Notts Save Our Services – archived site
Defending jobs, services, welfare & education against cuts in Nottingham and Nottinghamshire
We’ve produced the second of our newsletters in two-page format to make it easier to print off. We’ll also be distributing these on Notts SOS stalls. Hope you like it. Get in touch if you’d like to contribute to the next, or just send us a short article or information about your anti-cuts activities.
Read/download Notts SOS Newsletter No. 2 – Word version: nottssos_newsletter_2_dec_2010_final.doc
Read/download Notts SOS Newsletter No. 2 – PDF version: nottssos_newsletter_2_dec_2010_final.pdf
UPDATE: Occupation of Great Hall now suspended – meet 6pm instead at Portland Building. 03/11/2010.
UPDATE: Billy Bragg visited the occupation 03/11/2010.. See also: http://nottingham.indymedia.org.uk/articles/757
UPDATE: Press Release Thursday evening 02/11/2010
Students from the University of Nottingham peacefully occupying the Great Hall of the Trent Building in protest against rising fees and cuts in higher education spending have been told to leave the building by 4pm today or they will be in violation of the code of conduct. However, following countless emails of solidarity, numerous donations of money, food and other supplies, and visits from professors, lecturers, teachers, school students and parents to show their support, the students have decided to peacefully continue the occupation. Website: http://nsafc.wordpress.com Email: nsafac [at] gmail.com
The occupation of the Great Hall in the Trent Building at University of Nottingham continues into its second day and more people are invited to get involved in the day, to stay over night or both. People are currently free to come and go. There have been meetings and lecturers speaking on various subjects. There is a quiet study area, huge meeting area and some free food. Amongst the things occupiers are asking for are stationery and art materials, films on DVD, internet (GPRS) dongles, games, more food, microwave cookers, blankets and heaters. If you are going take warm clothes and a sleeping bag plus blankets. See website ‘Nottingham Students Against Fees and Cuts!’: http://nsafc.wordpress.com/ for the latest news and more about events that have taken place so far, and what is planned for the rest of the week and beyond.
Download occupation leaflet with information about daily meetings at 1pm: nottingham_university_occupation_leaflet_1_dec_2010 [PDF]
Directions:
Trent Building is Building 11 on this map:
http://www.nottingham.ac.uk/sharedresources/documents/mapuniversitypark.pdf
Download PCS union letter of support: [Word format] or [PDF format].
Text of statement by UCU to Vice-Chancellor:
This is a copy of the message sent earlier today to the VC
Dear Professor Greenaway,
We are aware that a group of students has occupied the Great Hall in protest over the planned increase in tuition fees and proposed cuts to HE funding. We share similar concerns about the financial cut-backs in Higher Education and urge you to engage with the students constructively and treat their concerns seriously.
Yours sincerely,
Mike Byrne
Secretary – University of Nottingham UCU
(on behalf of the local UCU committee)
Read more solidarity messages.
Original demands (to be added to, including turn the heating and internet back on!):
Students at Nottingham University have occupied The Great Hall in The Trent Building on University Park.
They say:
1. We demand that the University of Nottingham lobby the Russell Group and the government and issue a statement condemning all cuts to higher education, the EMA and the rise in tuition fees.
2. We demand that the University of Nottingham implement a complete open book policy in regards to existing budget constraints
3. We demand that the University of Nottingham ensure no redundancies for teaching, research or support staff.
4. Ensure that no victimization or repercussions for anyone participating in the occupation.
5. Allow free access in and out of the building.
Contact info:
Website ‘Nottingham Students Against Fees and Cuts!’: http://nsafc.wordpress.com/
Twitter: http://twitter.com/nsafc
Email: nsacaf [at] gmail.com
Elsewhere in the UK ….
Occupation in Sheffield: http://sheffieldoccupation.tumblr.com/
Watch University College London ‘dance-off video’: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jEkk2eUCY1Y&feature=player_embedded
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jEkk2eUCY1Y&feature=player_embedded]
NEW: Press Release late evening 30/11/2010: Nottingham Students Plan to Keep Occupying University. “A General meeting, open to EVERYONE will take place 1pm tomorrow (Wednesday) at the great hall here at the uni of Nottingham! Come along!”
See also: Emergency Motion passed at UCU Special HE Sector Conference, Manchester 25/11/2010
The message announcing the occupation came on Facebook at around 12.40pm today. Nottingham is now added to the cities where students and supporters have occupied university buildings over education cuts and fee rises in the last couple of weeks. The occupation is of the Great Hall, Trent Building, University Park, Nottingham, NG7 2RD. [Map]. Download campus map (building no. 11). See also NSAFC website: http://nsafc.wordpress.com/2010/11/30/occupied-nottingham/. To follow on twitter: follow @nsafc
Listen to Guardian interview with one of the 150 Nottingham occupiers.
