scribblings on politics, passions and participation
Fertile Ground’s 2024 showcase, Pause, Play, Repeat premiered on International Women’s Day at Newcastle’s Dance City. Pagan Hunt (left) and Hayley Walker Fertile Ground’s 2024 showcase, Pause, Play, Repeat premiered on International Women’s Day at Newcastle’s Dance City. The performance comprised ‘How to Uncouple in an Ethical Way’, exploring millennial relationships and short-term human connections … Continue reading Pause, Play, Repeat – 8 March 2024
Jamie Driscoll said: ‘’When you’re electing a mayor, you are not electing a representative member of a team. You are electing the actual person who is going to be in charge and going to manage a £6.1 billion budget for the region - and this is why experience and independence really matters”. Anya Cook in … Continue reading Anya Cook in conversation with Independent Candidate for North East Mayor, Jamie Driscoll
A Song For Ella Grey is a retelling of the Orpheus myth, set in modern-day Tyneside and written for young people but just as relevant to adults; it’s a powerful story about the power of story, teenage friendships, human connection and choice. Based on the book by Tyneside author David Almond, this adaptation for the … Continue reading A Song For Ella Grey – Review
Follow the voices of your imagination … is probably the best advice you can give to children; to think, to create, to wonder, to feel. And what a creation – Wintry Tales: Snow Covered Maps and Mountainous Mayhem – as local performers Maya Torres and Hannah Walker take us on a wondrous journey through imagination … Continue reading Imagine and enjoy with Wintry Tales at Live Theatre – 14 December 2023
November felt rather early for a seasonal redemption story and Christmas merrymaking and yet the timing couldn’t have been more apt as we awaited the Chancellor’s mid-winter financial statement. The miserly protagonist Scrooge responds to requests for support for poor children ‘’are there no prisons, shelters or workhouses?’’ whilst the nation’s foodbanks prepare for a … Continue reading A Christmas Carol at the People’s Theatre: review – 21 November 2023
An increasing volume of pulsing, slightly discordant music filled the auditorium as the audience took their seats whilst the curtains were open to the set designed by John Bowser. Having visited the Franz Kafka museum in Prague, I was prepared to be slightly unsettled. The stark bedroom, raised on castors, moved in slight rotation with … Continue reading Metamorphosis at Northern Stage: review 26 October
Just like mushrooms, women’s voices, sex workers’ voices, we are told are going to break through into the light. This play is not about sex and nor is it really about sex work, but the social conditions and political times in which some people find themselves in, told through the voices of sex workers themselves. … Continue reading Mycelial at Northern Stage – Review – 24 October 2023
As more of us find ourselves locked out or expelled by Labour, a simple explanation of the leadership's motivation lies with their personal social aspirations, writes ANYA COOK IT’S a fair cop! I have been caught — in a “prohibited act.” My Labour Party membership days have been numbered since appealing last summer’s investigation into … Continue reading Class metamorphosis in Starmer’s Labour – 3 October 2023
Access to education should be a right and lifelong learning sits at the heart of a fair society The Right2Learn campaign asserts that access to education should be a right throughout life and that lifelong learning sits at the heart of a fair society. This summer they organised two linked events ahead of Labour Party’s annual conference … Continue reading The Right2Learn Campaign- 28 September 2023
“Beautiful man,” gushed my companion. “I am completely amazed by the capacity of some human beings to just keep going, no matter what”. Hamzeh Al Hussein is strikingly handsome. His eyes and his beautiful smile captivate and they held the audience in his one-man performance as they journeyed with him from Newcastle’s infamous Quayside back … Continue reading “Be more Hamzeh”: review of Penguin at Live Theatre – 22 September 2023
Right2Learn is a brilliant campaign for Lifelong Learning, which Nicky and I had both signed up to. Arranged at short notice before the summer recess, to influence policy and the agenda of the Shadow Equalities team ahead of conference season, they convened a conference in Parliament, on barriers to education and employment for women post-pandemic. … Continue reading For Nicky
