This week was a working group meeting. This meant that our overall meeting time was shorter and without many announcements so we could spend most of our time in working groups that we were interested in.
There were groups for deep adaption, wellbeing, communications, inclusivity and direct actions.
Deep adaption is a new working group for Stroud XR focusing on how we as a group could step up to help our community with the immediate after effects of a climate emergency (such as the floods in 2007) or other such activity.
The inclusion group is also new, and facilitated by Anna (an independent observer of our meeting). The inclusion group focuses on how we can encourage more people from any sort of background to our meetings and actions (including those from marginalised groups). So that we are aware of people’s various needs and the actions and language we need to use in order to bring more people to XR.
Inclusion will hold another meeting next week where they will outline the issues that exist within our group and the work that will be involved in researching the people who might want to join us.
Meeting format
We also discussed how the meeting format may change in the coming weeks. Future meetings will alternative between socials and training sessions (one week) and working groups and strategy the following week.
Next weeks meeting will also be a working group and strategy session.
There has been some discussion about reducing the number of meetings we have, but almost everyone seemed to prefer having a weekly meeting.
Announcements
5th December – Landwise ‘Food vision for the future’ – come and find out what we’ve been doing, and help build a vision for how the district might feed us all.
Tree Planting (Stroud Valleys Project) – Environmental charity Stroud Valleys Project (SVP) is launching a new tree planting project this winter called ‘Wild About Trees’. SVP wants to raise £10,000 from local people to plant 1,000 trees around the district. There are several ways to get involved. People can donate £10 towards planting a tree, individuals or a group can sign up to take part in planting by contacting SVP and will be kept informed of opportunities by email. If you want to find out more, contact: info@stroudvalleysproject.org
Following on from the packed Stroud Climate Hustings on 19th Cheltenham XR are planning a climate hustings. Details to follow.
If you haven’t already seen it XR have produced an Election Rebellion Kitlist there’s a link to it on the XR UK Newletter here: check it out.
Last weeks meeting focused on reviewing and debriefing from the October rebellion and sharing within groups what went well about the rebellion, what didn’t go so well and what actions we needed to take forward into future rebellions.
This week we discussed these solutions and in four groups prioritised the three to four main areas of focus. These will be circulated then they are typed up and prepared.
There was also a discussion about how best to continue our meeting format to give working groups and affinity groups enough time
Coordinators are still needed to help organise our Wednesday meetings if we wish for them to continue in their current format.
Next week
From next week will split out into working groups again. There will be new working groups focusing on inclusivity (called XR Together) and another for deep adaptation. These are being created from clear feedback from crew members post rebellion.
Bev raised a proposal to create a community emergency plan (similar to the ones used in this weeks UK floods) so we can organise to help Stroud in an emergency caused by the climate emergency.
Ames also suggested the idea for providing Christmas XR hampers and community food hubs to help in the lead up to Christmas.
Similarly, there are opportunities to help with XRmas (an alternative Christmas)
Please seek out the working group for these in future if you’d like to help with these areas.
Announcements
There is an XR hunger strike happening, join the South west telegram broadcast for more information.
There is a heading for extinction talk happening in Evesham at the unitarian church there on Thursday 21st at 7pm.
The first XR Stroud Samba band meeting will be at the beacon at 7pm on Tuesday 19th November.
There are still Stroud District climate emergency leaflets at the beacon for pickup if you still wish to help give out leaflets or deliver to your street. Simply sign the book that’s there with where you want to deliver.
Stroud Labour party have asked if there are any individuals who would like to appear in a video about climate breakdown. Please contact us if interested.
XR hustings for Stroud is happening at the Sub rooms on Tuesday 19th November at 7pm to 9pm . This will feature all candidates as is organised in conjunction with Greenpeace.
More people are needed for arrestee support using PALS (Post Arrest, Liaison Support) where people who have been arrested are paired with a support person over the phone. Training is provided, and it’s a great way to support XR from home. Please contact us if interested.
