Gathering Report
In all, around a hundred activists turned up over the 3 days, from as far afield as London, Southampton, Bristol, Nottingham, Sheffield, Liverpool, Cumbria, Hereford, Birmingham, Plymouth, Leeds, Bath, York, Canterbury, Isle of Wight, Oxford and a few places we've forgotten about or never heard of! We had some international attendees as well, from Finland, Australia and Greece.
From the feedback we've had so far, it was an uplifting and inspiring weekend, with some great workshops, talks and discussions and lots of tasty vegan food and drinks.
On the day of action on the Saturday the theory was put into practice as activists from the gathering went out in various vehicles, and many on foot, to spead the animal rights message across the region.
Around 50 hunt saboteurs, including 40 from the gathering, many of them first time sabs, attended a local fox hunt and a hare hunt, and had a successful day ensurring no wildlife were killed on this day at least.
Fifteen activists took part in a mobile anti-vivisection demo targeting pharmaceutical companies, labs and breeders over a wide area.
Another 15 activists set off over the border into Thameside to provide vital and much appreciated support for the regular anti-fur protest against the fashion shop "Fizz" in Ashton-u-Lyne. (sadly some of these didn't make it to the demo as someone had smashed their car window and stolen the satnav!)
After the mobile demos set off, the remaining activists set off into town to take part in various animal rights and vegan events around Bradford City Centre. There was a free vegan food giveaway and info table, with volunteers at the centre spending the morning cooking vegan goodies. There were also three separate info stalls covering all areas of animal abuse and campaigning.
Also in Bradford, there were protests against McDonalds and Kentucky Fried Chicken, as well as a greyhound racing demo at William Hill.
A big well done to Veggies and everyone who volunteered for the catering, the food was delicious and varied, the portions were great, and the meals were always served with a smile and always on time.
A big, big thanks goes to the 1 in 12 club for hosting the AR Gathering. This historic social centre is celebrating its 30th anniversary this year, and the people who run the centre were excellent hosts.
Archived planning notes
Check National Express for cheap fares. You may also be able to book train tickets to Bradford for that weekend for £5 each way with http://uk.megabus.com. If not to Bradford try Leeds. Regular local service buses run between Leeds and Bradford bus stations.
It is a short walk from Brardford Interchange coach/train station to 1 in 12 Club, 21-23 Albion St, Bradford BD1 2LY, but if you have mobility difficulties and lots to carry, there is a free city bus from Interchange to John Street/Wesgate.
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Spring Gathering Update Please print and dispay thgis advert Here are the important details so far.
National Animal Rights Spring Gathering - Friday 11th to Sunday 13th March 2011 at the 1 in 12 Club, 21-23 Albion St, Bradford, West Yorkshire, BD1 2LY
Important: Venue Membership: The 1 in 12 is a private members club. All those attending the gathering need to be members or signed in by other members as bona-fide guests. Therefore it is important that you let us know in advance if you're planning to attend the gathering, and on which days. Then we can send you details about membership and signing in of guests etc.
Draft Timetable
The gathering starts proper on Friday midday, and ends on Sunday evening, but activists are welcome to stay over on Thursday night and also on Sunday night (if you let us know in advance). In general the weekend will divide into a day of action on Saturday and a day of workshops and discussion on the Sunday.
Thursday Evening
Early arrivals. Those arriving early can stay over on Thursday night (let us know in advance so we can arrange food and sleeping spaces).
Friday
10am : Organising & Set up in preparation. - breakfast.
12 - 2pm: Arriving + Lunch by donation
2pm: Welcome to the Gathering meeting
2.30: Workshops
3.30: break
4pm - 7pm: Action Planning Workshops - The Saturday of the gathering will be a day of action for the gathering, so these workshops will be to plan, prepare for and discuss the following day's actions. The workshops will be divided into two groups as follows, though activists are welcome to switch between groups if they like.
(a) Hunt Saboteurs - tactics, self defence, legal.
(b) Demos and other actions etc. Planning and organising targets, legal advice, demo materials, practical preparations.
7pm: Evening Meal.
7.30pm: Gathering Meeting: feedback, announcements and Q+A for Saturday's Day of Action
8pm Evening Social events
Saturday Day of Action
Breakfast from 7.30am + Packed lunch preparations for activists who will be out on hunt sabs, demos, street stalls etc.
Breakfast followed by Meetings and last minute Briefings for the various groups planning actions.
