“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
When I resigned my national and local trade union roles with UCU last autumn I knew that there was more that I wanted to do. I found myself with much more time but also with much more head space as the clouds of casework, campaigns, complaints, conciliations and confidences, cleared. My sky bluer, I looked … Continue reading On Making Lemonade
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
