
Meeting of the "2nd April network" - what’s after the demo and plans 4 new actions.
Info: Emma Ginn (0161 740 6504, ncadc-north-west@ncadc.org.uk
Sat 7 Climate Action
Meet 11am, MFoE office, basement, Friends Meeting House, Mount Street M2.
Manchester Friends of the Earth will be collecting signatures on postcards asking each signatory's MP to pledge to support the new Climate Bill. This is to be introduced into the Commons on behalf of Friends of the Earth during the next session of Parliament. This bill is going to be the focus of FoE climate campaigning over the next couple of years. This is because if passed, it will compel successive governments to reduce CO2 emissions and actually address the UK's contributions to Climate Change. MFoE will then contact each newly elected MP in the Greater Manchester area to congratulate them on their election, and request a meeting to hand over their share of the cards signed by their constituents and ask them to pledge to support the bill. This will get Climate Change on Manchester MPs agenda right from the start of the new parliament.
Info: Dave & Ali, Manchester Friends of the Earth (0161 834 8221, coords@manchesterfoe.org.uk)
Sat 7 Asylum Seekers Solidarity Social
1-4pm, Friends Meeting House, Mount Street.
Travel costs refunded for those facing deportation. Meal provided. Info: Mark, Manchester Committee to Defend Asylum Seekers (07765 122 829, manchester@defend-asylum.org)
Sun 8 Immigration
7:30pm, Holy Innocents Church, Wilbraham Road, Fallowfield.
Discussion evening.
Info: Phil Tarbuck (p.tarbuck@btopenworld.com)
Mon 9 - Sun 15 Selfridges Week of Action
Selfridges is a very influential name in the world of fashion. They continue to sell real rabbit fur, and trying to justify this by using the myth that rabbit fur is a by-product of the rabbit meat industry. This is a lie spread by the fur trade to try to encourage a revival in fur sales. It is important to take action to stop this latest attempt by the fur trade to revive fur sales. Coalition to Abolish the Fur Trade are holding a week of action to ensure Selfridges get the message that selling fur is wholly unacceptable in today’s society. As well as demos at their stores in Manchester, Birmingham and London, CAFT are asking campaigners to contact the different departments and branches on each day during the week. Remember it is illegal to farm animals for fur in the UK as it is considered too cruel, yet companies such as Selfridges are allowed to make profits from fur imported from countries where fur farming remains legal. Tell them this is unacceptable, and that until they stop selling fur, you will boycott their shops and you will encourage others to do the same. Contact Selfridges Chief Executive Paul Kelly (08708 377 377, paul.kelly@selfridges.co.uk) or their general emails:
Connect@selfridges.co.uk,
contactus@selfridges.co.uk,
nick.vowles@selfridges.co.uk,
customer.relations@selfridges.co.uk,
beconsumed@selfridges.co.uk and
ContactServices@selfridges.co.uk. Also see Tues 10 May & Thurs 12 May.
Info: CAFT (0845 330 7955, caft@caft.org.uk) or Manchester Animal Protection (07761 533 152, info@mapsoc.org.uk)
Mon 9 UNICEF
7:30pm, Friends Meeting House, Mount Street M2.
Social occasion with an informal mix of talks, debates or activities for stimulating discussion, this month speaker from UNICEF, the organisation whose main brief is for the welfare of children around the world.
Info: VSO Manchester: Angela Hilton (0161 928 2095, royhilton@aol.com)
Monday 9 NCADC
7:30pm, Friends Meeting House, Mount St.
Organizing meeting.
Info: Emma Ginn, National Coalition of Anti-Deportation Campaigns (NCADC) (0161 740 6504)
Tuesday 10 Selfridges Week of Action
As part of the week of action contact Selfridges' Manchester store to complain about them selling fur: Manchester Manager, Leon Jones (08708 377377, leon.jones@selfridges.co.uk); Senior Press Officer, Holly Mirza (holly.mirza@selfridges.co.uk); Buyer, Olivia Richardson (olivia.richardson@selfridges.co.uk, 020 7318 3439, fax: 020 7318 3975); Yvette Manson (yvette.mason@selfridges.co.uk, 020 7318 3987).
