Mayday! Despite the weather, which was spreading grey throughout Cambridge, a group of wayward picnic-ers had decided to set up to enjoy a calm picnic in the Grafton Centre earlier today. Well, it was out of the cold at least.

The cunning police and the Grafton Centre heavy squad had planned ahead (an intense stickering campaign may have alerted them to the groups movements) and they wedged themselves in the main entrance. Luckily, the group had a plan and went round to the back door, which only had three pot smoking fourteen year olds on guard, who were easily diverted.

Once inside, the group converged to make plans and set up the picnic. 'We are more than just consumers' leaflets being handed out, information about the shop-workers unions was distributed to shopkeepers. A few short puffs (never short on breath, this group) and a 100 'End Child Labour' balloons were inflated, within minutes a 100 small children were happy with their new shiny red 'activist' balloons, parents struggling to try and think of a reason to take a balloon from their child.

A mixed reaction from the crowd, one particular fine example of an upstanding gentleman tried to force money upon the group for the tea and biscuits, his mind warped from many years in 'hard business'. After partaking in the freebies he 'turned' on the group, encouraging them to 'Spend, Spend, SPEND!'. Turns out he was one of us, a distraction technique and an excuse to wear a fine suit.

Security decided to step in, maybe jealous of the tea and biscuits now been handed out to bemused shoppers.

Security: You're going to have to leave, and you can't film in here.

Luckily he only said this to one of the group, so the video camera got handed round to someone else, who was allowed to film. Security then seemed to take an excessive interest in the pros and cons of child labour and decided to try and 'collect and read' all the leaflets that were being handed out. Mr Cameraman decided to get some 'close up' shots of this leaflet confiscating action and was promptly told to...

Security: Stop filming!

Mr Cameraman: No.

Security (a sweat breaking): You have to leave.

Mr Cameraman: Do I?

The atmosphere dropped a notch, Mr Security's beady little eyes narrowed. If Mr Cameraman was a movie star he may seen a shifty reflection in those beady eyes, several security guards had laid down their pies and were advancing on him from behind. Instead of James Bond double back-flip there was shock as Mr Cameraman found himself caught in the classic 'Three on one Grafton ejection' grip, luckily their own gluttony failed them and the arm lock slipped and Mr Cameraman escaped from their greasy paws, he lives to shoot film another day...

Others weren't so lucky and soon the 'Complete Grafton Ejection' manoeuvre was in full swing; cups, rugs, people and half opened packets of Jammy Dodgers thrown into the street.

Out on the street, Mr Cameraman: "I can't believe how crazy they went, all people were trying to do was educate the public about employment conditions of the people from other countries who make this shit for us. And anyway, I thought the security would be up for free Jammy Dodgers, but I guess they filled up on pies?"

After a quick regroup and rethink, a new location was found, this time just OUTSIDE the Grafton centre, public land. The rugs out, biscuits back on the plate, the picnic in full swing again. Some jugglers arrived of course, a quick appearance by a Subcommandante Marcos impersonator, more leaflets, more juggling, tea, cakes and happiness.

The Police decided to show their face, keeping their distance and letting the group be, it seemed they were mostly keen on stopping people cycling on the pavement, a worthy use of 'the peoples' money.

The clouds were still hanging low, the day still grey, people still shopping... For a few people though, a lightness had touched them, who can't help but smile when you see a picnic in full swing. And some of the smiles came forward, took leaflets, were interested in finding out more. They took the words away with them, some knowledge. Maybe they were just a little bit more AWARE as they picked up some useless item they have been told they need, maybe they put it back down, left the shop and thought about having a picnic instead?