Here are dates for your diary and news updates following our meeting last week in The Cornubia. Contact Richard L if you can help with any of the forthcoming events!
Notes from Bristol East Greenpeace Meeting, Thurs. 9th August 2012, held at The Cornubia
Welcome from Facilitator Richard B
Attendees: Carol, Cordelia, Fi, Ian, Lauren, Laurence, Malcolm (from GPUK), Mark I, Mark U, Natasha, Paul, Richard B, Sue
Apologies: Richard L, Iain
Report on activities since last meeting.
Shell Week was an international effort to protest against Shell’s intentions to drill in the Arctic. It started off on the first weekend with a team from the Netherlands who occupied Shell’s International Headquarters in The Hague.
16th July - Shut Down Shell Action (London and Edinburgh)
Six members of the group were in involved in this action which resulted in 78 Shell garages being shut down by 14 roving teams in London and Edinburgh. Those involved recounted their experiences of the action which was relayed by 12 hours of live TV streamed from GPHQ. Congratulations to those who took part for their excellent contributions to the day. It was noted that some national newspapers featured the action. Click here for more…
20th July - #Tell Shell
Pressure on Shell continued later in the week with a request for activists to phone Shell’s Customer Services telephone lines to register their concern over Shell’s intention to explore for oil in the Arctic’s pristine environment. There were some reports of engaged lines when activists called which indicated that the action had some success. In most cases, callers were referred to Shell’s Arctic webpage.
21st July - Shell Day Action
The culmination of the week involved nearly 500 people attending lawful protests at some 57 Shell garages in the UK. Local Greenpeace supporters and subscribers had been emailed from GPHQ and the action organised against the outlet at Arnos Vale encouraged a fantastic response from 35 volunteers of all ages. Quite a few of those attending had not been involved in direct action before and some have since indicated that they would like to take part in more events. The response from passing traffic had been very supportive. As a result of the good response to the campaign, a second Shell Day is being organised. Click here for more…
26th July - Fish Fight filming of Series 2 at Weston-super-Mare
Sue, Carol, Fi and Rich B spent the day on Weston sands drumming up a crowd and helping out at the filming of the second series of Fish Fight which will be aired in the Autumn. The aim of the event was to demonstrate the destruction wreaked on the sea bed by fishing methods such as scallop dredgers and beam trawlers. Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall used the event to call for the Government to agree to the Marine Protected areas that have been put forward and recommended. . Click here for more…
5th Aug - Amnesty Garden Party, Goldney Hall
Carol, Lauren and Rich B braved the wet weather to campaign for Save the Arctic with the ‘official’ polar bear costume from GPUK. The costume proved to be a good draw, but quite hot and sweaty to wear! Click here for more…
Future Activities and Possibilities
10th/11th August - Arctic Campaigning at Bristol Zoo
Fi confirmed that the Zoo had agreed to the Friday and Saturday dates and would put up a gazebo for the group to operate from. Malcolm introduced us briefly to a latest way of capturing signatures using ipads. It would be much more instantaneous and efficient in getting details from supporters. He congratulated the group for making the initial link with Bristol Zoo as it appears that Greenpeace is liaising with the Zoos nationally for future campaigning next year.
Rich B reported that the latest number of ‘Save the Arctic’ signatures had reached over 1,350,000. Malcolm mentioned that the new target of 2m international sign ups is likely to be raised again to 5m! This event has now happened, click here for more…
18th August - CFP street survey at College Green
Our survey work would coincide with a visit from the Cultural Olympiad’s life size bouncy Stonehenge. Those interested included Loz, Lauren, Ian, Carol, Natasha, Stacey and Sue. Contact Carol caroldurrant@hotmail.com to join in. Click here for more…
27th Aug - Newlyn Fish Festival
Richard and Carol are managing this ‘ask’ from the Oceans Team to campaign on CFP at a major festival on the Bank Holiday. Sue may be in the area to help out. Greenpeacers from Falmouth are attending also. Click here for more…
1st Sept - Arctic campaigning at the Harbourside
This was going to be a CFP street survey event. Malcolm suggested that as we had possession of ipads and polar bear costume it may make sense to capitalise on those resources and undertake Arctic campaigning. Rich B would contact the Harbourside to book a stall. Those interested included Rich B, Lauren, Paul, Loz, Ian, Carol, Mark and Paul - email Richard.baxter200@virgin.net – Note Rich B is back from holiday on 27th Aug and will co-ordinate then. Click here for more…
15th Sept - Energy Bill street campaigning in Chippenham
Only a select few groups had been approached to target Lib Dem constituencies to get public support for a more robust Energy Bill that will be going through Parliament this Autumn. The original coalition plans seem to be undermined by the Treasury and so pressure on Lib Dem MPs is aimed to get a better deal negotiated. It would involve car and train transport – expenses available to claim. Suggested we involve Bath members if possible. Click here for more…
29th Nov - Wiltshire College Carbon Roadshow, Lackham
Bristol East members have attended this event in past years. Deferred to next meeting for a decision but if no interest then we will offer the date to the Salisbury group.
Any Other Business
New Meeting Venue
The Friends Meeting House in River Street may only be available on the 3rd Thursday of the month. Malcolm remarked that this may be too late in the month to act on campaigns and information from GPUK. The situation on availability for 1st or 2nd Thursday in month would be clarified by the next meeting so it was decided to hold the 13th September meeting at the Cornubia. Click here for more…
Post-meeting update: Friends Meeting House is available 2nd Thursday of the month from 11th October 2012.
Dates for NVDA and Political Training
NVDA Training is being held in Bristol on Saturday 27th October. Those interested need to contact nvdatraining.uk@greenpeace.org
The next political lobbying training date is Saturday 8th September in London. Register online at www.greenpeace.org.uk/lobbying
Digital Development
For the fifth month running the Bristol East webpage has been one of the top three local group webpages visited. Well done to all who help keep it fresh and current.
Brisfest – 22nd /23rd Sept
The idea of a stall at Brisfest music festival at Ashton Court was floated. It was felt that the pressure of time and the commitment to man a stall over the weekend would be too much.
Date of Next Meeting
Thursday 13th September – Cornubia, 7.30pm for 8.00pm start – Richard L to chair
Comments