BASE Infoshop collective are heading to London this weekend for the London anarchist bookfair. We will be alongside loads of anarchist distros, activist groups and assorted trouble makers, raising funds for BASE social centre and doing our own bit of shopping for the revolution! Expect more awesome radical books and revolutionary good stuff on the shelves at BASE in the very near future! This year the bookfair is taking place across 6 venues in the East of London. There is also an afterparty that will be unrestrained and uproarious! Long live anarchy! An idea whose time has come…
BASE infoshop will be at the Exchange this Sunday alongside other radical groups and troublemakers. We think it will provide some welcome relief from weeks of enforced “mourning” and are reliably informed there will be no outpourings of grief for the ruling class or their figureheads. Instead there will be plenty of radical books, pamphlets, music, talks a bar and top notch vegan food. Come meet folks involved in local organising and carry on fighting back, for a better world together. See you there! The queen is dead. Long live anarchy!
BASE social centre in Bristol has provided an important space for community and organising for a better world for over 25 years. Putting principles of mutual aid, solidarity, self organisation and co-operation into practice it has been an inspiration to many. This autonomous, not for profit space has contributed so much to Bristol’s good reputation as a city of radical and progressive politics. BASE has provided genuinely affordable / free space to a wide range of community, campaign and activist groups and hosted innumerable events of all sorts. It is a place where people can meet others, socialise, eat, work, learn and organise together as equals. We are very proud of all that it stands for and all that it has achieved over the years and long may it continue.
Like many grassroots community projects, BASE has been really badly affected by the pandemic. We took the decision to keep the cafe, our primary source of income, closed to prioritise community safety and to avoid contributing to the spread of covid 19. This has meant that while our principles of collective care, mutual aid and solidarity are in good shape, our finances are not! The project’s reserve funds are now at a critically low level. So, it’s about time for some sponsored stuff! We get that everyone is a bit tired of yet another crowdfunder, so we thought we’d give this one some legs!
A group of BASE volunteers and supporters are running a half marathon along the Devon coast on 5th February to raise some much needed funds. While there may be some nice views along the way, it’s undoubtedly going to be an arduous metaphor for the struggle! It is described by the run organisers, Endurance Life, as “punishing” and “severe terrain”. Because the tougher it is the more money we raise, right? We will get it done, in the spirit of the old revolutionary adage of “Run comrade, the old world is right behind you!”
If you value autonomous, free, not for profit, community spaces please contribute to the crowdfunder and share it as widely as you can. Your support for BASE social centre is really appreciated.
The Kebele General Meeting takes place every 2-3 months at the social centre. If you come to/use Kebele you are welcome at this meeting!
Monday 7th March, 6.30pm prompt start, at Kebele social centre. Meetings last upto 2 hours.
Kebele General Meetings are an opportunity for the wider Kebele community and users of the building/facilities to come together to hold the Co-op to account, find out more about Kebele, discuss any urgent and/or relevant issues, and volunteer to help with ongoing matters (cleaning, maintenance, cafes, outreach etc) and at any upcoming events. So the Agenda may include:
– recent decisions by the Community Co-op, any new proposals, and get an update on Kebele’s finances. – any urgent matters relating to Kebele, be they practical (the loo is leaking!) or political. – review any recent events at Kebele, and discuss any forthcoming events that need wider involvement/support to ensure they happen. – there is sometimes a political discussion for a part of the meeting.
The actual Agenda is posted on the wall in the Kebele cafe – where you can add items, and emailed out to our volunteers list. There is usually cake and/or snacks, and hot drinks, available.
General meetings are facilitated (not chaired) by a volunteer, and any decisions are made via consensus decision-making practices (see here for info).
Find out more about Kebele – read OurStory and other pages on this website.
Note that the Kebele social centre is formally owned & managed by Kebele Community Co-op. So get involved….new volunteers wishing to become Co-Op members are always welcome!!!
LaDIYfest Bristol (FB page) in association with Bristol Anarchist Bookfair 2016 present an evening of good food, friends, music and poetry! Starts 6pm (and see FB event)
Featuring…
GOREM & AVONA – Members of Viva Zapata! bringing rich sounds of folk, punk into stories of the wild, love and resistance.
LEILIAH JANE KING – Spoken word to fill your senses!
BEX – Insane spanish guitar with grunge twist.
PLUS: Kebele vegan meal, three courses including cake provided by the Bookfair collective and LaDIYfest. Spirits and Mixers available for a suggested donation of £2.50 each!
£5 suggested donation – all proceeds go to the costs of putting on the Bookfair and AfterParty – which is on 30th April 2016 at Trinity Centre!
