The EASF was formed 2 years ago as a network for activists working for social change, environmental issues, peace; trade unionists, local campaigners, those fighting to retain and improve our public services - issues of particular interest to the residents of East Anglia.

Meetings are held every 2 months, in various regional venues, from Colchester to Norwich and towns inbetween. There are usually two sessions of discussion on focussed topics and one dedicated to updates from groups, as well as informal networking at tea-breaks (read: tea and biscuit and cake breaks).

This time one session will have an environmental theme, and the second one will be on the Public Services crisis, looking at pensions in particular.

For the first session we hope to have a series of short update slots from around the region, where people can showcase their 'green' or sustainable campaigns and initiatives. So far we hope to hear from NON25 - against the Northern Distributor Road; a land co-op in Norfolk who are building a straw bale sustainable 'home'-educational centre, Shut Down Sizewell, how to create a community garden...please contact us if you want to contribute a talk, or know of someone else who does. This will be a good opportunity to find out what is happening in the area, and to ask questions of groups participating in environmental projects. There will be a number of information stalls present, plus a Swapshop - bring leaflets or posters!

Coming after a predicted one-day strike over the pensions issue, the next session will bring the facts of the pensions situation to the fore, and be a chance to discuss what exactly the people of Ipswich and East Anglia want to do about it.A shop steward from the Endeavour House (Suffok County Council offices) branch of UNISON will be speaking on the recent strikes and cancelled strikes, and describing the situation both inside the union rank and file and the executive. An open debate will follow.

At the end of the afternoon there will be an open networking session for groups to announce events, tell of recent activities and successes, suggest new intitiatives, and feedback on the forum.

Please publicise this event by putting it up online, in newsheet listings, word of mouth etc.
See you there!

Ipswich EASF Working Group

CAB is opposite St Mary Le Tour church, a few minutes walk from either bus station; Tower Ramparts or the Cattle Market, and about 15 minutes walk from the railway station. In the rail station forecourt, you can get an Ipswich Buses (green) bus to Tower Ramparts bus station, and from there the CAB is just round the corner.