The race for North East Mayor is on at a time when public trust in politicians is low. Therefore people across the region will need to decide if they trust a candidate standing on a platform of eradicating child poverty, who says they are from the North East, they love the North East and yet … Continue reading Choosing a Mayor to champion our cherished green spaces
The azure backdrop and golden-foiled light instantly transported us to the Ionian Sea and Mediterranean warmth of Kefalonia. Having read Captain Corelli’s Mandolin twice (before seeing the film) I had high expectations of this production performed by The People’s Theatre in Newcastle. The Priest warns us early on that “We must care for each other … Continue reading Captain Corelli’s Mandolin at the People’s Theatre – A Review
“Oh my God, oh my God” mouthed Jodie Wild who plays Daisy, Katie’s daughter, as the cast bowed to the standing ovation from the audience of invited guests comprising amongst others, community activists, local politicians, food bank volunteers, Ken Loach, Dave Johns, and the press. The world stage premiere has been running this week at … Continue reading A response to I, Daniel Blake 4 June 2023
Restoration of the EMA is a key policy in the SEA manifesto and is also demanded in the SEA ‘s proposed motion to Labour Conference. Anya explains why. EMA was a payment to students that was introduced under Labour in 1999 to improve participation in education post-16 both in FE colleges and sixth forms. Students … Continue reading Reinstate Educational Maintenance Allowance (EMA) 17 May 2023
Fifty years ago, in Education For A Change, writers Colin and Mog Ball asked “What is community?”* A simplistic understanding of community is an organisation such as a school or hospital, a district maybe or a religious community, defining on a singular commonality, be it location or activity. The Balls say that a vibrant community … Continue reading Compassion Connecting College and Community 17 May 2023
A review of Northern Kin Festival 28-30 April 2023 written with Julie Ward Hot House Flowers A quality weekend music festival within easy reach from various points of the North East seemed too good to miss. Everything looked perfect – proximity combined with an excellent line-up on three stages over a three-day period was enticing. … Continue reading 2-4-6-8 Mud Super Highway 1 May 2023
In a Socialist Educational Association North Branch meeting last year, the Shadow Education Secretary Bridget Philipson kept referring to ‘community’ - but what did she mean by that? A community is made up of different communities. Eventually she explained ‘’hardworking families’’ and this made no sense to me. Or maybe it did. Maybe it excluded … Continue reading “Connecting Communities and Community: Education, Employment and Employability”
A Report to Friends of Al Aqsa North East, NCG, Newcastle College, NEU Northern, Newcastle Unites, PSC Newcastle, Socialist Educational Association and Suffrage Sisters Alliance: Introduction In February this year, I participated in a delegation organised by the National Education NEU with the Palestine Solidarity Campaign PSC. The NEU delegation of twelve people comprised primary … Continue reading Report on NEU Educational Visit to Palestine 11-17 February 2023
“WE need every free voice in the world to stand with education in Jerusalem” — Saed Erziqat, general secretary of the General Union of Palestinian Teachers. On a recent National Education Union delegation to Jerusalem and the occupied West Bank, education professionals from England and Canada visited six schools, met national and regional GUPT officials, … Continue reading “We fight to stand still” 20 March 2023
Tucked away on Buckingham Street behind Science City, overlooking the old Brewery Site, nestles a little piece of peace on earth. Earthlings The Healing Cafe is a vegan juice bar but it is so much more than that – it is a place for the community to heal – to eat well, to learn well, … Continue reading EARTHLINGS, The Healing Cafe review – February 2023
Angered by the injustice I witnessed volunteering with Care4Calais last week, I have written to my MP, Chi Onwurah, and asked her to demand the Home Secretary enable safe passage for unaccompanied child refugees. Feeding people is not a crime. Ensuring people have food and water and basic shelter is to be human. That is … Continue reading “I don’t want to go to Rwanda”: supporting refugees with Care4Calais – 28 July 2022
