A new social centre for Leeds?
leeds arc | 03.05.2004 19:43 | Culture
Do you think Leeds needs a radical space for information, to hang out and to hold meetings and events?
If so come to the next Leeds ARC (Action for Radical Change) meeting on Thursday May 6th 7.30pm at Holy Trinity Church Café on Boar Lane.
Through the Dissent! network (a network of resistance against the G8 - the Group of Eight most industrialised nations, whose 2005 summit will be held in Britain.) cash (max £10 K) may be available for local groups involved in the Dissent! network to set up and run a local Social Centre.
A number of people involved in Leeds ARC (Leeds’ Dissent! info point) have been discussing whether to open a rented social centre in Leeds. If this is to happen it will need to involve as many people as possible in the process right from the start deciding exactly what the project is, finding a building, plus organising and running of the centre. We hope for a radical space, 'owned' by many people and groups, beyond Leeds ARC, who we see as a facilitator in getting this idea off the ground.
At our last meeting we brainstormed some ideas of our vision for a social centre, which included an autonomous space, not focused on consumerism, which presents people with alternatives. It could include a café, library, info space, food coop, a large room (for meetings, gigs, workshops etc), a free shop, office space, creche, health space and garden. Obviously a lot of this will depend on the people involved and the space it ends up in.
We decided that we need a big meeting of everyone who might want to be involved in a social centre in Leeds, and decide how to move forward from here.
So come along and lets talk about what kind of a social centre you think Leeds needs and get involved...
If so come to the next Leeds ARC (Action for Radical Change) meeting on Thursday May 6th 7.30pm at Holy Trinity Church Café on Boar Lane.
Through the Dissent! network (a network of resistance against the G8 - the Group of Eight most industrialised nations, whose 2005 summit will be held in Britain.) cash (max £10 K) may be available for local groups involved in the Dissent! network to set up and run a local Social Centre.
A number of people involved in Leeds ARC (Leeds’ Dissent! info point) have been discussing whether to open a rented social centre in Leeds. If this is to happen it will need to involve as many people as possible in the process right from the start deciding exactly what the project is, finding a building, plus organising and running of the centre. We hope for a radical space, 'owned' by many people and groups, beyond Leeds ARC, who we see as a facilitator in getting this idea off the ground.
At our last meeting we brainstormed some ideas of our vision for a social centre, which included an autonomous space, not focused on consumerism, which presents people with alternatives. It could include a café, library, info space, food coop, a large room (for meetings, gigs, workshops etc), a free shop, office space, creche, health space and garden. Obviously a lot of this will depend on the people involved and the space it ends up in.
We decided that we need a big meeting of everyone who might want to be involved in a social centre in Leeds, and decide how to move forward from here.
So come along and lets talk about what kind of a social centre you think Leeds needs and get involved...
Do you think Leeds needs a radical space for information, to hang out and to hold meetings and events?
If so come to the next Leeds ARC (Action for Radical Change) meeting on Thursday May 6th 7.30pm at Holy Trinity Church Café on Boar Lane.
Through the Dissent! network (a network of resistance against the G8 - the Group of Eight most industrialised nations, whose 2005 summit will be held in Britain.) cash (max £10 K) may be available for local groups involved in the Dissent! network to set up and run a local Social Centre.
A number of people involved in Leeds ARC (Leeds’ Dissent! info point) have been discussing whether to open a rented social centre in Leeds. If this is to happen it will need to involve as many people as possible in the process right from the start deciding exactly what the project is, finding a building, plus organising and running of the centre. We hope for a radical space, 'owned' by many people and groups, beyond Leeds ARC, who we see as a facilitator in getting this idea off the ground.
At our last meeting we brainstormed some ideas of our vision for a social centre, which included an autonomous space, not focused on consumerism, which presents people with alternatives. It could include a café, library, info space, food coop, a large room (for meetings, gigs, workshops etc), a free shop, office space, creche, health space and garden. Obviously a lot of this will depend on the people involved and the space it ends up in.
We decided that we need a big meeting of everyone who might want to be involved in a social centre in Leeds, and decide how to move forward from here.
So come along and lets talk about what kind of a social centre you think Leeds needs and get involved...
If so come to the next Leeds ARC (Action for Radical Change) meeting on Thursday May 6th 7.30pm at Holy Trinity Church Café on Boar Lane.
Through the Dissent! network (a network of resistance against the G8 - the Group of Eight most industrialised nations, whose 2005 summit will be held in Britain.) cash (max £10 K) may be available for local groups involved in the Dissent! network to set up and run a local Social Centre.