UK wide live coverage via the Guardian website: http://www.guardian.co.uk/education/blog/2010/nov/30/student-protests-live-coverage. BBC news : Tuition fee protesters in ‘cat and mouse’ with police. WATCH USEFUL VIDEO about week long occupation continuing in London. USEFUL LINK to UK-wide actions: http://libcom.org/news/november-30th-day-action-against-cuts-fees-30112010. NEW: Guardian round-up of 30th Nov action [long video].
From the occupation:
NOTTINGHAM UNI IS IN OCCUPATION
Students of the University of Nottingham and their supporters are currently occupying the Great Hall to add pressure to Nottingham University management to meet the following demands:
1. We demand that the University of Nottingham lobby the Russell Group and the government and issue a statement condemning all cuts to higher education, the EMA and the rise in tuition fees.
2. We demand that the University of Nottingham implement a complete open book policy in regards to existing budget constraints.
3. We demand that the University of Nottingham ensure no redundancies for teaching, research or support staff.
4. Ensure that no victimization or repercussions for anyone participating in the occupation.
5. Allow free access in and out of the building.
MORE INFO
Links to Facebook, website, twitter: https://nottssos.org.uk/2010/11/26/the-student-revolt-is-on-in-nottingham-get-info-via-website-facebook-twitter-email/
UK updates:
Quick updates from students around the country (and beyond!)
GREAT HALL OCCUPIED AT NOTTINGHAM UNIVERSITY – as per above!
Thousands of students marching in London. Going down Whitehall the Police attempted to kettle them, students ran back and are now going down Oxford Street. Bus drivers honking horns in unison, chants of “Workers and Students – Unite and Fight”.
60 people have occupied Birmingham City Council Chamber
Brighton and Hove have removed staff from offices in anticipation of demonstrations.
Liverpool University roof occupied and banners hung.
ITALY – Thousands marching in Rome, Genoa, Milan, Turin, Naples, Venice, Palermo and Bari. Chanting “They block our future, we block their cities”.
Hundreds outside Vince Cable’s office in Twickenham chanting “Shame on you for turning blue”.
700 students have occupied Leeds University. Again!
Hundreds marching in Sheffield to Nick Clegg’s office chanting “Nick Clegg we know you – You’re a ——- Tory too”.
Three banks closed in Leeds anticipating occupations.
2,000 marching in Manchester. University occupation continues.
UCU and PCS union members join march in Leeds.
School and sixth form students walk out in Hardenhuish, Chippenham, more from Sheldon on their way to join.
Edinburgh march with coffins “RIP Education” on the side.
Leeds police attempt to kettle students. Students chant “Too many kettles – not enough tea!”
Several hundred marching in Bristol.
King’s College London occupied.
Plymouth University in occupation for EIGHTH day.
Mass walkouts in Cardiff.
Many hundreds protesting in Colchester.
As you will have seen elsewhere on our website, anti-fees/cuts action is being taken by Nottingham students and staff at both Nottingham Trent University and University of Nottingham today (now supported by UCU and NUS locally), and a Third Day of Action Against Cuts to Education has been called already to take place in the Market Square, Nottingham city centre, on Saturday, December 4 from 2:00pm – 5:00pm.
Facebook: Official Nottinghamshire Protest against the cuts to education
NOTE: This was originally advertised for Sunday, but it has been brought forward a day and the time is now 2pm, so people can start at the Vodafone demo at 1pm, then continue in the Square.
The organisers are keen that this is not only involving students but all who will be affected by the education cuts and fees increases and encourage creative methods of protest,
“The student occupations at Edinburgh, Newcastle, Cambridge and UCL universities, and the Royal Holloway Against Cuts group have all voted to call for a day of local demonstrations across the UK against cuts in education.
The decision was taken to hold this third national day of action on a Sunday so that parents, younger students, trade unionists and other supporters of the campaign who aren’t able to join us on the walkouts can take part.
We need to draw in all the other groups who are fighting against cuts, and who want to support our fight to save education and defend EMA.
In Nottingham we are holding a rally in the city centre, for everyone affected by the cuts to the public sector. This isn’t just for university students, it’s also for teachers, staff, lecturers, college students, secondary school pupils, primary school pupils, parents, workers in the public sector, trade unionists.
Help spread the word- invite your friends to this event on facebook, print off some leaflets to hand out at your school/college/workplace.
ALSO! Keep in mind, a national day of action does not just have to be just marches and speeches organised by a few people. Get together with people you know and plan something creative/devious/disruptive/fun/progressive/meaningful.”