I could hear the clang of steel against rail, coal loading on the boat, the call of the fish girls on the whale-lit Quayside as Charlie Hardwick’s lyrical Geordie reading skimmed across the turning tides of the Tyne. She was reading from ”Paint Your Town Red” a manifesto for a tried and tested model of … Continue reading Making Hope Possible at Live Theatre – a response
When Sarajane Aris wrote, suggesting her new book might be of value to Further Education professionals and inviting me to share it with colleagues, I had no thought of picking up a pen. The reaction I had took me by surprise; a frustrated anger or angered frustration. The book itself I like very much and … Continue reading Mental Health, Spirituality and Well-being: A Handbook – a response
Speaking on behalf of Socialist Educational Association North at Workers Education Association North East AGM. You can watch here - https://youtu.be/8i28JHsAtk0
Anya Cook Socialist Educational Association national executive, Trade Union activist and currently chairing NE COP26 Coalition It is high time we recognised the inter-connectedness of our planet and our people - we are not separate from it or each other. The 26th United Nations Climate Change Conference COP26 takes place in Glasgow in November. Many … Continue reading Climate Change Education
The go-to education publication TES has announced that it will no longer cover further education from September. No real reason was given , and in stating that journalists had already been reallocated tasks, confirmed this as a done deal. There are other publications, of course, but writing for sector specific audiences only creates an echo … Continue reading WHY HAS THE TES DECIDED NOT TO COVER FURTHER EDUCATION? (Right2_Learn 2 September 2021)
“Sing Out!” Nanci signed in my book as I caught her leaving a gig at Bristol’s Colston Hall in 2000; gracious, kind and very human. She was simply lovely. I did well that evening, acquiring a poster too as the promoters were switching materials. I saw her again at the Royal Albert Hall with the … Continue reading Sing Out! – A Tribute to Nanci Griffith
The go-to education publication TES announced on Twitter last week that it will no longer cover further education from September. No real reason was given and in stating that journalists had already been reallocated tasks, confirmed this as a done deal. There are other publications, of course, but writing for sector specific audiences only creates … Continue reading Response to TES announcement on ending Further Education coverage – 8 August 2021
15/07/2021Opinion/ SEA Posted by Socialist Educational Association Some of the Byker Mutual Aid volunteers I have a friend who declares she is apolitical. She is intelligent, well-read, always learning something, active in community groups and environmental campaigns. Decisions are made that she does not agree with, yet she still declares she is not political? This outward projection … Continue reading “Rooting kindness in 2021: the year of the tree” | North East Byline
Good Afternoon and Welcome. It is with mixed emotions that I welcome you all to our meeting here this afternoon, members and friends. This is the third meeting of our Socialist Educational Association North East branch and it is our first meeting since the unexpected and deeply saddening news two weeks ago of the passing … Continue reading Nigel Todd: In Dedication
https://morningstaronline.co.uk/article/f/join-the-unemployment-fightback PEOPLE’S Assembly North East in partnership with Tyne & Wear County Association of Trades Councils and Durham Trades Council have just launched a short video campaign to highlight the impact of unemployment in the region. North-east England is facing a jobs crisis. Thousands of jobs have been lost, tens of thousands of people are … Continue reading Join The Unemployment Fightback – 27 February 2021
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https://morningstaronline.co.uk/article/f/supporting-memory-late-cllr-bernard-pidcock-caravan-care-convoy Supporting the memory of the late Cllr Bernard Pidcock with a ‘Caravan of Care’ convoy UCU activist ANYA COOK explains how young Labour members will be delivering humanitarian aid to Calais refugees, thanks to the assistance of a sterling local campaigner LAST January I was invited to Blythe Valley’s Constituency Labour Party meeting at … Continue reading “Caravan of Care” 20 January 2020
Writing for the People’s Assembly: https://morningstaronline.co.uk/article/f/universal-credit-oxymoron Universal Credit is an oxymoron. It is only universal if everyone can access it - but what if you don’t speak English or have access to the internet? I work at Newcastle College. On Wednesday last week I spent an hour — a whole hour — on the phone … Continue reading “Universal Credit is an Oxymoron” 2 December 2019
