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Quick - to the secret bunker!

Since I have started my new role as Cultural Partnerships Co-ordinator down the road in Chelmsford, I have been afforded some time to get to know what’s happening across England’s finest shire and how, as a city, we can take part in its ongoing transformation into a genuine county of culture.

One of the projects I have grown to love is Essex Book Festival, getting to know the unstoppable organisers Ros Green and Jo Nancarrow, bringing much needed dynamism to our definition of arts and culture - challenging perceived boundaries and broadening engagement in literature.

My pick of the festival so far has been the Figuring Peace Panel hosted at firstsite with Giles Duley, Maggie Hambling and Hamja Ahsan. (check out Hamja’s movement to establish ’Aspergistan’ a utopian state for introverted people and Gile’s TED Talk).

My next pick is to be hosted on the 25th March at the Kelvedon Hatch Secret Nuclear Bunker - an ex government Cold War hideaway which was operational from 1952 right through to 1994 - a poignant choice of venue given the state of current affairs.

Working with an array of different partners, Ros and Jo have curated what looks like an incredible not-to-be-missed day, inspired by the bunker’s history - ‘its ‘raison d’être’ and the thoughts and feelings it provokes.

Activities take place from 10am to 9pm, in disused rooms, stairways and corridors, from the canteen common room to the bunker plant room, through to the Prime Minister’s bedroom.

The programme includes Haiku Poetry Sessions and workshops to design your own peace symbol with Young Essex; artist installations by the legendary likes of Chris Dobrowolski and Nicola Werenowska; and, amongst a vast amount of other things, a smattering of interactive theatre called ‘Dystopian Stories’ by Small Plates Theatre Group.

The brochure says it promises to be a ‘truly immersive experience in this labyrinth of unearthly delights’. What’s not to like!?

Pick up a stunning dedicated print brochure for the event (designed by my good friend Ben Philp) at venues across Essex or visit the festival website for a full breakdown of events contained within the bunker programme.

This one looks like it’s to be missed!

USEFUL INFORMATION

Daytime Children’s events are FREE to all bunker visitors (bunker entry fees apply). Talks, panel discussions and the writers’ workshop during the day are individually priced. Note they do not include the admission price for the bunker, which is payable in cash on the door.

Evening Tickets for The Nuclear Option are £10 Please note this does not include the admission price for the bunker, which is payable in cash on the door.

Entry to the Bunker Adults: £7.50 Children: £5.50 (5-16 Years) Family: £18.00 (2 Adults + 2 Children) Group Discount 15+ Adults: £7.00 Children: £5.00 The Bunker is unable to accept credit or debit cards, so please bring cash to pay for your admission. 

Travel A free coach will run from Focal Point Gallery to Kelvedon Hatch Secret Nuclear Bunker. Outward: 1.30pm - Focal Point Gallery, Elmer Ave, Southend-on-Sea, SS1 1NB to the Bunker. Return: 9.15pm - The Bunker to Focal Point Gallery.

Bookings Online: essexbookfestival.org.uk courtesy of Focal Point Galley: New Geographies.

Access Disabled access to the bunker is limited – please visit secretnuclearbunker.com for more information, call the Bunker on 01277 364883, or email mike@japarrish.com

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Let’s Talk Equality...

Equality. A huge subject that touches almost every aspect of our daily lives. From international affairs across our many borders to grassroots projects in our local communities, equality is an ever evolving, always shifting topic for conversation.

In 1381, John Ball, an English Lollard priest (who apparently lived in Colchester), was tried and executed for treason, having joined forces with Wat Tyler to lead the Peasants' Revolt. A lone voice for many years, John Ball gave his life for a belief in social equality. And for the past 600 years and more, he has been an inspiration to men and women determined to challenge injustice.

Colchester’s John Ball Society continues his legacy by choosing 15 July, the date of Ball's death, to celebrate with an egalitarian festival of politics, music and the arts that John Ball would be proud of. John Ball Day.

The part of the festival I am most excited about is a session at firstsite called ‘Let’s Talk about Equality’. A panel that includes Shami Chakrabarti (Labour), Dr. Pamela Cox (University of Essex), Autumn Parker (A member of Teen Speech) and David Isaac CBE (Chair of the Equality and Human Rights Commission) who will be responsible (with the audience) for kick-starting a conversation that I hope will continue and evolve as part of an annual event, in our hometown for years to come.