Lunch on Saturday. A packed lunch will be available for those taking part in demos, street stalls, hunt sabs etc. And/or the cafe at the venue will be open all day staffed by Veggies, as well as be open to public.
From 6pm Evening Meal
From 7pm: Debrief meeting from the Day of Action, and discussions about the various actions which took place.
8pm - 11.30 Music Gig evening + other entertainment, bar, social etc.
Sunday – Day of Workshops and Discussions
Some great workshops already planned, but room for many more, contact us with your ideas, before January 30th if possible.
9am Breakfast
10am: Gathering Feedback + Q&A's
10.30: Workshops
11.45: Break
12.15: Workshops
1.30: Lunch
2.30: workshops
3.45: break
4.15: workshops
5.30 closing meeting
6.30: Evening meal & social events, bar, films etc.
Accommodation available on Sunday night for those staying over til Monday, contact us in advance.
Catering Costs
These are minimum donations which barely cover food costs, so additional donations towards other catering expenses are welcomed.
Basic cost is £3 per meal, or £6 per day for 3 meals.
All meals and drink from Friday evening to Sunday lunch £12.
or all meals from Friday lunch - Sunday lunch £15
Breakfasts & drinks included in above, or by donation.
Additional meals by donation.
Venue costs
To help to cover costs a suggested minimum of £5 for the weekend
is asked, or more if you can afford. This does not include food,
see above. If you become a member of the club, this will go
toward this cost, contact us for details. Please encourage your
local groups/individuals to help fundraise, do a stall, make a
donation etc to help pay for the gathering.
Accommodation
There is floor space for activists to stay over at the venue, and we
are collating a list of places for people to stay with local
activists. Please bring sleeping bags and mats etc. Again do let us
know in advance if you're planning to attend and which nights, those
who do will get priority in event of lack of space! There will be
quiet sleeping areas for those who want to sleep early, and all loud
entertainment will be finished by 11.30 in any case.
Hotels and B&B's
If you want advice about local Hotels and B&B's please get in
touch.
Transport and
Parking
There is limited parking in the area around the venue, so where
possible please use public transport. The train/bus station
interchange is close to the venue. For advice about parking and
transport, contact us. Also if you are arranging transport from
your area, or if you need transport, please contact us so we can
put people in touch with each other.
Children
Children are allowed at the venue, but will have to be supervised
of course. Contact us in advance if you have any questions.
Dogs
The gathering is not suitable for dogs due to the noise, lack of
space, disruption, lack of facilities etc, so we encourage people
to make other arrangements to look after their non-human friends
during the gathering. Contact us in emergency.
Publicity
Website: The website will have all more info soon, and is being
updated and redone. Please help us to spread the work by putting a
link to the website on your website or networking page.
Website www.argathering.org.uk
Facebook http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=183662104979565
The NEXT PLANNING MEETING: 30th January 2011. Noon at 1 in 12 Club.
IF you want to receive email updates,
join the gathering email list argathering@lists.rbgi.net
Twitter this, or copy to your email, blog or social network:
UK Animal Rights Spring Gathering at 1 in 12, Bradford
Fri 11th - Sun 13th March
Details at http://www.veggies.org.uk/event.php?ref=1811
 Follow
AnimalRightsUK on Twitter.
2009 Spring Gathering: IndyMedia report at http://www.indymedia.org.uk/en/2010/03/447483.html . Veggies Calendar Listing
 Veggies will be at this event - Sign Up to join our crew.
If you'd like us to bring you any of our foods, literature or campaign goods, some of which are on our online shop please contact us with details
  Whenever possible Veggies feature the publications of the Movement for Compassionate Living, which we print and distribute to promote simple living and vegan self-reliance as a remedy to the exploitation of humans, animals and the Earth. We also support our nominated charity, Vegfam, ‘Feeding the hungry without exploiting animals’. If you can help us with either of these projects at this event, whilst we are busy with Veggies catering, please email pat@veggies.org.uk.
Postcode: BD12LY . Mapping websites: http://maps.google.co.uk . http://www.streetmap.co.uk . http://www.multimap.com (photo)
Note: Maps are based on postcodes which can cover a wide area, especially for rural locations. Public Transport details may be available from http://www.traveline.org.uk/
Concerned about carbon emmisions? click here |
A weekend of networking, workshops, discussions, actions and social activities will hosted by the 1 in 12 Club, 21-23 Albion St, Bradford BD1 2LY. 1 in 12 is a private members club, so all attending will be members or guests. It will be helpful if people would like to join the club. 