[Netnews-action] 17-21 Aug: EF! summer gathering

[Michael]

>From: "Manchester Earth First!" <mancef at nematode.freeserve.co.uk>
>From:                   "EF! Summer Gathering 05" 
><summergathering at yahoo.co.uk>
>
>
>
>EARTH FIRST! SUMMER GATHERING 2005
>
>A gathering to inspire and train all those opposed to the
>destruction of our planet
>
>Dewch ynghyd i rannu a chasglu syniadau fel y gallwyn
>amddiffyn ein daear rhag dinistr
>
>Wednesday 17th - Sunday 21st August
>Peak District
>Phone: 0845 355 0111
>http://www.earthfirstgathering.org.uk/
>(Website includes PDFs of the flyer and poster)
>
>Earth First! is not a cohesive group or campaign, but a
>convenient banner to work under for people who share similar
>ideas. The general principles behind the name are
>non-hierarchical organisation and the use of direct action
>to stop, and eventually reverse, the forces that are
>responsible for the destruction of the earth and its
>inhabitants.
>
>Since 1992 many of the people under this banner have come
>together at gatherings to meet, socialise, discuss and
>organise direct action. This year's gathering will take
>place in the Peak District. Here, in our first national
>park, is some of Britain's most spectacular landscape.
>
>"In the future our generation will be remembered for having
>the last opportunity to halt mass extinction, unprecedented
>even by the dinosaurs. Now is the time to gather and form an
>ecological resistance - before the last great forests and
>life-support systems of the earth disappear forever. There
>is no turning back - it is literally up to you."
>
>Sessions will cover a range of practical skills and
>struggles. Those already planned include self-defence,
>nanotechnology, blockade tactics, Gleneagles G8, navigation,
>Iceland Dams, action First Aid, indigenous resistance,
>climbing, ID cards, road and airport expansion, primitive
>skills, organising actions and campaigns, climate change,
>and ecological restoration. We'll put more details up on the
>website as and when sessions are confirmed.
>
>One day of the gathering will be an away-day out in the Peak
>District. As well as a chance to explore the local bioregion
>together, there'll be practical sessions up in the hills and
>a visit to Nine Ladies, a direct action camp blocking quarry
>expansion in the Peak District National Park
>(http://pages.zoom.co.uk/~nineladies/).
>
>There will be a reception tent, vegan catering by Anarchist
>Teapot (http://www.eco-action.org/teapot/), a café by
>Veggies (http://www.veggies.org.uk/), a reading library, a
>womens' space, and a camping area including a quiet sleeping
>area. Re-pressed (http://www.re-pressed.org.uk/) will be
>running a stall selling books and pamphlets. Commercial
>stalls are not welcome, but remember to bring any
>information about your group, campaign or forthcoming
>action.
>
>Getting there: The nearest mainline station is Derby. The
>exact location of the site will be announced a week before
>the Gathering. For a map and travel details (including
>trains and buses close to the site), check the website or
>send a first-class stamped, addressed envelope marked
>GATHERING MAP to the address below. We will post it back to
>you so that it arrives on August 10th. Alternatively, check
>the website from that date. We'll run pickups from the
>nearest train station a couple of times a day: ring the
>phone number for times. Details of any regional transport
>contacts will be put on the website.
>
>Arriving and leaving: The first sessions start at 1pm on
>Wednesday 17th August, so aim to arrive by the evening of
>Tuesday 16th if you want to come to the whole event; the
>gate will be open from 12 midday. The last session will end
>on Sunday 21st at 6pm. After dinner there'll be films and a
>ceilidh.
>
>What to bring: Come equipped: bring shelter, warm waterproof
>clothes (just in case), and boots. You'll need money for the
>gate and for food from Anarchist Teapot unless you're
>catering for yourself. Do photocopy and bring any 'how to'
>guides you think might be useful.
>
>Site crew is everyone who comes along. In order for us to
>have the gathering, vegetables need to be chopped, young
>people need to be entertained, washing up needs to be done,
>the gate tent needs to be staffed and compost toilets need
>to be maintained. Sometimes this is the best way to meet new
>people, have great conversations, and learn how to do new
>things. Come prepared to volunteer. You can sign up for
>shifts when you get there.
>
>Cost: At the gate, we'll be asking for £10 for every adult
>(including everyone helping out in any way) to cover the
>cost of organising the gathering.
>
>Camping: The accommodation is camping only, so come
>equipped. A women-only camping space will be provided. We
>aim to be as fully-accessible to all as we can. If you have
>any special needs, contact us. A limited number of live-in
>vehicles are welcome: check with us in advance to see if
>there's space.
>
>Kids: Children are welcome. Please let us know how many kids
>are coming and how old they are. There'll be a kids' space,
>and some events for different ages, but you're still
>responsible for the children you bring.
>
>Dogs: There is a strict limit on the number of dogs we can
>have on this site, so please arrange beforehand for friends
>or relatives to look after your dog. If this is really not
>possible you must contact us beforehand, as any dogs not
>already booked will be turned away at the gate. Dogs must be
>kept on a lead at all times, and exercised off-site.
>
>Food: The Anarchist Teapot mobile action kitchen will be
>cooking GM-free vegan food. You can buy their meal tickets
>for £3.50 a day, or bring your own food to cook and a
>camping stove.
>
>Cameras and press: This is an action-orientated gathering,
>not a press event, so if you are coming as a journalist then
>you are not welcome. Please respect the wishes of some
>people not to be photographed and leave your camera at home.
>
>NO COPS, NO JOURNALISTS, NO CAMERAS
>
>Set-up and tat-down: We'll need some people to help out on
>site for a few days before and after the gathering. If you
>can help, phone us on the number below.
>
>Earth First! has no central office, no members, no paid
>workers, and also no money. Any donations will be
>appreciated. Make cheques and postal orders payable to
>"Earth First!".
>
>Earth First! Gathering 2005
>6 Tilbury Place, Brighton, East Sussex, BN2 2GY
>
>Phone: 0845 355 0111
>Email: summergathering at yahoo.co.uk
>Website: http://www.earthfirstgathering.org.uk/
>
>------- End of forwarded message -------