Info: CAFT (0845 330 7955, caft@caft.org.uk) or Manchester Animal Protection (07761 533 152, info@mapsoc.org.uk)
Tues 10 CN4M LSP Strategy Group
6-8pm, Green Fish Resource Centre, Oldham St.
Info: CN4M (0161 237 9309)
Tues 10 Preparing for the worst: using complexity theory to identify vulnerable food systems
4-5pm, Hanson Room, Architecture and Planning Building, South Campus, Univ. of Manc.
Seminar by Evan Fraser (University of Leeds).
Info: Aidan While (0161 275 6889, aidan.h.while@manchester.ac.uk)
Weds 11 CN4M Geographical Network
12-2:30pm, venue TBA.
Info: CN4M (0161 234 2916)
Weds 11 Manchester Cuba Solidarity Campaign
7:30pm, upstairs room of the "Hare and Hounds" pub.
This will be a regular business meeting. All friends of Cuba welcome.
Info: Mark Burton, Manchester CSC (0161 881 6887, csc.mcr@pop3.poptel.org.uk)
Weds 11 Greater Manchester Guantanamo & Belmarsh campaign meeting
7:30pm, Monsoon Nights, Wilmslow Road, Rusholme.
The Anti Terror Bill comes for renewal next year. Let us work together and have it repealed. No one should be locked up with charge or trial. The Guantanamo and Belmarsh Campaign in Manchester is inviting people to attend a meeting to discuss the formation of a campaign for the repeal of the Anti Terror Bill and opposition to Indefinite imprisonment without trial.
Thursday 12 Selfridges Week of Action
As part of the week of action contact Selfridges' Trafford Centre store to complain about them selling fur: Manager, Billy Burns (0161 6291204); Recruitment Services Manager (Ben.Murphy-ryan@selfridges.co.uk); general emails: recruitment@selfridges.co.uk, hrrecruitment@selfridges.co.uk and adam.lane@selfridges.co.uk.
Info: CAFT (0845 330 7955, caft@caft.org.uk) or Manchester Animal Protection (07761 533 152, info@mapsoc.org.uk)
Sat 14 Selfridges Anti-Fur Action
Noon, outside Selfridges, Exchange Square.
part of the week of action against Selfridges.
Info: CAFT (0845 330 7955, caft@caft.org.uk) or Manchester Animal Protection (07761 533 152, info@mapsoc.org.uk)
Sunday 15 - Saturday 21 Christian Aid Week
Help people in the Third World stand on their own two feet. By supporting Christian Aid Week, you are among millions of people who think poverty is a scandal we do not have to accept. Your actions, commitment and contributions will bring about a better life for people in poor communities all over the world.
Info: Simon O'Meally, CA Manchester (0161 273 3467)
Sun 15 International Conscientious Objectors' Day
The Day centers on the struggle for the right to conscientious objection with a particular focus this year on Chile and Latin America.
Sun 15 International Conscientious Objectors' Day
1-2pm, Peace Garden, Manchester.
A Quaker ceremony to mark International Conscientious Objectors’ Day. There will be an introduction, a song, a speech by Bob Oliver, some peace poems, a contribution from Robin Brooks of the Peace Tax Seven, laying of flowers to individual conscientous objectors, a 2 min silence and then another song.
Info: Manchester Quakers (0161 834 5797, office@manchesterquakers.org.uk)
Mon 16 World Debt Day
Tues 17 - Sat 21 Talking to Terrorists
From £10. 7:30pm nightly, Manchester Library Theatre, St Peter's Square.
