UK UK Newswire Archive
St Pauls Carnival - a brief history
29-06-2010 11:22
A look at the history of St Pauls CarnivalChloe Banks looks forward to Bristol's historic St Pauls Carnival with a brief history of the event.
Chloe Banks looks forward to Bristol's historic festival with a brief history of the event.
The St Pauls Afrikan Caribbean Carnival is one of Britain's best-loved and most vibrant celebrations. In 2008, over 65,000 people were attracted to this diverse area of central Bristol to experience the stunning costumes, sensational sounds and sparkling atmosphere. One can't help but wonder what the original inhabitants of the area would make of the sunshine shenanigans.
The transformation of St. Pauls from its beginnings could hardly be more marked. The St. Pauls of today has a bit of a Jekyll-and-Hyde personality. Mention its name to an outsider and they may whisper words of riots and drug-dealing, talk to a resident and they will tell you of community-spirit and creativity.
Its architecture is equally two-faced: behind all the modern concrete and eye-catching street art, you can still catch glimpses of the original splendour of the Georgian buildings. Indeed, St. Pauls was originally one of the most luxurious and wealthy parts of the city; a prime choice for a merchant's family home. And, like much of Bristol, that luxury was built on the profits from the slave trade. An irony that is hard to miss on the first weekend of July, when Carnival rolls into town.
St Pauls Carnival took on its current name in 1991, having started life, 43 years previously, as the St. Pauls Festival. The initial idea was to create an event to help improve relationships between the European, African, Caribbean and Asian inhabitants of the area. The shift from wide multiculturalism to a more concentrated African Caribbean focus began in 1975, when the Trinidadian, Francis Salandy, took over the organisation. Fortunately this shift, and the subsequent move from 'festival' to 'carnival', has not changed the inclusive feel of this annual event for people of all ages and backgrounds...
Continued on www.guide2bristol.com
Growing Concern
29-06-2010 11:07
The financial outlook for UK is not looking good.Mainstream press and in-depth analysis paint a worrying picture.
Letter To George Osbourne
29-06-2010 10:23
Chancellor of the Exchequer 11 Downing Street London England 24th June 2010 Dear George Osbourne It has come to my attention that while many of my friends and I were at the funeral of our good friend Paul Reekie (aged 48) it would appear that you were giving a speech in Parliament announcing your intentions [...]
Next Foie Gras Target Released - 1885 The Restaurant
29-06-2010 10:03
FOIE GRAS? NO TA!Call out for Queer Workshops
29-06-2010 08:22
The Queer In/Visible Academy organizes a weekend of workshops and discussions in the end of August or early September.
The event will coincide with Hackney Pride which is a non-commercial protest organized in response to the recent queer-bashings.
Our aim is to link our experiences, queer theory and queer activism.
We invite people of all shapes and colours to run workshops on various queer related topics.
If you have any special creative or practical skills to share you are welcome as well.
If you are interested in running a workshop, or would like to be involved in other ways get in touch with us on qia@riseup.net
Jack Straw war criminal cornered and covered in ketchup
28-06-2010 23:46
Jack been blooded with mcdonalds ketchupUnited for Human Rights Celebrates Juneteenth
28-06-2010 23:02
Slavery stills exists: it’s human trafficking.EDO decommissioners verdict imminent
28-06-2010 22:48
The judge has started his summing up of the EDO decommissioners court case.Bristol anarchist bookfair organising meeting
28-06-2010 22:22
Still plenty to do - come along and help!Regular meeting of the bookfair collective organising this years Bristol anarchist bookfair, which will take place on 11 September at Hamilton House on Stokes Croft.
The collective would welcome a few new extra people on board this year as we are a bit stretched. If you have the spare time, energy & enthusiasm then come along and help out - tonights meeting is from 7 to 9pm at Kebele social centre, 14 Robertson Rd, Bristol BS5 6JY.
On the agenda - all things, matters and ideas involved in putting on the bookfair.
