“Common Good” and an application form to apply for a common good grant. Remember the council only use the Common Good fund of Glasgow to fund junkets, mobile phone bills and fancy receptions – and who knows what else. Why cant it be used to fund a street party or celebration in your area? CG fund-app– or design your own for your town or village. Information-read-first.pdf Go on try it.

 

How We Organise event: Where we go from here

Conclusions: How We Organise – There is not enough being done to break down the barriers that stop people participating. While the “activist” is to busy and has no time for whatever reasons – there is a whole community out

there looking in. What they are looking at (generally) is something they do not feel part of – something out-with their experience – or more troubles to add to the ones they already have. If we are to get more people involved (an imperative if we want things to change) we need to start using our imagination and the type of tools that do not create more alienation – but power and understanding for those who need it most.

The event attracted some new people interested in what is going on around them. The Common Good day event, also set out some of the benefits we could gain by more communication through our various groups and activities. A few highlights of the events and updates, follows.

Shopping ( Media day)

I worked with young folk during the week with the theme of shopping. We went for walks around town and the shops, took some pictures, wrote some essays and graphics on shopping and had discussions a the Electron talking about different aspects such as Needs, wants, branding, values, symbols, choice, propaganda (advertising) and the credit crunch

Walking

City Strolling was keeping everybody fit (Group from Adelphi centre) as we walked to Richmond Park under the guidance of someone who once lived near there. Noticing a big part of the park has been given over to a private housing development. Unbelievable that our young folk need to rely on a memory from someone for such vast areas of our city. Here any historical reference, and public institutions, has been obliterated – Our young folk are losing fast something they do not even know that they own as the common good fast becomes just another memory.

Common good day

CG day attracted a good diverse bunch of folk involved in various community projects and issues. We had Wyndford parents + wean, a group of artists doing a project in the Wyndford North Kelvin Meadow, New Social Art School, ASAP Scotland*, Burgh Angel news and others. Very interesting day. We agreed to do more

 

ASAP

I came across Stephen Koepplinger (After School Activities Scotland) in the Wyndford estate as he led a team in stripping of the overgrown top-soil from a red blaze pitch behind the schools that were closed down and are now being demolished. Steve is working with folk from the Wyndford who are creating their own regeneration. If you want to help at the pitch. Every Saturday from 10 at the Wyndford pitch. Bring a ball a few of your friends and a few snacks. Video — Website

Reshuffle Starting to organise for the January February Reshuffle.(Later this year due to other bookings) If your group, yourself or anyone you may feel would be interested please let me know. Organising the Reshuffle is a lot of work mostly done by myself – so any kind of help is welcome. See here for last years program. Date for this years event will be 6 February – plenty time for people to organise, events stalls, discussions. 09 video

Common Good News

Hoping to start to put together at the beginning of the year a Common Good newspaper, for distribution nationwide – A kind of common Good awareness publication – setting out historical details of the CG, details of recent events, victories, and the CG as a tool for organising and enlivening our communities. This publication could also act as a precursor to a national Common Good Day, somewhere, sometime in 2010. (Reshuffle discussion?) Common Good for beginners

How We Organise was held at the Electron Club at CCA during Document7 Human Rights Film Festival. How we Organise is about what you do, not what is done for you. 5 days of being part of the action and finding your place within it. Something for all the family – especially the young who will inherit the folly off our times.

Document7 21 – 25 Oct. Full Program

With over 60 outstanding national and international documentaries that look at human rights in its broadest sense—as personal stories with a global punch—you will find films here that are both accessible and thought-provoking, engaging and challenging, and then be able to debate them with the filmmakers and invited speakers.

A series of workshops in self education. Held during Document 7 at the Electron Club CCA. The event and it’s organisers have no affiliations to any political party nor political ideology. We promise not to bore people rigid nor talk in a language they do not understand. Our purpose is to educate. There are no teachers nor students at this event. We are all learners. There are no grants paid workers. Organising this event will be an exercise in organising. If you have anything you would like to say – do – contribute, either send me an email

The case for Hamiltonhill and Scottish public sector housing (Video)

Hamiltonhill Action Group/STO – Demo

The Hamiltonhill Action Group/STO national demo is next thursday (24th September) in Glasgow and we want as many people as possible to show that Scotland really does want decent council housing and GHA tenants will no longer stand for sub-par housing while we watch the GHA bosses walk off with inflated bank accounts.

Margaret Kerr on Oatlands Allotments. With so much gentrification of Glasgow’s social landscape, our community culture is disappearing along with the demolished buildings.

More videos:

Otago – Tranquil places under attack

Otago – Tchiovna gardens

Save Otago Website

The importance of small things and the need to expand and further the movement for change in working class communities. If what started as a small group of people, with a vision of a free world had not been determined to change things – how many of us would still be chained in slavery? How many children would still suffer the abuse of forced labour? Otago Lane development – More ridiculous development on the Kelvin. ” The developers Otago Street Ltd have submitted an application for planning to build 163 new dwellings and 6 commercial properties of up to 8 storeys high in the conservation area of Otago Lane. As a resident of the lane, I am deeply concerned about what this will do to the character of the lane and the surrounding area, as well as, of course, the genuine concern for the restricted quality of life this will afford to myself and the rest of the current residents…

Pollok Park Victory – Common Good

“On 12th June Glasgow Council finally gave in and abandoned the idea of of Go Ape in Pollok Park. Thanks to all our supporters – we knew we spoke for the majority and could prove it – they thought we would gradually go away – but were wrong. In their press statement the Council and Go Ape tried to save face – that is to be expected – but they and we know that they simply could not overcome the legal and financial mess they go into – and which we have been pointing out for 18 months. We established that Pollok Park (and Knowehead Lodge ) are part of the Common Good and they would have had to go to court to remove them.