"Since 1997 the beautiful zine has been a touch paper to ignite change and a faithful chronicle of urban & rural defiance against capitalism, injustice & the war machine. We hope that some of Bristle’s amusing incidents and desperate measures bring some relief from the permanent crisis of a globalising world. More seriously issue 20 features a special section on health. As the campaign to save local hospitals rages, we take a wider look at Western medicine and the motives behind it.”
(Bristle 20 editorial, page 2)

The south west’s longest-running independent alternative magazine is back on the streets. We’ve got news, reviews, campaigns, an extensive contacts list, and subverts. We look at rural racism in the south west; and the appropriation of Native American culture (not just in the south west!). We find the G8 guilty of crimes against humanity & the planet; and interview Mark Stewart, one of Bristol’s original radical musicians (think the Pop Group, Bristol, 1977). There’s the British states terror campaign against local refugees, and their attack on Bristol Indymedia. We go Bristling on Bath’s waterways, and print unedited reports from the animal rights frontline. Our ‘health special’ has a homeopathic perspective on western medicine; the experiences of a local mum & activist coping with cancer; a look at Bristol cancer centre; and a word of warning about vaccinations. A Packer’s Field activist writes about health and open spaces (and the lack of…); whilst our in-house Taiji specialist explains how we ‘make the road by walking it.’

A packed out 28 pages for a mere £1.20. To find out your nearest bristle outlet go to  http://www.bristle.org.uk and click on ‘get’. Or send us a cheque payable to ‘bristle. In London you can get bristle from 56A Info Shop and via www.activedistribution.org.

This issue was laid out in record time by founding & long-standing collective members Martin & Paula. It will sadly be their last! Come and catch them in their altered states, as DJ’s Clandestino and Spinster one last time, live at Bristle’s 20th issue party, and benefit for local G8 defendants, on Saturday 17 September - full details & image here  http://www.indymedia.org.uk/en/2005/09/322572.html or details here  http://bristol.indymedia.org/newswire.php?story_id=24183

With their departure, the Bristle Collective is short of members, and now lacks certain key skills. We are therefore considering our future both in terms of format and effectiveness. If you are interested or have a constructive opinion, come to our meeting: ‘Bristle mag – what next?’ Sunday 25 September, 2-5pm, Kebele social centre, 14 Robertson Rd, Easton, Bristol, BS5.

Where there is oppression & injustice, there is always resistance!

Bristle mag, c/o 14 Robertson Rd, Bristol BS5 6JY
Mailto:  editors@bristle.org.uk
Web:  http://www.bristle.org.uk