My small contribution, amongst other things, has been to support a group of 16 -17-year-old design students to work with Brian Light and the John Ball Society to redesign a pamphlet called ‘A Colchester Rebel’. A short study of John Ball, first published in 1981 by Brian Bird, Vicar of Edwardstone and Rector of Groton, Suffolk.

They also created a logo. It was refreshing to see how young people reacted to and interpreted John Ball’s message – particularly apt, as the future generation and custodians for this subject.

In the Author Brian Bird’s words  “I offer this small study to the memory of a dedicated man, centuries ahead of his time, who had a vision of what England might become, and who died bravely for what he sincerely believed.”

Pamphlets will be available for free at all the participating venues over the weekend. Discover your inner rebel and choose one of the day’s event online here.

© Image gleaned from The Daily Drop Cap

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We need to talk tactics...

Who do I listen to? The pollsters, the bookies, the newspapers, the doorsteppers, my lefty leaning socialist bubble or even the candidate!?

Last week, the local message was that the tide had finally turned in Colchester. Two polls (You Gov and Lord Ashcroft) officially put Tim Young and Labour ahead of Bob Russell and the Liberal Democrats, in the race to defeat Will Quince and become the local MP.

According to the Gazette, if you want rid of austerity and you can’t find it in yourself to forgive the Lib Dems, there is now no need for a tactical vote!? 

This was music to my non-tactical Labour loving ears – great news #TIMCANWIN and Corbyn was surging too – hoozah!

I have already declared myself as a non-tactical, with-my-heart Labour voter. The Manifesto was just too good not to get behind, and I am now in Harwich and North Essex – where Rosalind’s story is somewhat different to Tim’s in Colchester.

However, as we edged closer to the weekend, it became increasingly apparent that amongst my Colchester friends, there was a distinct lack of trust in both the above Tory-owned Polls.

eg. "Hi Marc, do you know if that poll that says labour are second locally is accurate? I vote labour anyway but people are saying that poll isn't accurate (the Lord ascroft one or whatever it is) and that people need to vote lib dem to get the tories out. Confusing!"

Checking the bookmakers... they still have Tim at 50-1 compared with Bob’s average of 8-1. F&?#! Quincey boy is 1/9 with Sky Bet.

...checking again on the Progressive Alliance and Tactical 2017 websites, they both have Colchester down as a ‘must win seat’... and say the best tactical maneuver is to ‘vote and campaign for the Liberal Democrats.’

But it feels like their data might be obsolete and out-of-date?

Then my friend Annemarie shares this blog post by Nate Silver asking ‘Are The U.K. Polls Skewed?’

Argggghhh... I can see why people are confused!

I turned to my local Labour Party Membership Facebook Forum for help, in a hope to garner something more concrete, official and shareable than my lowly uneducated hunch.

I believe strongly this is something the local party should be posting about on their official blog.

My query pointed me to an increase in paid up local membership, up to 1143 – bigger than some actual Labour seats!

From the doorsteps Isobel Sanderson said...

In terms of feedback I'm getting from people pretty much everyone under 35 who I've spoken to has expressed their support of Labour, most middle class women with kids say yes to labour, older middle class women like Labour, and I've spoken to more c2DE Labour voters than ever before who will vote Labour.

Nothing official on the blog yet from Tim, but he did post the following on social media.

One final message re tactical voting. I understand there is something in The Guardian suggesting that the LibDems are the challengers in Colchester.

Those of us who have been on the streets talking to people know this isn't true. It is purely based on old, outdated info and the result of the last election.

That was when they lost 20% of vote share and lost the seat by over 5000 votes. Colchester has continued to change since then. More new housing and a huge increase in newly registered voters.

Labour has taken seats off the LibDems at Borough & County Council level. Two polls that put Labour in 2nd place and canvass returns that demonstrate a surge in Labour support and a slump in LibDem support is all the up to date proof that you need. We have overtaken the LibDems and are closing in on the Tories. The local Greens are encouraging their supporters to vote Labour. We are all Labour so we vote Labour. Don't forget what happened in 2010 - no wonder the LibDem vote is in meltdown.

Thanks for your support. Tim

Back to the fact gathering... just 48 hours to go.... I am going to continue adding things as I find... and you can too. 

Please share any ammunition you have, backing the fact that Labour are infact ahead of the Lib Dems in Colchester and there is now no need for a tactical vote!? Post as a comment, facebook DM or drop me an email. 