Leading workshop on 'Democratic Local Planning'.... ‘Democratic Local Planning’ is one of the four themes of the New Lucas Plan campaign. The Lucas Plan sets out a plan for human-centred, socially useful production within one organisation, but this approach can be used to produce plans for new jobs for one local area, but it can … Continue reading Engineering for Peace, Jobs and Climate Justice 9 November 2019
Speaking for Newcastle Unites You can watch here - https://www.facebook.com/1332637355/posts/10220806533176473?sfns=mo Thank you for inviting me to speak. Racism, prejudice and intolerance have NO place in this city. I am proud to represent Newcastle Unites here today. I am proud to represent a community organisation that has equality at its core. We campaign against all forms … Continue reading Love Newcastle Hate Racism Saturday 2 November 2019
You can watch here: https://www.facebook.com/100000500624699/posts/2991364537556871?sfns=mo Thank you Brian and Dot for inviting me to speak today. “Women in Trade Unions” was a broad remit and left the door open for me to think what it was that I wanted to say within that. Newcastle University Business School run a series of events each year called Little Heresies … Continue reading “Women in Trade Unions” Bywell and Prudhoe Labour Branches’ Rally Saturday 26 October 2019
I was asked very specifically to talk today about trade unions supporting school strikes. Thank you Alex, for inviting me to speak. UCU, University & College Union is the biggest trade union for education professionals in post-16 education in Europe. I ran a UCU stall at Jamie Driscoll’s ‘Green Industrial Revolution’ event in April this … Continue reading Capitalism and Climate Change – 19 October 2019
My name is Anya Cook, Newcastle North Constituency, University & College Union National Executive and mentor at Newcastle College where I facilitate drop-in sessions with ESOL students. I support this motion. I have worked with women of asylum status or with right to remain who have been trafficked for economic purpose, raped, are trying to … Continue reading Speech to support Motion: Rights of Migrant Women Labour Conference 22 September 2019
Students I bring you greetings of solidarity from UCU - from University and College Union - the trade union that works with teachers and lecturers in colleges and universities. UCU supports you and we are campaigning to take action in support with you, in September. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Please take a lesson and learn from the past. … Continue reading Youth Strike 4 Climate Change – Newcastle 19 July
(Speaking for University & College Union national executive, further education committee) https://www.facebook.com/122098561182392/posts/2391440194248206?s=100000500624699&v=e&sfns=mo I can tell you that UCU’s national executive deplore the scapegoating of migrants and we will continue to challenge all forms of discrimination and we will continue to fight against the politics of austerity and the impacts of it. UCU’s starting point is … Continue reading Conference on Children’s Rights (organised by Roma Access)
(Speaking for UCU nec and Newcastle Unites carnival team) Good Afternoon Newcastle! Welcome - welcome to our Newcastle ‘We have a dream’ carnival. Are you having a good time? Isn’t it great to be here - in Newcastle? And isn’t it great to be here - at The Monument, this symbol of peace and freedom … Continue reading Newcastle Unites – ‘We have a dream’ Unity Carnival 2019
Anya Cook introduces Newcastle Unites, celebrating diversity and equality ON Saturday July 6 Newcastle Unites will be celebrating unity in our community at our second annual Unity Carnival. The event starts with a walk from the multicultural West End of Newcastle and ends in costume, music, dance, theatre and poetry at Grey’s Monument, renowned symbol … Continue reading ‘I have a dream’ Newcastle’s Unity Carnival 2019
Anya Cook UCU National Executive Speaking today for Newcastle Unites Our anti-racist coalition stands for the people of Newcastle ⁃ be they of left or of right ⁃ Be they of binary or non binary ⁃ Be they of faith or of no faith ⁃ And whatever their immigration status We are united against all … Continue reading Together Against Trump – Newcastle Protest 3 June 2019
