This weekend sees a peaceful series of events plannedby the PeopleInCommon Sunday picnic demonstrators, to protet against the SOCPA Designated Area loss of our traditional freedoms and liberties, with a series of events this Saturday 22nd and Sunday 23rd April from Runnymede to Parliament Square on Saint George's Day.
April 22nd and 23rd Reclaim St George WeekendCome and help us beat The Exclusion Zone around Parliament*
There are four main parts to the action:
[1] From 12 noon Saturday 22nd April Overnight Camp at Runnymede [where the Magna Carta was signed in 1215];
[2] From 1pm Sunday 23rd April Welcome Picnic/Party from 1pm at the Tibetan Peace Gardens at the Imperial War Museum;
[3] From 3pm Sunday 23rd April a non-demonstration march from there to Parliament Square [please dress up and bring blank placards and banners]; and
[4] From 4/5pm Sunday 23rd April Tea Party and Burning of [and game of cricket for the Ashes of] the Magna Carta and s132 of SOCPA*.
There is also being organised a morning picnic at St Georges Hill Weybridge, on the golf course at the site where the Diggers began their revolutionary commune.
More info on all this can be found below..
--- What's It All About
The idea behind this event is to challenge s132 of SOCPA*, do a fun action, learn a bit about English history and Reclaim St Georges Day - for better or for worse, the national day of England - from the far right, all [to quote Shakespeare**] 'in one fell swoop'.And also to mark the weekend with an alternative 'Freedom Marathon' [the Flora Marathon is taking place on the 23rd too].
We want to use theatre and fun to highlight Tony Blair's cavalier approach to our ancient constitutional freedoms [as embodied in and developed through the Magna Carta of 1215] but also to invoke the best traditions of the civil rights movement, by placing our action firmly in historic context.
And we want it to be a celebration of our eccentricity and diversity, a way of reclaiming England's national day from the far right, a way of bringing together people from different backgrounds in common cause.
Standing up for rights and against authoritarianism. And having fun!
More info on each section is given below.
The whole weekend breaks down as follows:[1] Runnymede Camp from 12 Noon Saturday 22nd April 2006
[2] Freedom Marathon Walk/Cycle/Train along the Thames
[3] Picnic and Party from 1pm Sunday 23rd April 2006 at The Tibetan Peace Gardens, Imperial War Museum London
[4] Freedom March from Peace Gardens to Parliament Square leaving the Park at 3pm
[5] Ceremonial Burning of the Magna Carta and Cricket in Parliament Square or Victoria Tower Gardens [next to House of Lords] for its Ashes 5pm [which venue we use will depend on the crowds that day][1] Runnymede Camp from 12 Noon Saturday 22nd April 2006
--- Where and Why
Overnight camp at Runnymede Pleasure Gardens, by the River Thames, near Egham, Surrey. Bring tents, warm clothing, a good sleeping bag, water, firewood if you've got it, music, and some nice food and drink to share.
Bit of history: Runnymede Meadow is where the Magna Carta was signed in 1215. The Magna Carta marks the transition in England from the arbitrary Rule of the King to the more accountable period known as the Rule of Law. This period has now run its course, being abused by those who control the Law, the Executive and their lawyers. Time for the Rule of People! For more info on the historic significance of this document, go here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Magna_Carta
--- General Info/Getting There and Away
Find more info on the Runnymede Pleasure Grounds site at http://www.egham.co.uk/info/runny.html#ground and also a road map of its location at http://www.zenatode.org.uk/maps/runnymede.html
Egham is on the Waterloo to Reading train line. The site is about a half hour walk from the station. It's also possible to arrive boat there from Windsor. For more info on the hourly services from Windsor Promenade to the Pleasure Grounds go here: http://www.frenchbrothers.co.uk/pt/pt3.htm We would like to encourage people to come by bike or by train.There is a car park at the grounds but this will be locked from 8pm til 9 am the next morning. The public toilets will be closed during these times though there are some pubs and a hotel nearby.
NB. The land we will be camping on is owned by the Runnymede Borough Council and so we will be camping their without permission. we have asked, in theory about their policy towards an event like ours, and have been told there is no camping. Therefore, in the best tradition of Democracy for the purposes of this event we will be breaking the bye-laws and reclaiming the land for people during the day and the night of the 22nd/23rd April. But compare this to the abuse of the law by our givernment. In the immortal words of Nike [meaning 'victory'] as one chap at the cafe there told me: just do it!
[2] Freedom Marathon Walk/Cycle/Train along the Thames arriving central London 23rd April
Talking of Nike, on the 23rd April 2006 in Central London the Flora Marathon is running so this is our alternative Freedom Marathon instead: but if you're daunted by this don't worry - by train from Egham to Waterloo the Thames route is easy, just 40 minutes! Or cycle the 30 mile route gently in 6-7 hours, 5 hours if you're quicker. By foot a whole day or night walking at a medium pace is required. At least one person - Dan - is doing it in two nights - call him onthe number givenat the bottom of this page fro more info if you're interested. One can of course cycle it much more quickly by direct river route but the riverside route is more beautiful.