NOTE: I am not after emotive hunches, media hype or Tory hate, just polls, independent research and expert opinion (if there is such a thing) + any personal door step accounts.

Help me convince those voters within my social lefty leaning bubble that a Lib Dem Tactical Vote is dead. 

At the point of writing this, I can see plenty of votes still to be won.

AND EVERY VOTE WILL COUNT.

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A Hustings for Young People?

Image by scottmontreal

The below email letter was sent to the following Colchester Ge2017 Candidates: Mark Goacher (Green Party), Will Quince (Conservative and Unionist Party), Robin Rennie (Christian Peoples Alliance), Bob Russell (Liberal Democrats) and Tim Young (Labour Party) 

and then the following Harwich and North Essex Candidates

Dominic Graham (Liberal Democrats), Bernard Jenkin (Conservative and Unionist Party), Blake Paul Roberts (Green Party), Rosalind Scott (Labour Party) and Stephen Todd (Christian Peoples Alliance). 

Note: I cannot find a public email address for  Aaron Brett Hammond UK Independence Party (UKIP) if you have one please share as a comment.

Dear Will, Tim, Rosalind, Mark, Robin, Dominic, Blake, Bernerd, Stephen and Bob and Aaron,

Young people are important to me. They are our country's future. However in my opinion, their engagement in democratic processes that shape that future is critically low.

In April a friend, Annemarie Naylor, inspired me to make a pledge, to help get more young people, aged between 18-24 to vote. The current election was called a short notice. This made making new plans (for GE 2017) challenging. 

However, I believe, as well as this coming election, we have to start thinking long term. I also believe we have to take the conversation to young people where they already are. I think we should start talking them earlier than the age of 18 too.

With this in mind, I am asking all candidates in Colchester as well as Harwich and North Essex Constituencies for one small and simple commitment. 

If you win your seat (or even if you don't!), will you work with me to try and ensure there is a Hustings at Essex University as well as, importantly, Colchester Sixth Form and/or Colchester Institute in the lead up to the next general election and ensure it is embedded as a regular local feature for future elections too?

FYI, to build a wider community conversation on this subject, I will be posting this letter on my personal blog and with permission, your responses too. 

Best wishes, good luck and thank you for your time.

Marc De’ath PS. I am aware there are plans afoot for hustings at Essex Uni for GE 2017.

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So what are you going to do next?

(Image: 2013 The Waiting Room when we first started)

The time has finally come for the Waiting Room to close its doors. We always knew the project was going to be temporary or ‘meanwhile’ as it’s called in the trade. In fact, it was originally funded and designed to pop-up for just 12 months! 

3.5 years (42 months) later and we’ve decided to call it a day. We’re making way for impending development of St. Botolph’s which will involve the demolition of our current building and the area around us turning into a building site.

Naturally, as we plan our New Year’s Eve Final Showdown, on a personal note I find myself looking back, remembering how things started...

As my involvement in 15 Queen Street drew to a close, a chance conversation between myself, Kaavous Clayton (Head Curator at the Minories) and Jayne Knowles (Head of the School of Art) got us all thinking about how we could utilise the smashed up, boarded up, derelict local bus station waiting room to build on the sense of grassroots creative community burgeoning around us.

I also find myself looking back at what we set out to achieve. I think it can be summarised as:

To prototype a new community owned and managed cultural facility/social space for Colchester – bottom up style

To find out how open access and DIY could work as a model

To test if we can be self sustaining while providing space for unique creative performances and presentations

To pilot a Makerspace workshop

To disrupt the regeneration of the St. Botolph’s and show how it could be done differently – building on – not over – the ‘fine grain’

To influence the approach to transforming the Old Police Station (now known as 37 Queen Street) into a ‘Creative Business Centre’

To demonstrate our capacity and capability as a community to build and operate viable resilient enterprising ‘Assets of Community Value’ while showcasing the tangible added benefits of a bottom up way of working

Finally, I also find myself getting asked – “What’s next?” ... 

As a team, once the whirlwind of running the space comes to an end, we’ll be debriefing and reviewing our goals and what we set out to achieve. 

We’re already talking to local partners about rehoming the Makerspace in an exciting town centre location and things like the Food Coop and Bazaar are quickly finding new places to thrive. 