Born with a golden Wonka Bar ticket in his mouth, Donald Trump is the Augustus Gloop of global politics; stirring centre stage with a big spoon, unable to follow the recipe. This greedy brute may have been able to buy everything he ever wanted - jobs, cars, women, presidency, silence - but he is not … Continue reading Why I Am Protesting Against Donald Trump’s State Visit to the UK in June 2019
Anya Cook Newcastle College Branch Secretary National Executive We have been challenging workload in a systematic campaign since 2014. We have had some wins and our UCU President came to the branch to celebrate with us in 2017. Our Workload Working Group model of working was rolled out nationally by UCU in the national workload … Continue reading Speaking to FE16 Workload and Contact Hours at UCU FE Sector Conference 2019
Tyne and Wear May Day March and Rally 2019 Anya Cook UCU National Executive speaking for Newcastle Unites Good Afternoon. The first thing I want to do is to invite you to the Unity Carnival, Saturday 6th July. It starts with a walk from The Beacon in the West End of Newcastle and ends here, … Continue reading Tyne & Wear May Day March and Rally 2019
The good ship UCU has been without a steer on the wheel since October last year. The imminent election for general secretary presents an opportunity to turn the rudder and plot a new course. Whoever wins is a servant to the union, a servant to masters in both higher and further education. The truth is … Continue reading One Servant, Two Masters (Three Candidates): UCU general secretary election 2019
Good Afternoon Anya Cook UCU National Executive Speaking today for Newcastle Unites I would like to start with a lyric from Akala - he’s a rapper, poet, author, political activist: “Racism, sexism and nationality Just to me it all seems like insanity Why must I rob you of your humanity To feel good about mine?” … Continue reading Solidarity with Christchurch & Bahr Academy. No hate in our beautiful city. (Counter-demonstration against the North East Patriots)
Anya Cook UCU National Executive and Branch Secretary at Newcastle College Chronic underfunding of schools and colleges through privatisation and cuts is leading to failings. In Northumberland, in October, the combined inspection by Ofsted with the Care Quality Commission into SEND failed spectacularly. Their report highlights severe staff shortages, severely overworked staff and gaps in … Continue reading Speech to support NEU’s motion on SEND at #NTUC19
Anya Cook University & College Union National Executive And Branch Secretary at Newcastle College where we had the first Period Poverty campaign at a college in England- launched back in October. Our campaign was funded by our branch and we invited contributions from organisations and colleagues. In February we secured agreement from the principalship to … Continue reading Speaking in support of Unite’s motion on Period Dignity at #NTUC19j
I work in a tight-knit team of supportive colleagues. And I was glad of that warmth when I shared with them my feelings of guilt, my upset, my conscience-wresting this week. Mid-evening outside the bus station in Newcastle, a regular begging patch, I passed a man, a person who looked to be living on the … Continue reading On Housing and Homes
Vote Anya for Hexham Trade Unionist, Socialist, Feminist I am proud to be shortlisted as Labour Candidate MP for Hexham. I hope you will support me to be your MP. If elected, I will work to improve the life chances and conditions of everyone, including those in marginalised groups, isolated or lonely within the constituency. … Continue reading Hexham PLP Candidate Statement
Trade Unions Are Vital Trade unions are the weights and measures of the conditions of employment and are absolutely essential now in these most difficult times. More and more deregulation has resulted in workers’ rights being undermined and the pernicious Trade Union Act 2016 has made it harder and harder for unions to organise and … Continue reading Trade Unions Are Vital
Why Hexham Constituency? I am named after the historical novelist Anya Seton who spent some time living in Northumberland. Two of her books were set here - Katherine about the third wife of John of Gaunt, Duke of Northumberland and Devil Water about the Jacobin Uprising, set between Hexham and Newcastle. It’s a tenuous link … Continue reading Why Hexham?
Quite simply - I was asked. That I was considered by some to be their choice of representative of the people of Hexham, to advocate, challenge and defend, to be their voice in parliament - well that’s a personal win and ‘humbled’ and ‘proud’ don’t cover it. Everything I do in my professional and community … Continue reading Why stand to be Parliamentary Labour Party Candidate for Hexham Constituency?