After successful protests last week, the new campaign Nottingham Students Against Fees and Cuts invites students and staff to get involved on Tuesday 30th November saying,
All out for next Tuesday!
As we are sure you are all aware there has been action up and down the country this week against the government’s shameless attack on our education.At University of Nottingham urgent action is needed to co-ordinate the campaign – a big rally on campus is one thing – but walkouts and rallies at local schools, colleges and at Trent Uni too is what is going to make this a fight we can win!
University of Nottingham – Time: Tuesday, November 30 · 11:30am. Location: Portland Building steps, Students’ Union, University of Nottingham.
Also at Nottingham Trent University – Meet 12 noon, Students’ Union, Byron House, Shakespeare St. for a march.
Here is how you can help:
1. Invite all your friends to the Facebook event page, and tell everyone you know about the protest (outside of Facebook too)!
2. Join us flyering – from 11:30 Friday & Monday outside the Portland building (near the cash points).
3. Pick up posters from us & put them up in your halls/local shops etc.
4. Encourage all the education workers – academics, admin, cleaners and even security to join us and take action!
5. If you are not at Nottingham Uni but want to co-ordinate some action – get in touch!
Website ‘Nottingham Students Against Fees and Cuts!’: http://nsafc.wordpress.com/
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=144577568927052
Twitter: http://twitter.com/nsafc
Email: nsacaf [at] gmail.com
Flyer/Poster PDF: action_fees_cuts_30_nov_2010.pdf
NEW: See COVERAGE WITH PHOTOS OF NOTTM UNI DEMO AND BINGHAM TOOT HILL SCHOOL PROTEST ON NOTTS INDYMEDIA. See also: http://newarkadvertiser.co.uk/articles/news/Students-make-fees-protest
Around 60 students form Toot Hill school in Bingham walked out of classes as part of the Day of Action. Students congregated on the steps of the Council House at around midday.
At 2.00pm there was a Rally outside the Portland Building at the University of
Nottingham and more than 50 marched to the Trent building with banner. See COVERAGE OF MARCHES IN NOTTINGHAM, LINCOLN, LEICESTER ON ITV CENTRAL NEWS.
At 4.00pm there was a ‘Teach In’ inside the Portland Building, where 40 students, staff and other NottsSOS members met to work towards future activities: Watch this space!
And all day the Tory Party HQ in Nottingham was closed because they thought it would be attacked again. It’s good that they have had to acknowledge the strength of feeling against them, and nice of them to save us the trouble of demonstrating there by closing down anyway!
Let us know if we have missed any events you were involved in.
We want to encourage more students – at school, college and uni – to take action and work together. Nottingham has never been especially radical in terms of student politics. However, direct action has been taken at University of Nottingham several times on various issues. When the war in Iraq began hundreds of school children walked out of class to join a massive city centre demo. So we can do it!
If we could get a massive reaction in Nottingham against the introduction of higher tuition fees and threats to Educational Maintenance Allowance for younger students, that would be proof that this current unrest is no flash in the pan but indicative of a desire for real social change. Young people will take what they are entitled to if the ConDems won’t listen, and their teachers and Notts SOS will support them.
See also: UK COVERAGE on The Guardian website and on BBC.
Plan for follow up STUDENT STRIKE on Tuesday 30th November (Facebook link).
NEW: View poster for 30th November follow up action.. Contact email NSACAF@GMAIL.COM
NEW: What happened in Nottingham on the 24th? [report with links to photos and midlands TV coverage]
NEW (from London demo): Mounted Police charge protesters at Whitehall 24 November : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rgxwTF-qeAo
Commentary on Guardian website: Student protests: video shows mounted police charging London crowdMet police issue denial but witnesses tell of terrifying ordeal.
24 November: National Walkout against Student Fees and Cuts. In our region, so far there are walkouts being advertised in Leicester, Lincoln and Loughborough and Nottingham.
University of Nottingham action confirmed for Wed 24th is as follows: Rally at 2pm on Portland Building steps [view campus map – PDF]. Download Teach-in Leaflet. Then meeting at University of Nottingham, 4PM, ROOM D138 PORTLAND BUILDING, NOTTINGHAM UNI to join students and staff in open discussion. Speakers from University and College Union (UCU), Notts Save Our Services + Many more TBC. Info: 07849392842.
25 November: WE ARE ONE ‘Night of Light’ demonstration in Gedling to protest at the government closure of Gedling School – meet 5:30pm in the Phoenix pub car park [directions here]. Bring Glo sticks, torches … anything bright. Call Dale Vizzard for details: 07833762387. All welcome. Support from NUT: http://www.nottsnut.co.uk/index.html
SAVE GEDLING SCHOOL
The campaign to save Gedling School and Specialist Science College from possible closure is organising a ‘night of lights’ evening demonstration this week. The event will demonstrate the widespread community support for the school.