On the venue side of things, we think we’ve identified a clear gap, a model that works and something the community loves. We feel there is room in Colchester for a 150ish capacity do-it-yourself style venue that provides room for highly creative and unique content in a unique setting. Somewhere smaller than our amazing Arts Centre but with more of a proper venue vibe than a pub or function room. It’s been an incredible collective effort by a small group of individuals. After the festive period and new year celebrations, we’ll be clearing out the space, having a rest and focussing our day jobs. We’ll be taking time to step back and let what we’ve achieved to sink in. 

We’re the first to admit when you are flat-out running things, it can be challenging to get perspective and take an objective view. What’s worked, what’s worth keeping, what’s not quite right. What objective did we meet and, importantly, where did we fail? Then, only based on all that, can we work out what to do next... should there even be a next? One thing I have learned and am very proud of is when we embarked on this journey we wanted to make this project bigger than a physical building. We set out to make it about people, relationships, a sense of belonging, creativity, resilience and a community.

I think we can safely say, where ever else we went wrong, we definitely hit the mark there!

–––

Join me and the Waiting Room ‘family’ for our final party and welcome the new year in style – celebrating 3.5 years of truly positive vibes and community love. 31st December 2016 8pm until 3am.

The Waiting Room's favourite DJs past and present are coming together for a final showdown – back to back.

£5 per ticket (Only in advance) Over 18s only Numbers are limited so book early Purchase tickets online (using this link).

This event follows our free, family-friendly day-time event from 3pm - 8pm. See events calendar for details.

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Still the Enemy Within

I went to see Still the Enemy Within last night at Colchester Arts Centre. Thanks Anthony Roberts for organising.

It really hit home what short memories we have. Whether its brutally destroying communities of public service workers without compassion or an unjust war on Iraq, they've all let us down, and no doubt will continue to do so. At least until they serve us instead of us serving them.

Has our generation ever had a someone in power we can be proud of? Imagine what that would feel like...

Have we ever seen a Prime Minister who has earned their power and influence?

Imagine if the Miners had social media... Imagine if we had half of their galvanised sense of belonging, organisation and collective purpose.

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Council Tax Q&A

Earlier in the week I posted a second round of focussed questions (see post here) to Darius Laws, a Conservative and the new Colchester Borough Councillor for Castle Ward (my home Ward). The questions were connected to my concern about his party’s policy on “making sure no-one can claim Council Tax benefits unless they have lived in Colchester for at least 3 years”.

The post was made in frustration after not getting clear enough answers to my first post, made during the election campaign. 

At this stage, it is important to note (as Colchester Chronicle pointed out), while Darius won in my ward, and the Colchester people elected his colleague Will Quince as our MP, the conservatives find themselves in opposition within the local council after failing to get a majority.

While Darius and his colleagues don’t really have the clout to impose the policy locally. I think its important to observe where we could be heading locally and think it speaks volumes the mindset of the party who have a majority in Westminster.

For me, it provokes thoughts about what kind of country I want to live in and the place we want our home Colchester to be.

As requested Darius kindly post his answers as a comment. But to make it slightly easier to read and digest, I have reformatted inline below.  What do you think? My thoughts to follow.

Darius started by saying... “Firstly can I clarify the wording of the policy “… no-one of working age can claim Council Tax benefits unless they have lived in Colchester for at least 3 years.” The policy is written in benefits language, where the “Claim” is the initial justified and evidenced request for a benefit, which if successful, is then “paid” until the claimant is no longer eligible.Thus anyone who has successfully made a “claim” prior to this policy being brought into effect would continue to be “paid” the benefits until they were no longer eligible. The policy would only affect those making an initial “claim” after the implementation date.”

Q1. Your party are concerned that London Boroughs are buying houses up in the Borough of Colchester. You think this is a problem that requires attention because they are moving residents who are claiming Council Tax benefits out of their borough into ours - thus transferring the Council Tax benefit ‘burden’ to our local purse. An example was provided by your colleague Ben Locker (link here)

Darius. We are concerned that London Boroughs may buy houses in the Borough. There is an obligation to inform the receiving District because the Exporting London Borough is not the housing authority in the receiving area. However, we know that several London Boroughs have failed to notify other receiving authorities until well after the event.

The principal cost is to the Social Services provider (which is not CBC) for which there is no mechanism to transfer funding from the London Borough to Essex County Council, and some of the case costs are quite exorbitant.