If you are not on the arrestee list for XR Stroud please get in touch so that XR Stroud legal can help support you.
On the above link you’ll find the latest update on the action plan for next week, understanding your rights, what essential gear to bring as well as an FAQ page, and more.
Whatever happens next week, we’re here for each other.
Whatever happens, we’re here for the best reasons in the world.
Helpers for The Beacon
The Beacon has been open for two months, and has been a runaway success. We need more helpers to join our lovely team of volunteers at 20 Kendrick Street. Activities would include hosting the meet and greet desk, and listening to the stories people bring in.
Also being a message hub for all the wonderful people who are part of these movements. It’s a great opportunity to make new friends and get involved more with the vital work being created here. Shifts would be 10-1 or 1-4 Monday to Saturday, ideally a regular commitment, as much or as little as you can offer.
The sanctuary at the Beacon is creating a map of regeneration spaces. If you have an indoor or outdoor space (e.g. cabin with heating, woodland), that you would like to offer a rebel to rest, reground, regenerate in, please contact us, this is needed 10 – Midnight 7th – 28th October.
We can link you up to a lift home from bus/train station also sign post you to therapies (bodywork, counselling, etc) offer warm space, hot food, listening ear.
We have many people involved in Sanctuary but the more the merrier. So if you find yourself wanting to offer support to hold space in Beacon, offer lifts home to rebels, offer holistic therapies, talking therapies, financial donations to cover costs at Beacon (Kendrick Street, next to Made in Stroud), drop into Beacon 10 – Midnight 7th – 28th or contact us.
Regular announcements
26 October 11am – Critical mass cycle ride Cheltenham– hope to provide more info in due course
Heartfulness Meditation will be available at the Beacon this weekend – Friday and Saturday.
Saturday 28 September – Grief tending in the community at Hawkwood CSA Roundhouse – 1.30 to 5pm. There are four spaces available. Contact Mari cost £20 / concessions.
Sunday 29 September – Glos co-ordinators meeting 7 to 9pm Cheltenham Unitarian Church
Monday 30 Sept 4 to 6pm at the Beacon – Jo McAndrews teaching songs for the rebellion.
Monday 30 September 6.30 – 8pm at the Beacon- “Declaring your own rebellion” – supportive email/letter writing space to tell friends and family you are in XR and why.
Tuesday 1 October 6.30 – 10pm – Non Violent Direct Action (NVDA) training, venue to be confirmed. Co-trainers to support – meet up from 4pm and participants leading to becoming an NVDA trainer. Contact us if you wish to find out more.
Wellbeing are making a map of ‘regeneration spaces’ where rebels can earth, relax, reground, recharge etc. If you have any gardens/woods/calm spaces to offer please contact us.
Thursday 3 October – Heading for Extinction Talk at the Prince Albert pub, Rodborough, 6.30 to 8pm
Friday 4 October 4 – 5.30pm at a local yoga studio – Embodied preparation for London: Yoga Nidra, Sharing, song with Dani Jones and Mari Winkleman.
If you want to use an app to keep in touch with other rebels and let them know your location the What3Words app is a great tool to download to your smartphone. Do an ecosia search to find out more:
Rebel Knitters – need wool and needles (chunky ideally) to knit leg and wrist warmers for chilly rebels. Drop wool and needles at the Beacon and if anyone is up for helping with this in a very fluid, low key way please contact us.
People will wearing white sashes at Rebellion. These will be Rebellion singers, who can lead at least five songs and are ready to step up and sing where needed from the 7th October. Please contact us.
Outreach – do you have a group of friends that would like to know more about XR? Outreach may be able to help organise small heading for extinction talks.
Early bird affinity group – please ensure you have the Signal app on your smart phone and look out for the affinity group which has been set up.
Friday 4 October – 7 to 9pm at Atelier Craft club – Red Rebel Brigade sewing workshop. Please contact us.
XR Nailsworth now has facebook page. Please join the group to add notices and events. XR Nailsworth Thursday meetings @ Arkell Centre 7-9pm, there’ll be a Heading for Extinction presentation there on 17 October.
