[pagan-magik] Earth First! Summer Gathering 2005

[Adrian Harris]

Hi,
I'm going for at least some of this - probably first few days. See some of
you there? Last year was great!

Earth First! Summer Gathering 2005

A gathering to inspire and train all those opposed to the destruction of
our planet.

Wednesday 17th - Sunday 21st August
Peak District
Phone: 0845 355 0111
www.earthfirstgathering.org.uk

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.

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
(pages.zoom.co.uk/~nineladies).

There will be a reception tent, vegan catering by Anarchist Teapot
(www.eco-action.org/teapot), a café by Veggies (www.veggies.org.uk), a
reading library, a womens' space, and a camping area including a quiet
sleeping area. Re-pressed (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.

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: www.earthfirstgathering.org.uk