For Colchester, the issue is a social rather than fiscal policy. The savings to the CBC Local Council Tax Support Scheme are trivial. The Impact on ECC certainly is not. They have a fixed budget for Social Services. Thus if they have to spend more on incoming families with considerable need for support, there will be less support for existing recipients in the Borough.

Q2. Although the above linked example makes no reference to Colchester directly, you are confident that this particular council already own and/or are buying housing stock in Colchester?

Darius. We do not know, and the London Boroughs will not tell us. We do know that the practice is increasing as London Boroughs move to contain their social services costs. Therefore we will act to protect the interest of Colchester Taxpayers.

Q3. Our Council Tax contributions are shared between Essex County Council, Colchester Borough Council, Essex Fire Authority and Essex Police Authority as shown in the chart below?

Darius. Yes

Q4. Your share (Colchester Borough Council) of our Council Tax Contributions is ring fenced and split as follows?

Darius. Yes

Q5. Your party are championing the policy of Tendering Council (linked here) as good practice

Darius. No, we consider a 3 year qualifying period would better meet the social needs of Colchester. We do however support the general policy objectives as stated by Tendring:

Prevent those of working age who have no long term connection with the area gaining access to the limited funds available to the local authority for those who are in need of financial support currently residing in this Colchester.

To encourage those of working age to find employment.

To deter people in other areas from coming to the Colchester without being able to contribute economically to the Borough.

Q6. The CBC portion of Council Tax will not go up – during your term as Councillor for Castle ward – as a direct result of any increase of council tax benefit claimants moving into the borough?

Darius. We are the party of less government and if we are in control, the Council Tax will not go up.

Q7. However, more claimants would mean Colchester Borough has less money to spend on local services?

Darius. Yes, that is the consequence of living on a fixed income.

Q8. The number of Council Tax Benefit claims in an area does not influence central government allocation of funds for a local authority in any way?

Darius. In the explanation given by the previous Government on the devolution of control of this particular benefit to Local Authorities, we were told that The Council’s grant from Central Government was adjusted to include an element to finance a Local Council Tax Support Scheme. Thereafter, we would define our own scheme to meet the local circumstances of Colchester, with the ability to fund up to 80% of the Council Tax for the most needy of working age.

I cannot be sure that, lodged in the detail of the annual computations of our grants from Central Government, there is not some element that reflects the number of people on benefits.

Q9. Your party are promising to freeze Council Tax for 2015/16? But seeing as we are already part way into that period, could it even legally be changed part way through anyway?

Darius. I believe that our proposal to freeze the CBC element of Council Tax for the year 2015-16 was accepted by Colchester Borough Council at its budget meeting in February, therefore no further action would be needed to fulfil this promise in the remainder of the current civic year.

We have also pledged not to increase the CBC element in the civic year 2016-17.

Q10. The net inflow of families into social housing from London Boroughs was 7 last year. Which is considerably less than the number of residents moving in from London and paying full Council Tax?

Darius. They would not give us any information.

There have always been families moving to municipal housing in Colchester from London Boroughs, where the arrangements are managed by Colchester Borough Homes. One of the particular issue we are trying to address is where London Boroughs buy properties in another housing authority’s area and move their tenants, particularly tenants needing expensive social services support, and fail to make financial provision for their tenants in their new location.

The above applies to only one of the three underlying objectives. We still have to encourage those of working age to find employment, and to deter people of working age from other areas moving to Colchester without being able to contribute if they cannot make a contribution economically to the Borough.

However all the above is conjecture now as, despite the good people of Colchester voting overwhelmingly in support of the Conservatives, the political make up of CBC means we find ourselves in opposition.

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Council Tax

Dear Darius

Congratulations on your successful campaign and new role as Colchester Borough Councillor for Castle Ward.

On the 12th April, I posted a blog entry about my concerns relating to a policy that was referenced in some literature that was put through my letterbox. This was part of your campaign to get elected in my Ward. In particular, I was worried about the following comment, and I still am: 

"We also promise… make sure no-one can claim Council Tax benefits unless they have lived in Colchester for at least 3 years."

It took me a while to get anything close to a direct answer that I felt able to understand and, to be honest, I am still not 100% clear.