Consent awareness for rebellion – There will be more information about ‘consent awareness’ in London. It’s a new initiative to try and help people feel safe either from receiving hugs, touch, verbal let-go…want to know more? Check out the info here at rebellion earth.
Equipment and materials for the rebellion – Bev has storage and for smaller things there is a room at the Beacon. Please store as tidily as possible. Tarpaulins, plastic sheeting, pallets, upcycled 5, 10, 25 litre plastic bottles and buckets with lids for weighing down guy ropes, poles tents etc. Logisitics required – return driver/unloading etc.
Sharing circles at the Beacon – Kendrick Street. Mondays 2-3pm and Fridays 10-11am. A space to listen and share from the heart around all matters touching you around the climate/ecological/social crisis.
Preparing for rebellion
We spent the remainder of the evening organising into affinity groups and organising buddies for the next rebellion. Please join us for our meeting before the next rebellion if you wish to aid us.
Please ensure you do not park in the lane next to the Old Convent. Residents have been complaining and it is a private street. We will have to put up signs or someone present outside redirecting cars to the empty car park behind surgery at Beeches Green on a Wed eve.
The first XR Nailsworth meeting is on 19 September and every Thursday going forward 7pm to 9pm, starting at the Britannia pub and moving to the Arkell Centre for weekly meetings.
XR Funraiser party group will be calling out for helpers for 4th October and 6th October (and at any other time) to make it an amazing day. Contact Jamie here or review the event page.
University of Glos Research academic wants to talk to XR rebels about their motivation. Please come along Saturday 21st 10am to 12.30pm at the Beacon.
Isa suggested a badge of honour or pendant for arrestees on return home. A local jewellery designer has offered to make them and come up with the initial designs.
Moira will be working with the XR Families on a banner on Friday Pallet Boats will be on the green.
Ecocide concert on 25 Sept at Sub Rooms £20 Arthur Brown and the Pretty Things concert.
Will – Reported the Crowdfunder has 26 pledges of £1,300, only 20 days left to get £1700 to make the target of £3k!! Please share this link to businesses and friends. This is to cover costs for arrestees for Gloucestershire.
Wellbeing are looking or a co-ordinator for London as Liz and Annie will not be continuing in London. There are many wellbeing people in Stroud and in XR and it’s important there is a strong presence in London for possible arrestees and anyone in London needing support.
There will be buddy Training at next weeks meeting on 24 Sept.
Red Rebels are looking for live streamers for Earth Strike on Friday and on Saturday in Gloucester . Also anyone who can take back up video for Points West please step forward to help.
Red Rebel Technical workshop at the Library Thurs 19th 6pm to 9pm. Also still looking for chaperones and live streamers. There will be more workshops coming up. There will be a red marquee in London for all RRB groups.
A Sanctuary is being set up for people who feel they need wellbeing support. Contact us here if you’re interested in helping with this.
Geoff has completed the Heading 4 Extinction training and will be running a practice session on Thursday at 7pm in Cashes Green.
Global Earth Strike
We also help needed on the green where food will be available.
Help also needed for a litter pick at the end of the strike.
Eartstrike Alarm – a plan to set off phones at 1pm during the Earth Strike. Please share this with everyone!
The amazing Bev Dennison has produced nearly 100 placards for others to paint their slogans onto. Still some available at the Beacon for Earth Strike.
Isa made a request that when people are gathering at the Arch for the march to start be respectful to residents by the school and stay calm. Chants and shouting is fine once the march is under way. There will be speeches at the Sub rooms at the end of the march and an MC is needed.
Flyposters needed
There is printed material at the Beacon, leaflets highlighting climate emergency, full colour posters which will be hung along the route of the march for Friday. Go and pick up some for flyposting and put some around your neighbourhood for Paint the Streets next week.
A big thanks to Marcus Blackett who has taken on the Beacon for all groups who care about the planet and their future.
There is online training coming up for pre arrest. Please check the Facebook group for more information.