https://www.facebook.com/122098561182392/posts/2175249769200584?sfns=mo Good evening. My name is Anya – I am a mentor at Newcastle College, I am branch secretary of University and College Union at Newcastle College and I sit on its National Executive. I’m here this evening speaking for Peace & Unity. Thank you for this warm welcome here tonight. The last time … Continue reading Speaking on behalf of Peace & Unity at Newcastle Council of Faiths February 2019
My name is Anya Cook, Newcastle North Constituency, University & College Union National Executive and mentor at Newcastle College. I support this motion. I would add that those of us trade unionists here can work to take the principles of this motion forward in our own workplaces. Women in the workplace, when they disclose they … Continue reading Speech to support Motion: Violence Against Women (not called to speak) Labour Women’s Conference 23 February 2019
Anya Cook sits on University and College Union’s National Executive and Further Education Committee and she is Branch Secretary at Newcastle College where she is employed as a Mentor. In the decade I have been a UCU trade union rep at Newcastle College we haven’t had a women’s officer on the branch. In September we … Continue reading Period Poverty Campaign
""I am seeking re-election to a second term on the NEC. Employed as Mentor at Newcastle College, I deliver academic study skills and pastoral support to FE and HE students. I have 12 years’ experience of working across Entry 3 - Level 7 programmes of academic and vocational study. I am lead caseworker and negotiator … Continue reading UCU NEC Election Address
Why I Am Supporting JD4Mayor I am not going to get into the whys and wherefores of whether the North of Tyne should be devolving - we are where we are. I am not going to get into the whys and wherefores of whether the nominations process for the mayoral election should have been allowed … Continue reading Why I Am Supporting Jamie Driscoll for North of Tyne Mayor
Period Poverty Blythe Valley CLP Meeting Seaton Deleval Wednesday 9 January You can view here: https://www.facebook.com/ucu.nclcoll.branch/videos/142298476646151/ When Janine invited me to speak this evening she wanted me to talk about our Period Poverty Campaign but within the wider context of trade unions and the Labour Party working together. There’s a word for that. … Continue reading Bringing CLPs and Unions Together
(Dedicated to Mr Charisse who died earlier this week – a teacher who looked me straight in the eyes and spoke to me in kindness. I remember his love of Asterix, Franglaise, Dire Straits ‘Money For Nothing’ and, of course, that moustache). You can watch here: https://www.facebook.com/100000500624699/posts/3111511585542165/ People have tried to stop me speaking here, … Continue reading Stand Up For Humanity, Stand Up For Rohingya (North East Solidarity with Rohingya Public Rally Saturday 15 December 2018)
Categorized, Stereotyped, Stigmatised, Marginalised, Deprived, Victimised Dehumanised Robbed, Stripped, Raped Tortured, Dismembered, Discarded Infanticide, Fratricide, Homicide Genocide And in the camps Disenfranchised, Ghettoised Denied. We fail for them, surely, if we neglect to take action? What help for them the eloquence of prayers, or simple benediction? What good to them the warm benevolence of tears … Continue reading The Rohingya – speech to move motion to UCU’s NEC
Making It Better Anya Cook sits on University and College Union’s National Executive and Further Education Committee and she is Branch Secretary at Newcastle College where she is employed as Learning Mentor. Language, Locus and the Law is my alliterative triptych to improve opportunities and reduce barriers to Further Education in an Age of Austerity. … Continue reading Making It Better
Newcastle Unites for our Muslim Sisters Saturday 29 September 2018 Anya Cook UCU National Executive Good afternoon and thank you to Newcastle Unites, to Tony and Shumel for inviting me to speak. I bring greetings of solidarity from University and College Union. I am proud to stand alongside our Muslim sisters who have been targeted … Continue reading Newcastle Unites For Our Muslim Sisters
Many times now, the government has spoken of equality, improvement and empowerment for our Northern Region. From Osborne and his ridiculous, embarrassing and belittling Northern Powerhouse to the Maybot and her current stem of plans and ideas, with as much credibility as a football team's tactics that have been drawn up by a medic. Only in … Continue reading Rohan Cook on Brexit and Breakdowns – a young person’s perspective
Anya Cook sits on UCU's National Executive and Further Education committee and is Branch Secretary at Newcastle College where she is employed as Higher Education Mentor. Here she tells Transforming Lives why we should all rise up and support FE Fights Back, UCU's national campaign on funding and pay. "Never before have I had a … Continue reading Cauldrons of Change – Further Education in England: transforming lives and communities
You deserve to have a representative who knows your job and what you have to do. Anya has worked here for nearly 12 years, through countless restructures, in a cross-college role that takes her into every school … she understands the demands on teaching and support staff. You need a STAFF REP who will take … Continue reading Newcastle College Board Staff Rep – Election Statement – Vote for Anya !!!
The Employee Engagement Blueprint: employee engagement made simple (Emma Alcock) From Emma Alcock I learned a new model of whole person engagement with two emotional elements - Does it connect with me? Does it fire me up? Quite simply yes. Kit and Caboodle it's all here, off-the-shelf for the executive lead - 'why,' 'what' and … Continue reading Book Review – The Employee Engagement Blueprint
Those of us without very strong political leanings are in danger of sleepwalking into being represented by those who have no interest in our views.