Since this is really important to me, as Colchester Borough Councillor for Castle Ward (my home ward) can you confirm that my understanding of the information provided by your colleagues in your absence is correct? For ease and speed, I have attempted to write them in a format that allows a simple yes/no answer to each. I’d appreciate answers as a comment below if at all possible.

1. Your party are concerned that London Boroughs are buying houses up in the Borough of Colchester. You think this is a problem that requires attention because they are moving residents who are claiming Council Tax benefits out of their borough into ours - thus transferring the Council Tax benefit ‘burden’ to our local purse. An example was provided by your colleague Ben Locker (link here) 

2. Although the above linked example makes no reference to Colchester directly, you are confident that this particular council already own and/or are buying housing stock in Colchester

3. Our Council Tax contributions are shared between Essex County Council, Colchester Borough Council, Essex Fire Authority and Essex Police Authority as shown in the chart below

4. Your share (Colchester Borough Council) of our Council Tax Contributions is ring fenced and split as follows

5. Your party are championing the policy of Tendering Council (linked here) as good practice

6. The CBC portion of Council Tax will not go up – during your term as Councillor for Castle ward – as a direct result of any increase of council tax benefit claimants moving into the borough

7. However, more claimants would mean Colchester Borough has less money to spend on local services

8. The number of Council Tax Benefit claims in an area does not influence central government allocation of funds for a local authority in any way

9. Your party are promising to freeze Council Tax for 2015/16? But seeing as we are already part way into that period, could it even legally be changed part way through anyway

10. The net inflow of families into social housing from London Boroughs was 7 last year. Which is considerably less than the number of residents moving in from London and paying full Council Tax

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Losing faith in a generation...

I used to be excited about the potential my generation had to disrupt make big stuff happen.

Now it's painful to watch that generation creep toward middle age and witness that fight peter out and make way to accepting the 'best of a bad bunch' while looking after number 1. Penned in by the little picket fences we're building around our mini meaningless empires while we watch others suffer with nothing.

I am losing faith in you.

There is no-one outstanding to vote for at national level. And there will be no one outstanding to vote for until we make politics less convoluted, more accessible and relevant to the every day people.

We're missing the boat (and point). Maybe we have time to start again?

Until we can get young people with fresh ideas and an imagination - free from the little picket fences - feeling excited about politics and like they can change things by getting involved, we're screwed.

Right now it feels like more good can be done outside of politics. And that, my friends, is why I believe, it's totally fucked. image: Gustave Deghilage

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Can I get a simple answer?

Last week I received a leaflet through my letterbox from my Castle Ward Conservative candidate Darius Laws. The leaflet says…

‘We also promise… make sure no-one can claim Council Tax benefits unless they have lived in Colchester for at least 3 years’ As someone who cares deeply about social injustice and inequality I wanted to unpack this some more…

I posted the question on Darius’ facebook timeline (shown below) and this is how the conversation went (I’d embed a live feed but cant due to privacy settings).

Darius has kindly taken the time to try and explain, but I still don’t get it…  I am wondering if anyone else can explain differently. Talking to me like a child and assuming no prior knowledge of the council tax system or central government contributions would help I think ;-) In particular, in the thread, I attempted to rephrase my question to help get the answer I need. Here it is again to emphasise. 

Darius said “As I understand it some councils (mostly London boroughs) buy up properties elsewhere to put their council tenants into them. They then come to us for council tax benefit. Colchester’s Conservative group on the council wish to prevent this by stipulating that claimants must have lived in the borough for a minimum of 3 years. Otherwise, it’s Colchester council tax payers who have to pay. Tendring have already done this, so seems a sensible policy?” The part I am still not clear on is… Will more council tax benefit claimants mean.. A. Resident’s Council Tax bills go up to cover a deficit B. The Council have less to spend on services covered by Council Tax C. Central Government covers the deficit from central funds

Thanks in advance… any insights can be posted as a comment below.

[marcde-ath]

Where the F**K is Colchester's Digital Economy?

We waited... put on some music, found some interesting speakers and convinced said commercial man to spend some of his 'marketing budget' on free beer. My fellow designers, illustrators, PR, Marketing and Art types emerged to help me drink it, signing up as paying members and forging the beginnings of Creative Colchester.

The Council tell us the Creative Industries is the fastest growing sector in Essex, last count Colchester boasts nearly 1500 creative companies with nearly 6000 employees - accounting for nearly 18.3 percent of businesses and 8 per cent of employees.