A number of people involved in Leeds ARC (Leeds’ Dissent! info point) have been discussing whether to open a rented social centre in Leeds. If this is to happen it will need to involve as many people as possible in the process right from the start deciding exactly what the project is, finding a building, plus organising and running of the centre. We hope for a radical space, 'owned' by many people and groups, beyond Leeds ARC, who we see as a facilitator in getting this idea off the ground.
At our last meeting we brainstormed some ideas of our vision for a social centre, which included an autonomous space, not focused on consumerism, which presents people with alternatives. It could include a café, library, info space, food coop, a large room (for meetings, gigs, workshops etc), a free shop, office space, creche, health space and garden. Obviously a lot of this will depend on the people involved and the space it ends up in.
We decided that we need a big meeting of everyone who might want to be involved in a social centre in Leeds, and decide how to move forward from here.
So come along and lets talk about what kind of a social centre you think Leeds needs and get involved...
leeds arc
Comments
Hide the following 2 comments
What is really meant by the term 'Social Centre'?
07.05.2004 14:44
Firstly I think the concept is an outstanding idea and long overdue. More importantly however, I would like to express my concern regarding some individuals definition, if you will, of what a social centre actually represents. I have been dissapointed to learn that the main purpose of this centre will be for political discussions. I am of the same age group of the persons holding these discussions but am more concerned with social change rather than discussing politics. In order to achieve this change the entire community must be involved. Even though those that wish to discuss politics are a major part of the community so are people that do not remotely care about the subject. The community includes children, youths, students, elderly people, places of work. Exactly which parts of this porposed social centre will cater for the needs of this half of the community. I say 'half' as the notion of community already seems to have become divided by the persons making the proposal, which I think you will agree, completely condraticts the term Social Centre. If we are going to have a social centre in Leeds surely the first step is to advertise discussion groups far more widely. Are our local schools, day care centres, universities aware of this proposal? Most people I have talked to do not know the first thing about it. Social Centre indeed.
Charlotte
e-mail:
chuckstermeister@yahoo.com
definition defined
26.11.2004 16:02
the term i think is a european definition asb the term social brings thoughts of red terror to the powerful elites as the term free and action or militant. here we have community centres in britain, largely understaffed and insufficient for the needs of the community at large whether elderly young or disabled single mums or tired shoppers the space to rest, put your feet up and listen to something interesting other than the sound of the spin dryer is a crying need to all areas.
the get rich quicker generation of yuppies are busy buying property and spaces in the inner cities and bringing their own vacuous greed orientated selfih culture, ambitious jones v jones philosophy pure americana or dreaming of californicating with the neighbour.
as an alternative socil space and with it the task of organising for the community at large social strikes as in Italy for the illegals without opassports the voice of the voiceless setting up radios to bring alternatives to drab mindless monotony of everday wallop anticapitalist zones and the need for a clear unconsumer orientated, no sell sell or buy buy space, is critical for activist too..the community will not spontaneously evolve into occupying renting or hiring a venue, as anyone who has put on an event organised a gig or benefit or some action against the staus quo knows.
the reality is the legal power is on he side of the money and bent councils predominate doing shady deals with gangster landlords in a new scramble for profit in post industrial northern cities especially Liverpool, which has a rich history of struggle but a social centre phobia at the moment,ironically we have radical artists coming to the town to discuss the need for artists feespace etc culture blah blah but in the words of joe hill when you ask them for the keys to the building, "they will answer in words oh so sweet you cant have them its illegal you can have the pie in the sky when you die so fuck off poor types" we are are here to exercise our ego because we cant colonise the globe and we dont like the army.
but enough of the city of culture a national network of social centres to build an alternative utopian society is possible and indeed necessary not in fields of mud away from it all at pagan festivals but in the occupied city of people, that we all live in, it just takes a little thought a little imagination and some fierce arguements about who breaks in first, whether to go at daytime or evening ,go public straight away or quietly does it ....the point is revolution is a change everyday every little change adds up to a big change and when people ask for change instead of sorry mate im busted too, we can say come on in ..theres warm free food to eat and for thought for all of you,freeedom is in here and you are all welcome come one and come all...
start the revolution in the community they will vote with their feet, if it likes you your on, if it dont.... dont despair or wrack your brains,remember pioneer spirit is needed one step forward two steps on the skipping ropes then back into the ring and dance the bold dance of life and death....you dont know what is possible till you try it..
i hope this has completely clarified the issue eternally if not provoked a thought in some leaden brows.
johno