Guardian Journalist Assaulted by Canadian Police
28-06-2010 20:39
"Grabbed my arms, they yanked back. My notepad went flying. I was hit in the stomach by one officer as I was held by two others. As I was going over, I was then hit in the back and went down. After I went down and as I went down, I smacked my leg. I had officers jump on top of me. I was being hit in the back. My face was being pushed to the concrete. All the time I’m saying, "I’m not resisting arrest. I’m a journalist. Why are you beating me?" My leg was lifted up, and my ankle was twisted, from while I was on the ground not resisting. And at that point, after I started saying these things, the police then started saying, "Stop resisting arrest," as if to try and provide cover for themselves."Football, the opium of the masses
28-06-2010 18:39
Ya Basta is a collective of writers writing about a range of issues from alternative angles. If you want to become a contributor, please get in touch.City Council to debate Mavi Marmara attack
28-06-2010 18:22
A motion condemning the attacks on the Gaza Aid Ship, the Mavi Marmara, will be debated at the full Council Meeting this Tuesday.Members of local organisations including Bristol-Gaza-Link, the Palestine Solidarity Campaign, and the Bristol Turkish Community are also planning submission to the meeting.
Vigil outside the main entrance of the Council House on College Green from 5.30pm onwards.
The meeting itself starts at 6pm
Please bring placards and flags etc
Full text of the motion:-
9. MOTIONS [CPR 2.1(2)(xi)] A COUNCILLOR J KIELY TO MOVE:
This Council notes the long standing links between Bristol and the people of Palestine through a range of organisations and activities over many years; therefore Council condemns the brutal attack on the ships of the Freedom Flotilla, in international waters, by the Israeli military on Monday 31 May 2010.
This was a convoy of ships delivering vital humanitarian aid to the people of Gaza. At least nine human rights activists were killed and dozens more injured. Two Bristol citizens, Sakir Yildirim and Cliff Hanley were on one of the ships carrying aid to Gaza. We welcome the statement in the Queen's Speech that the UK Government will “continue to work for a two-state solution that sees a viable Palestinian state existing in peace and security alongside Israel,” but call on the Government to hold Israel to account for this illegal action and to ensure that future convoys from Bristol and elsewhere are able to deliver humanitarian aid without fear of an Israeli army attack.
Council expresses its support for:
The demand of Turkish Prime Minister Erdogan for a prompt, independent and international investigation into the Israeli attack The UK Government to put Pressure on Israel to end the illegal blockade of Gaza and its military occupation of Palestinian land.
Sanctions be imposed on Israel until it complies with international law and ceases perpetrating human rights abuses.
An immediate suspension of the EU-Israel Association Agreement on human rights grounds. An immediate two-way arms embargo between the UK and Israel. Such an embargo would send a clear message to Israel that its actions are unacceptable.
Council requests the Leader of Council to write to the Prime Minister and Deputy Prime Minister in support of the above demands and further requests that the Government issues a blanket exemption to all public bodies to allow them to dis-invest in Countries that flout international law in the above manner.
See http://www.bristol.gov.uk/item/committeecontent/?ref=ta...te=00
Italy: Mobilisations against Centres of Identification and Expulsion of Migrants
28-06-2010 17:33
Demos, protests and direct action for the closure of CIE's in ItalyUnarmed Forces Day, Five Day Peace Walk. London - Pictures.
28-06-2010 16:45
March against Mavi Marmara Massacre 5th June, London
28-06-2010 16:30
The march through London to the Israeli Embassy in response to the massacre aboard the Mavi Marmara.'Just Do It: Get Off Your Arse and Change the World': A Film
28-06-2010 16:09
Oppose The EDL in Liverpool this Wednesday Lunchtime
28-06-2010 16:03
Palestien Today 06 28 2010
28-06-2010 14:25
Masked intruders storm and sabotage UN Gaza kids' camp
28-06-2010 14:15
No claim of responsiblity yet, but Islamists suspected.Maggots & Men
28-06-2010 13:22
Film ScreeningA re-imaging of the Kronsdat sailors uprising with a twist of gender anarchy.
Friday the 9th of july at The Factory 2-8 Cave st, Bristol, BS2 8RU.
CAFE from 7pm.
Film at 8pm