Full text of UCU general secretary Sally Hunt's speech to Congress 2018 Source: UCU general secretary Congress 2018 speech
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I have been doing some reflecting. I tell my students that reflection is one of the most difficult things asked of them because it can mean giving way on a position, acknowledging that we are not always right, recognising where we might need to make changes for the better and, in so doing, it challenges … Continue reading A Reflection in Scarlet
To challenge policy and process is legitimate and core to the democratic agency of our trade union. What is not acceptable, however, is the making of unfounded allegations regarding the integrity of our General Secretary and in particular, suggestions of collusion. We are trade unionists. As such we spend much of our time defending our … Continue reading IBL Response To Attacks on UCU General Secretary.
Anya Cook sits on University and College Union’s National Executive and Further Education Committee and she is Branch Secretary at Newcastle College where she is employed as Higher Education Mentor. Here she tells Transforming Lives why she asked UCU to support her motion to lobby for a Royal Commission into Education in England from Cradle … Continue reading The Charge of the Education Brigade
Good Morning Conference. I am Branch Secretary of UCU - University & College Union - at Newcastle College and I am proud to sit on both its National Executive and its Further Education Committee. I would like to thank Tony Dowling and the organisers for inviting me to speak to you here today. Our theme … Continue reading Building Strong Unions Conference #TUC150
I was first asked by a veteran Labour councillor to consider standing as a candidate back in 2007. "I couldn't possibly do that - and there is no way I could go doorknocking". End of conversation. There was no reason for the "I couldn't possibly" other than I had never even considered ... and it … Continue reading “I couldn’t possibly do that!”
Thank you for inviting me to speak. Racism, prejudice and intolerance have NO place in this city. I am proud to represent University and College Union's National Executive here today. I am proud to represent a trade union that, like a stick of Blackpool Rock, has equality at its core. To be tolerant of diversity … Continue reading “Stand up to Racism” Demo
Lessons Learned Anya Cook, Higher Education Mentor, Newcastle College, UCU Branch Secretary, National Executive *some names have been changed Working with young people is challenging and tiring but it can also be rewarding; there is always something more that can be learned and I learn as much from them as I would hope they do … Continue reading Lessons Learned
(Speech to UCU National Executive) I was shopping for a leaving gift for a colleague on my way home from work. It was late, I was tired and not paying attention to the lad on the checkout who was trying to convince me to complete one of those online questionnaires about my ‘experience’ so that … Continue reading The Charge of The Education Brigade (original version)
The information that was released last week, ahead of Newcastle City Council’s Cabinet Meeting at which the parks proposal will be discussed, instigated the decision at the weekend to convene this meeting today. Some of what I say this evening you will have heard me say before – but I believe that some points are … Continue reading Newcastle Parks Forum and Save Our Parks Meeting
The Grenfell fire is totemic of the politics of neo-liberalism and the drive for profit over any other human consideration. As such totem, it is beyond a local issue and is etched on the national consciousness – the refusal to take health and safety seriously, the shear and unnecessary loss of human life, of working … Continue reading Response to Grenfell
Amazon book review for a colleague: "An ocean rich with nutrients" could well describe Patricia Smith's writing. It is, in fact, the opener to the fifth paragraph and a stark reminder of what could be lost through global warming in this imagined apocalypse. Strong characterisation, well-researched science and visually descriptive writing laced with human themes … Continue reading Book Review ‘Distant Suns’ by Patricia Smith
I have been a UCU Rep for 7 years. I am Lead Negotiator and Lead Caseworker and was elected to the position of Branch Chair in 2014 in a climate of serious mistrust between Newcastle College and UCU. I have worked with our Branch to break down barriers that had built up over a long … Continue reading UCU NEC Election Address
Anya Cook Newcastle Parks Forum - Chair The aim of Newcastle Parks Forum is to maintain and improve the quality and access to Newcastle's parks and green spaces for the benefit of and use by the community. The Communities and Local Government Committee has launched an inquiry into the future of public parks. Country parks, … Continue reading CLGC Parks Inquiry – Newcastle Parks Forum Submission August 2016
Mince Pies & Misery This December our UCU Branch at Newcastle College convened an open meeting to discuss George Osborne’s Comprehensive Spending Review and the implications for Further Education. In this democracy, that is our UCU branch – Neal our Branch Secretary said to me, “You can welcome people to our meeting and I’ll do … Continue reading Mince Pies and Misery
From Acorns And Oaks 