Eavesdrop on encounters with people who have crossed the line. How could someone blow up a pub full of people or strap explosives to their body? Hold terrified children hostage? Ordinary people do these things to be heared. If we don't understand why, we won't stop them. Robin Soans, Out of Joint and the Royal Court theatre interviewed people from around the world who have been involved in terrorism. This play is about their experiences. The Royal Court has always been at the vanguard of new writing, and its international work has made 'Talking To Terrorists' possible.
Library Theatre (0161 236 7110)
Tues 17 LSPs and Community Involvement
From £117.50. Manchester.
This event will look at the use of Neighbourhood Renewal and future funding regimes to support Local Strategic Partnerships and community involvement through the Community Empowerment Networks. We'll consider Community Strategies as a driver and how Sustainable Development needs to underpin strategic policy as well as community planning.
Bookings: Environmental Trainers Network (0121 358 2155, ETN@unite.net)
Tues 17 Bolton Arms Trade Protest
11.45am-2pm, main entrance, Bolton Town Hall, Victoria Square.
Manchester Campaign Against Arms Trade (CAAT) is organising a protest to raise awareness of its 2005 campaign calling for the Greater Manchester Pension Fund, the largest local authority pension fund in England and Wales, to end its investments in arms companies now and in the future. Council Tax used to pay the employers contribution to the Fund and Council employees pension contributions are invested in UK and overseas, including US, arms companies. Manchester CAAT is calling upon Council Tax payers, Council employees and Councillors to oppose these arms investments which link them to profits from arms exports made to the detriment of others around the world. Manchester CAAT's web site allows Council Tax payers, Council employees and Councillors to send a letter calling for the end of these arms investments to the Funds Chair and gives more details of the campaign. All welcome for as long as you can stay to highlight these unacceptable investments to Bolton Council employees, Council Tax payers and councillors.
Info: Manchester CAAT (info@endarmsprofits.org.uk)
Tues 17 Local Development Framework Stakeholders
Info: CN4M (0161 234 2916, clare@cn4m.net)
Tues 17 People not Profits
7:30pm, Friends Mtg House, Mount St.
Meeting to discuss the outcome of the election and what to do next.
Tues 17 Forum for Palestine
7:30pm, first floor, Falafel, Rusholme.
Info: maciacia (itspossible@ntlworld.com)
Weds 18 Time to take the Nuclear option?
8:15am, Council Chamber, Whitworth Building, Univ. of Manchester M13.
Follow the carbon curve and it only takes you to one, conceivable
conclusion: we need more nuclear power. If pro-nuke advocates are
right - and don't forget they now count Professor James Lovelock
among their number - the only way to get climate change under
some kind of control is to stop prevaricating as our remaining
nuclear power stations are decommissioned and start investing in
the best environmental option for a secure energy supply: nuclear
power.
This breakfast debate will feature the Manchester University
research team working on a project called "Keep the Nuclear
Option Open" (KNOO). They will make the case for nuclear as a
"stop gap" as we wait for renewable energy to fully replace the
"generating gap" left as we decommission our existing nuclear
power stations over the next decade. They will argue that the risks
of generation and waste treatment and storage are easily
outweighed by the readily-won benefits of halting climate change.
The debate will also feature the latest carbon emissions scenarios
for the Northwest from the Tyndall Centre North, which worryingly
show that we are not going to hit our emission reduction targets
unless some radical changes are made to the way we think about
power generation.
Whether you're pro, anti, or undecided, this is sure to be an eye-
opening debate, a must for anyone concerned about climate,
energy and the environment in England's Northwest.
Gregg Butler is Professor of Science in Sustainable Development
at Manchester University and has been a senior adviser to a large
number of organisations including Defra, the Ministry of Defence
and BNFL. His research interests include the balancing of science
and stakeholder factors in sustainable development, especially in
the nuclear field; the status and scope of environmental principles
and their interaction with stakeholder views; and radioactive waste
management, disposal and regulation.