The campaign began when Nottinghamshire council officers indicated they were minded to recommend the closure of Gedling School, with a decision to be taken by the council’s cabinet members on December 15.
Gedling is a popular and friendly school that excels in many areas – in 2009 it achieved the best science results in the whole of Nottinghamshire. Since the possibility of closure has been publicised there has been an upsurge of support for the school across community and party lines. In a meeting on Monday afternoon both Conservative and Labour Gedling District councillors told Nottinghamshire officials that their plans were based on incorrect statistics and muddled thinking.
The event will begin on Thursday November 25 at 5.30pm. Supporters are asked to assemble at the Phoenix Pub (on Wollaton Avenue. Nottingham NG4 4HU), before marching down Wollaton Avenue to a campaign rally that will take place within the grounds of the school. Bring torches,
glo sticks….anything bright!Chair of the campaign committee, and parent governor, Caroline Diss, said:
“Any possible withdrawal of our local school, with its specialism and outstanding results in science, and which is at the heart of the local community, would represent a blow to any notion of parental choice.
There are no places in neighbouring schools that perform well in the area leaving the only alternative option for Gedling parents a school that is in special measures.“We know that no member of the cabinet would want that for their children. They have the power to stop this nightmare scenario happening to ours We implore them to reject the local authority’s recommendation to consult on closure of Gedling School”
Terry Chambers, Head of Year 9, said: “We feel it was important to show the strength of feeling, not only from the pupils but also the parents, the staff, ex-pupils and the whole community against the closure of our school. Any closure would have a devastating effect on the whole community. It seems crucial decisions of this kind are based on spurious data and statistics when the reality is that they will be
destroying the future of so many people.”
LINKS:
Save Gedling School: http://savegedlingschool.wordpress.com/
Save Gedling School (campaign supporters network): http://savegedlingschool.ning.com/
Save Gedling School Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Save-Our-School-The-Gedling-School/146243182088229
Here is the latest round-up of mainstream press reporting on cuts and anti-cuts action from Notts Indymedia.
Notts Cuts Watch #6 Week 6 Covering November 15-21: http://notts.indymedia.org.uk/articles/666
Previous reports: https://nottssos.org.uk/in-the-news/
Tonight’s regular Monday meeting is at 7.30pm at the usual venue. Details here: https://nottssos.org.uk/contact/
Events this week include Gedling school protest march on Thursday and student fees actions on Wednesday.
Also this week: Thursday 25th November. Sumac Debates: Cutting up our Communities
Venue: The Sumac Centre, 245 Gladstone Street, Forest Fields, Nottingham, NG7 6HX. 7.30pm. This is one of an ongoing new series of open discussions at the Sumac Centre with an anti-capitalist theme. Come to listen or talk or both.
Nottingham Evening Post, 19/11/2010: “Tory headquarters in Nottingham strewn with graffiti and windows smashed”.
THE Tory headquarters in Nottingham have been vandalised for the second time in a week in protest at Government cuts and “in solidarity” with the Millbank riots.
Photographs on Notts Indymedia: http://nottingham.indymedia.org.uk/articles/677
Statement on Notts Indymedia: http://nottingham.indymedia.org.uk/articles/676
More news links from Notts SOS: https://nottssos.org.uk/in-the-news/
Download leaflet we’ll be handing out on the demonstration taking place on Saturday: leaflet_for_demo_nov_20_with_dates.pdf
Upcoming Campaign events:
22 November: Regular Notts SOS Campaign organising/committee meeting – 7:30pm, International Community Centre, Mansfield Road, Nottingham. Venue details here: https://nottssos.org.uk/contact/
24 November: National Walkout against Student Fees In our region, so far there are walkouts being advertised in Leicester, Lincoln and Loughborough and Nottingham.
25 November: WE ARE ONE ‘Night of Light’ demonstration in Gedling to protest at the government closure of Gedling School – meet 5:30pm at the Phoenix pub [directions here]. Brign Glo sticks, torches … anything bright. Call Dale Vizzard for details: 07833762387.
29 November: Notts SOS Campaign organising/committee meeting – 7:30pm, International Community Centre, Mansfield Road, Nottingham.
4 December: Protest against corporate tax evasion – 1pm outside Vodafone on Clumber Street, Nottingham with march onto Boots on Wheeler gate. Part of a nationwide protest against Vodafone and Boots who evade billions of pounds in tax.
6 December: Notts SOS Campaign organising/committee meeting – 7:30pm, International Community Centre, Mansfield Road, Nottingham.
