----- Original Message -----

From: bristolbethfg@...

To: Bristol-PSC@...

Sent: Wednesday, July 01, 2009 2:45 PM

Subject: [Bristol-PSC] p.s. added to minutes.

Please see added item from Tej that was accidentally missed from the meeting, at the end of these minutes.

 

Minutes of Bristol PSC meeting 30.6.09

 

Present: Rowland, Caroline, Richard (new), Robbie, Ruth (new), Judith, Cliff, Kat.

Apologies: Jim, Monica, David, Marian, Tej, Wendy, Martin.

 

Report on recent events

(1) Twinning meeting.  A range of people from a range of groups (university, medical, Trades Unions, etc) attended the meeting on twinning.  There was some discussion concerning the best Palestinian town to twin with Bristol. The current aim is growing the network, as when a network is established the council will then consider the twinning application.  The next twinning meeting is at 1pm on 6th July in the Easton Community Centre. The planned Bristol-Gaza convoy this autumn will help to consolidate links. Rowland reported a recent twinning link between Llandeilo and Assawiyeh.

 

(2) Bethlehem Link - Hakaya dancers.

The recent meeting was a great success, everyone enjoyed the performance and £450 was collected for Bethlehem Link.  Rowland pointed out that cultural events draw larger audiences and thought that this was a new direction for Bristol PSC to explore.  He suggested that the Dabke dancing troupe from London could be invited to Bristol.  It was suggested this could be linked with another Bristol festival, such as Refugee Week, or the St. Paul's festival.  This should be put on the agenda for the next meeting.

 

Future events.

(3) 3rd July. Jo Phelan has arranged a meeting in Melksham this Friday 3rd July.  Contact Rowland for more details if you are interested. Rowland is attending and has spaces in his car.

(4) 7th July. Palestinian film showing "Wedding in Galilee" organised by Frome Friends of Palestine.  7.30pm in the Masonic Hall, North Parade, Frome.  Rowland is attending and has spaces in his car.

(5) 9th July. Arab Writing Today.  Arab writers read from their work.  Holy Trinity Hall, Frome, £8/£6 including Middle Eastern food.

(6) 11th July. PSC national conference. Kat/Tej/Caroline showed interest in attending. Caroline making enquiries re coach travel to Birmingham.

(7) 18th/19th July. Tolpuddle Festival. Places can be booked on UNISON coach for Sunday travel, booked via South Glos TUC. Judith to find out contact details. Judith and Richard already going with Red Notes. Rowland may also attend.

(8) 29th July/2nd Aug. Big Green Gathering.  Rowland and Judith to attend.

(9) 2nd Aug.  Goldney Garden Party. Caroline to organise the stall and Ruth or Keith to provide transport.

(10) 9th Aug.  Islamic Fair at Eastville Park.  To be discussed at next meeting, but PSC has been offered two tables.

(11) 12th Aug. Anarchist Book Fair.  TBD next meeting.

(12) 15th Sept. St. Mark's Street Fair. TBD next meeting.

(13) 3rd Oct. Stapleton Road Fair.  TBD next meeting.

(14) Party for Palestine.  Robbie to find out if St. Werburgh's is available in the autumn. (it may be closed for renovation).  Other choices: Eastville Community Centre.

 

Other.

(15) Boycott campaign.  After the election, there are fewer parties in the European Parliament supporting Palestine and it is more likely that there will be renewed agreements with Israel. For this reason it is important that we continue with the boycott work.  Members are encouraged to write to their MEP's re trade links with Israel.

(16) Co-op. 

Richard has recently been communicating with the Co-op re the stocking of Israeli goods, and although he has managed to counter all of their arguments, they still state they will not stock Israeli goods and now they have ended all communication with him. Richard to find more about the AGM and ways of raising the issue at the next Co-operative Society regional AGM, and Rowland to try to encourage more people to join the Co-op so that they have voting rights.

(17) Street stall will be in Gloucester Rd on July 25th between 12-3pm.

(18) Richard said the Red Notes Choir wished to affliliate with the local PSC group.  All present welcomed the idea.

(19) Rowland circulated copies of a video showing the Boycott meeting.

 

p.s.

Later addition to minutes

 

ETHICAL TRADE RESEARCH

Tej has been in communication with the student we met at the last Picton Street stall event.

He's keen to set up a meeting with the people who expressed an interest in the "Ethical Trade" research project.

Details of the meeting will be communicated via the B-PSC email network.

The timescale is short and if people can't make them contact Tej direct.

 

 

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