Some individuals are planning to walk through the night, departing close to midnight, while others will leave by bike at dawn.
Please note that though this is a long journey, because there are regular railway stations nearby all along the route it's quite user friendly. You can choose to do as much or as little walking [or cycling] as you wish. All the relevant river stations are on the Waterloo line, and include: Egham [closest to Runnymede], Staines, Chertsey, Hampton Court, Kingston, Richmond, Kew, Barnes and Putney.
Info on trail and distances can be found here: http://thames.joncombe.org/thames_path.html
There are plans to provide walkers with breakfast, but overall the camp and the river journey are very much a DIY thing. So if you are in any doubt about the distance, come to the camp but think about taking the train at least some of the way..
Also, as I've mentioned elsewhere we're planning another Runnymede to London event in June, for the anniversary of the signing of the Magna Carta, so you can alway do more of it then, when the days will be longer and warmer, and you will be able to make good use of the experience of those brave souls who do it this time!
For more detailed bikers/walkers info on the river route go here: http://peopleincommon.cyborgcow.net/forum/viewtopic.php?t=36
Diggers Picnic Tribute
There are currently plans to have a picnic at St Georges Hill,
Weybridge, on morning/early afternoon of the 23rd April 2006. Go here http://peopleincommon.cyborgcow.net/forum/viewtopic.php?t=35
for more info.[3] The London Party 1pm Sunday 23rd April 2006
At The Tibetan Peace Gardens, Mary Geraldine Harmsworth Park, Imperial War Museum.
The Imperial War Museum is located between Elephant and Castle and Lambeth North Tube Stations.
Find info here http://www.southwark.gov.uk/YourServices/ParksSection/AZParks/GMHPark.html
This location is outside the Exclusion Zone. So we plan to enjoy a 'legal' gathering from 1pm before marching at around 3pm from the Park to Parliament Square. Bring music, ball games and food, and don't forget to dress up - Chivalry meets Cross Dressing meets Clowns meets Fairies meets the Suffragettes meets Alice in Wonderland! George says "Love your Dragon"! Also, all Jedis very welcome.
[4] March from Peace Gardens to Parly Square to leave Park at 3pm.This march should take about half an hour to 45 minutes. Bring sticks, drums and music - let's make some noise!!
[5] Ceremonial Burning of the Magna Carta and Cricket in Parliament Square or Victoria Tower Gardens [next to House of Lords] for its Ashes - around 4-5pm
Come join us for the finale in the 'Forbidden Plaza'!
NB if the Marathon crowds are still big, we will stop at Victoria Tower Gardens. Info here: http://www.touruk.co.uk/london_parks_gardens/victoriatower_park1.htm
*SOCPA stands for the Serious Organised Crime and Police Act 2005. It contains many silly provisions, including s.132 which criminalises peoples' freedom of speech in the Exclusion Zone. At the same time, within the same zone, the state actively encourages other forms of demonstration, for example the Flora Marathon: New Labour supports fee speech, but not free speech, such as ads on billboards and hoardings. For me that just about says it all.** By coincidence aswell as being St George's Day 23rd April 2006 is said to be Shakespeare's Birthday. It is also the day he died. Spooky.
-- A Note about the London Party.
For the London Party, we want a colourful carnival to celebrate the goodness of this land, with children and families. Don't be afraid to dress up! The theme of the weekend is of course alternative St George, so think multiple English identities, a celebration of our eccentricity and diversity, perhaps cross dress [George in Drag - Dandy Lions, Fairies and Dragons] or perhaps come in medieval. Robin Hood http://www.lorellin.demon.co.uk/dcj/nye-robin-hood.jpg
meets Maid Marion meets Ru Paul!? http://www.inthelifetv.org/content/images/History_of_Television__1_2_590.jpg
Or more simply maybe just dress as a famous protestor from the past - Jarrow Marchers with flat caps and ties are easy enough - see http://www.bbc.co.uk/history/programmes/hob/images/audio_jarrow.jpg Or you could come as a Suffragette. Anyone for Mahatma Gandhi?!We want to make the London part of the event as colourful as possible so that we can make a nice splash in Parliament Square. Bring musical instruments, games to play and toys for kids.
But if you can't dress up - no time or feel shy - don't worry, just come!
Any questions, give Mark a call on 0785 439 0408
Nice Alter'St George Image Here: http://www.galeon.com/allmusic/caratulas/b/Bob_Marley-Confrontation-Frontal.jpg
Hope to see you there!
I am trying to search for a spooky house that is abandoned, with items in it still. It is boarded up and is really old. To my understandings, it was built in the late 1800's. It is a red house. When i took my dog there, she sniffed a big shed/ storage area outside the house. I think that there may be somthing wrong. This house is located along the Red Bud Trail in Herndon and in RunnyMede Park. Please contact me at my e-mail address if any further info. is found.
Thank you.