Several members of Bristol East were involved throughout a weekend of Greenpeace activity in Exeter earlier this month.
A VW film night was organised for the Friday night and Natasha valiantly donned the Stormtrooper outfit for the evening. We had fun drumming up support for the evening on the streets of Exeter. It was encouraging to see about 30 local supporters enjoying the film shorts and engaging afterwards in enthusiastic chat. We also had a chance to see the brand new documentary that charts the 40 years of Greenpeace.
Seven members (Rich L, Carol, Cordelia, Sue, Lauren, Loz and Rich B) attended the Skill Share on the Saturday, where Malcolm Carroll confirmed how Greenpeace UK was adapting to the new world order both here and abroad. Globally there will be a shift of resources to expand into China, India, Russia, Brazil and Africa where environmental activism needs to be developed. At home local groups are being asked to develop new groups in the area. Bristol East (along with Salisbury) is taking on the challenge to establish a new Taunton area group. Other groups were tasked to start branches in Plymouth, and Bournemouth/Poole.
In the coming year we can expect campaigns on the Polar Regions (White), Oceans (Blue), Oil and Energy (Black) and Rainforests (Green). The South West is going to be strategically placed for two up and coming campaigns. So watch this space!
It was also a chance to encourage members to get involved with their local websites. These are available 24/7 whereas local branches may only be visible in the community at various times throughout a typical month. There were a couple of issues to raise with Head Office over making the websites more effective in grabbing the attention of users and potential new members. During the day some of those attending declared their 'green' resolution for 2012 - see video below.
Overall the day was very worthwhile and I think that those attending returned to thier groups enthused and ready to continue the good work already undertaken in the South West district.
On the cold Sunday morning, Carol and Richard B took part in a couple of hours of street campaigning against VW with the aim to invigorate a new Exeter branch. With two Stormtroopers in action we caused a good degree of interest. Retiring to a local coffee shop to warm up it was clear there was enthusiasm to make a group work in the area. We wish them well.
Many thanks to Malcolm, Dave and Wilf for their work in making the weekend a success.
Photos of the weekend can be found on the group's Flickr site. Click here. Below is a video that includes the 'green' resolutions that members from the South West promised to keep over 2012 (along with images from the weekend). We will be checking if they were successful!! Also on the Bristol YouTube site is a new video of Brian the Stormtrooper's exploits in Exeter - click here to enjoy.
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