Charles Curtis is Professor of Geochemistry at Manchester
University. His research interests include geological disposal of
radioactive wastes and contaminated land remediation. He is the
Chair of the Radioactive Waste Management Advisory Committee
and a member of the Royal Society working group on radioactive
waste management.
The Tyndall Centre North is part of the national Tyndall Centre
network that brings together scientists, economists, engineers and
social scientists, who together are working to develop sustainable
responses to climate change through trans-disciplinary research
and dialogue on both a national and international level. Their work
on regional greenhouse gas inventories will inform the Christie
debate. The discussion will be chaired by Steve Connor of Creative Concern and breakfast will be provided by the Christie Bistro.
Bookings: Sara Russell (0161 275 2828, Sara.Russell@manchester.ac.uk)
Friday 20 - Sunday 22 Conflict Resolution
From £20 (Bobbins negotiable in part/full payment). Northenden.
Workshop looking at the underlying causes of violence and exploring new ways of dealing with conflict, for anybody who has niggling little resentments that become grudges... anybody who struggles with anger... and anybody who wants to find out about alternatives to violence. Level One workshop.
Info: Fran Townsend, Alternatives to Violence Project Greater Manchester (0161 832 3660, fran@avpgmr.org.uk)
Sat 21 National Demonstration for Palestine
Assemble 1pm, Embankment for rally in Trafalgar Square, London. Transport from Manchester.
Called on the anniversary of the Palestinian 'Nakba' (catastrophe of 1948) to protest against the on-going injustices inflicted against the Palestinian people. Coach from Manchester: £15 waged, £20 unwaged, £20 solidarity price, asylum seekers free. To reserve a seat tel: 0171 785 9202 or 0161 428 9929
Info: Palestine Solidarity Campaign (0161 428 9929)
Sat 21 AGM for Greater Manchester Stop the War Coalition
2-4.30pm, Friends Meeting House, Mount Street.
Monday 23 - Friday 27 Walk to School Week
The school-run accounts for a sizeable chunk of rush-hour traffic. It causes congestion, pollution and danger outside most schools (as you will know if you experience it every day). If more families were able to walk to school occasionally, then communities would experience the environmental and health benefits associated with fewer vehicles on the roads in their neighbourhood. We'd be fitter and healthier for a start!
Info: Jo Pike, National Walk to School Campaign coordinator (jo@livingstreets.org.uk)
Mon 23 Poverty
8pm, Hare and Hounds, Shudehill.
Talk and discussion.
Info: Paul Bennett, The Socialist Party (0161 860 7189)
Tues 24 Introducing the Countryside
10am-4pm, Ashton under Lyne Town Hall.
Mini-conference as part of Tameside PCT Festival on Healthy eating/Health Living.
Flier (70kb, MS Word doc)
Info: Colin Bellamy-Wood, Tameside Network for Green and Open Spaces (0161 320 3877, bellamywood@btopenworld.com)
Tues 24 Bury Arms Trade Protest
11.45am-2pm, Main entrance, Bury Town Hall, Knowsley Street.
Manchester Campaign Against Arms Trade (CAAT) is organising a protest to raise awareness of its 2005 campaign calling for the Greater Manchester Pension Fund, the largest local authority pension fund in England and Wales, to end its investments in arms companies now and in the future. Council Tax used to pay the employers contribution to the Fund and Council employees pension contributions are invested in UK and overseas, including US, arms companies. Manchester CAAT is calling upon Council Tax payers, Council employees and Councillors to oppose these arms investments which link them to profits from arms exports made to the detriment of others around the world. Manchester CAAT's web site allows Council Tax payers, Council employees and Councillors to send a letter calling for the end of these arms investments to the Funds Chair and gives more details of the campaign. All welcome for as long as you can stay to highlight these unacceptable investments to Bury Council employees, Council Tax payers and councillors.
