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Oxford social centre - photos and first events!

cheesy bouncy dancefish | 15.08.2011 23:47 | Culture | Free Spaces | Social Struggles | Oxford

A massive industrial building in East Oxford has been squatted for use as a social centre. Some photos, updates and details of our first few events.

The view from the road outside
The view from the road outside

Inside the courtyard
Inside the courtyard

The fire escape: sunbathing space for the local cat
The fire escape: sunbathing space for the local cat

Ground floor main space
Ground floor main space

Large and plenty of light; will be great for events
Large and plenty of light; will be great for events

Second floor - cosy sleeping space
Second floor - cosy sleeping space

Third floor - more cosy snoozespots
Third floor - more cosy snoozespots

From upper floors you can get good views of the gate
From upper floors you can get good views of the gate

...and the yard
...and the yard

This ivy in the kitchen had grown THROUGH the window putty into the building!
This ivy in the kitchen had grown THROUGH the window putty into the building!

You also get a good view of the gate from the kitchen
You also get a good view of the gate from the kitchen


I'm quite tired so I won't give a detailed update. Things were a lot calmer today. A brief visit from the owner, but nothing major. No more cop hassle. We got a lot of constructive stuff done and are gradually making the place more habitable, more social, and more defendable.

Not pictured in these photos are the 'kitchen' and the darker downstairs middle rooms.

Events:

We decided to have an 'open session' every day 5pm-7pm. People are welcome to visit at other times of the day (within reason, obviously!) but we aim to make that a very socialable slot when lots of people will be around. A chance to come and chat, meet others, discuss ideas for projects that could happen here, or help out with jobs that need doing.

We also decided to have a practical meeting every evening around 8pm, at least for the first week or so, to talk about any issues that come up and organise stuff that needs doing.

This Saturday will be a work day when people are encouraged to come along and help improve the space. Times and details TBC.

This Sunday we will have a community meal, open to all, free of charge (we may ask for donations). Times and details TBC.


Come out and play! The potential of this space is inspiring!

cheesy bouncy dancefish

Additions

weekend events update

18.08.2011 14:06

Slight change of plan: the work day will still be on Sat, but we'll have the
meal on Sat eve instead of Sun, and then have workshops/discussions on Sun...

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Saturday 20th Aug - 11am-6pm
Collective work day
Cleaning, decorating, fortifying the place together.
You could bring:
-nice throws/fabric
-decent wood for building
-furniture (chairs, sofas)
-anything useful you can think of
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Saturday 20th Aug - 6pm onwards (food at 6:30pm)
Community meal
Tasty vegan food for free/donation + interesting company!
[Contact oxsquat at riseup.net if you want to help cook].
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Sunday 21st Aug - 12pm-4pm
Free University
A day of workshops, skill-sharing and discussions.
[If you have an idea for a workshop you want to run,
bring it on the day or contact oxsquat at riseup.net].
-----------------------------------------------------------

Sam McSpam Cobwebby-Hair

Comments

Display the following 9 comments

  1. link to previous report — linker
  2. Nice one...but the sink needs pruning — The Former Mister T.....
  3. looks great! — riku
  4. What's a social centre? — Arun
  5. Re: What's a social centre? — scroogler
  6. Wow — Sheffield Anarchist Bookfair
  7. Disengaged from the state? — Ian
  8. re: Disengaged from the state? — Me
  9. re. re disengagement from the state — Ian