BigBlether: finally pics and report:

Big Blether .... is over for a couple of years!

If you attended and would like your contact details circulated to others who attended the BB then get in touch with bigblether_at_j12.org

We were blethering at Talamh Life Centre, Lanarkshire from 6-8 September 2002.

Roughly every two years, we, the grassroots activists come together to enjoy ourselves and to inspire and encourage each other.
The whole weekend was about direct action, peace and environmental issues and campaigning for social and ecological justice.
At this DIY gathering we had the chance to learn new skills and broaden our minds and share our hopes, fears and experiences.

There were workshops, practical skills sharing, networking, mutual support, positive solutions, solidarity, alternative lifestyles, blethering, music, sunshine, camping ...

Also see our website at  http://www.j12.org/bigblether

The timetable of workshops and speeches:
 http://www.j12.org/bigblether/timetable.htm
The program included:

Films and discussions: about the Itoiz dam in the Basque country, the escape of refugees at the noborder camps- Woomera (Australia), The situation in Argentina, S26: Prague, The Black Panthers


Speeches about "The Zapatista Communities in Resistance", Robin Harper MSP "Green Politics", John Watson "Think Globally, Act Locally" World Development Movement,
"Peaceful Intervention in War Situations e.g. in Palestine"

Workshops:
"Supporting Refugees and their community", "'Anti-Capitalism' & the Struggle against Capitalism", "Co-Counselling", "Sexuality and Politics of Identity", "Womens Health","Anarchafeminism", "Direct action tactics", "Fundraising for your project","Using Linux and recycled hardware", Rising Tide Collective: "Climate Change", "Consensus", "Banana Link"
"GM tactics","Permaculture", "Housing Coops", "LETS","Practical Skills",
"Environmental music around the world","Agents of Change", "Defending yourself in court"
"Facilitation training", "Anti-war! Building up a Scottish network","Grass roots media", "Dealing with media", "Bilston Wood- No Alignment Action Group"
“Geodesic dome building”, ”Herbal medicine walk”, “Home education”, “Gaia”, “Renewable Energy”, “Hand wool spinning and natural dying”


We got good feedback from the people attending Big Blether in 2002.

Most of the attending said they enjoyed coming to Big Blether, the positive highlights being meeting up with people and networking. It was expressed that the workshops and the gathering had a good, productive and informative atmosphere. The venue, the atmosphere, and the taste of the food was also among the positive points.

The activists assembled liked the gathering and the workshops being quite diverse and hope for more Big Blethers in future.

Thanks very much for filling in the questionnaire... out of 39 questionnaires, 39 said they enjoyed the Big Blether overall!

We keep the extended summary of the questionnaires on file, as we are unsure if everybody is happy to have the subjective, personal comments published openly. Thanks for also letting us know where to publicise the Big Blether event next time.
However, if you want to see the whole range of answers, please contact us personally under bigblether_at_j12.org