Info: Manchester CAAT (info@endarmsprofits.org.uk)
Tues 24 The contribution of the organic agriculture and food sector to regional sustainability and quality of life
4-5pm, Hanson Room, Architecture and Planning Building, South Campus, Univ. of Manc.
Seminar by Martina Schäfer is based at Technical University Berlin in the Centre for Technology and Society. She heads up a research team working on a large project funded by the German government. The project looks at the contribution of organic food and agriculture to quality of life in the area Berlin and Brandenburg. She is particularly interested in comparing the organic sectors in England and Germany, which should make for a lively discussion. Discussions will no doubt continue after the seminar itself and chances are the seminar group will go to Kro Bar on Oxford Road. Graeme will be available on 07905 790426 if you want to find the post-seminar group.
Info: Aidan While (0161 275 6889, aidan.h.while@manchester.ac.uk)
Weds 25 & Thurs 26 Greening Manchester - Have your Say
Various times, Friends Meeting House.
More details
Thurs 26 Transport
7:30pm, The Basement, 24 Lever Street.
Networking meeting discussing transport.
Info: Maciacia, Manchester Social Forum (itspossible@ntlworld.com)
Thurs 26 ManVeg Veggie Week Celebration
£10. 7-10pm, Rukshmanis, 187 Derby Stree, Bolton.
Good Indian food (eat as much as you want), a bar, quiz and raffle. Wheelchair friendly. Proceeds to ROLDA animal sanctuary.
Info: Alwynne Cartmell (01204 704 600, alwynne@wellbeingworkshopsworldwide.com)
Sat 28 Manchester's Queer Community bands together to Make Poverty History
6pm, Canal Street.
Manchester's Gay Village Businesses, The Lesbian and Gay Foundation, Operation Fundraiser, George House Trust and Oxfam have joined forces to encourage the queer community to support the Make Poverty History campaign, a UK coalition of organisations and celebrities that are asking the world's leaders to take a stand against global poverty in 2005. At 6pm, Manchester's Gay Village will become a sea of white as members of the public, bars and businesses join together to show unity in one human chain across Canal Street to represent the white band of Make Poverty History. Sackville Park will play host to a number of speeches from representatives of the LGB community asking the gay community to sign up to the campaign and show their support either by wearing a white band or attending the Make Poverty History rally before the G8 world leaders in Edinburgh on 2nd July.
Details (90Kb, MS Word doc); Flier (240Kb, PDF).
Info: Sarah Blakemore, Oxfam (0161 838 5621, sblakemore@oxfam.org.uk)
Sun 29 Carol Green Annual Salford Bike Ride
40 mile cycle ride to raise money for St Anns Hospice, Little Hulton. Starts and finishes in Buile Hill Park and this year the Friends of Buile Hill Park are having a car boot Sale along with bouncy castles, refreshments etc. We will be working with St Ann's Hospice to raise money for the charity and the park, keep fit and have fun. Carol lived in Langworthy area and her family appreciated the support they got from the Hospice so much they have raised money for St Anns in recognition of this. the hope is that together we can make this a bigger and better event to promote cycling in Salford, a lovely park and raise money for a good cause while having a good time.
Info: bike ride (07870 581 092), car boot sale (07968327107 8am-8pm, 07929890929 10am-8pm) or Carolyn Bilsborough (07795 292 741)
Tues 31 Meet VSO
7pm, Manchester Conference Centre, Sackville Street, Manchester, M1
Come and meet VSO volunteers and staff to discover more about VSO's unique people-orientated approach to development and how you can become involved. They start at the times shown below. Although these details are unlikely to change, please contact your local office to confirm a couple of days prior to the event. We endeavour to ensure that all buildings are accessible to wheelchairs; other access issues are also taken into account when venue bookings are made. However should you have any queries regarding building access, or should you have any other needs (for example a sign language interpreter), then please liase with your local office in advance of the event.
Info: VSO (020 8780 7500)