However a key component in the sector continued to and still does alude us – Where is Colchester's Digital Economy? – our tech gurus, innovators, open source pioneers, young anti-establishment hackers, inventor types and online activists.

Now it should be said, digital guru Gary Aston did drink enough beer for all the Web Developers in East Anglia put together, I am also sure Oli Watts secretly owns half of Rupert Murdoch's media empire, but still... try and find yourself a Digital Strategist or Ruby on Rails geek living in Colchester and you might be waiting some time.

I am pretty sure we are leaking talent. Does anyone have some tape...

Numerous attempts at building a community of fellow technology enthusiasts have started and frankly failed to impress.  It's time for one last ditch attempt - time to try something new.

On August 20th, I will host Dorkbot Colchester #1 at the Waiting Room. A fun, super informal, open door meetup for anyone, who like me, has an interest in technology. Be it as a professional, novice or amateur (Dorkbot's official strapline is 'people doing strange things with electricity').

Whether you are a 12 year old equivalent to Tim Berners-Lee, the next Julian Assange working quietly on the news desk at the Daily Gazette, a Soldering Guru, Stratgeist to the internet stars in the Big Smoke, Content Architect for a local start up, UXer, UIist, Drupal Dreamer or PHP Muncher. I need your help.

The 1st Dorkbot will be an anti-social.

It might be small.

It might just be me (that's happened before, ask Ben Howard).

It will definately involve beer.

Putting it bluntly I need some co-founders, people willing to get their hands dirty, who are committed to building an edgey but open technology community for Colchester. Not to take over the world, but simply to meet once a month, invite some kick arse speakers over, share knowledge, drink a beer and go from there,

If a co-founder (or two) turn up for a chat, we'll have Dorkbot Colchester #2, if they don't we wont. Simples.

Learn more about the international Dorkbot Movement. http://www.dorkbot.org Image: Blue Robot. Some Rights Reserved: Peyri Herrera

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In whom shall we trust?

I fell in love with St Botolph’s just over 10 years ago when I first pitched to take over the Minories building with Andy Roshay and Signals Media Arts at the very beginning of Kath Wood’s journey to move out and open firstsite.

Since this point I have had an overwhelming sense that the area is the last part Colchester, my home town, that can be diverted away from homogenisation, the last bastion of any genuine town centre heritage, diversity, uniqueness and social history that can be protected from the erosion brought about by an insatiable drive for ‘economic growth’.

You don’t have to look far – painfully – down toward the Hythe to see how it could all go very wrong, quickly, if we place our trust in the wrong people

In 2002. I was handed an opportunity to do something about it with Kath Wood at 15 Queen Street and then more recently the Waiting Room with Kaavous Clayton – both remarkable visionary people.

Right now, the Waiting Room offers me a chance to contribute in a small way, toward exploring what an alternative approach to ‘regeneration’ might look like. For now in St Botolph’s, but hopefully with a wider relevance in the long term. For me it offers an opportunity to work with other creative thinkers to punctuate the road we’re on as a town with a statement about the type of ‘place’ we want to live (work and play) as a community. We might be too late, but I think it needs to be done.

For me an alternative regeneration is not about building something new or about (unsustainable) economic growth, but instead, developing a new appreciation of what we already have - ‘building on the fine grain’ - and finding room for a different type of (sustainable) growth - growth within - be it emotional, spiritual, creative, cultural or something else..

This context means, I can answer the question quite simply, when asked what I want from the Waiting Room. I want it to be a space that develops a collective sense of new found appreciation - celebrating the beauty and excellence that can be found in our everyday - that is - the community around us, the people in it, the things we consume, the ingredients, materials and hands used to make them.

Maybe then we’ll have something to build a St Botolphs Quarter on.

If this statement that we are attempting to make attracts a group of people along the way with a sense of purpose and permanence in another home beyond the Waiting Room all the better!

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Debit cards. A social injustice?

Illustration: Some rights reserved by BankSimple

Yesterday I posted a comment on Facebook after being incensed by some project research I am undertaking.

It must have resonated. In three hours the post received 131 comments. I have posted it below so it is not lost. Please feel free to post further comments using disqus below.

Figure this…

You are on a low income with a poor credit rating, none of the banks will give you an account and those that will, wont give you a debit card.  You live in an increasingly cashless society. You know your bills are cheaper if you pay online. You understand it’s often cheaper to shop on the internet… But? You do the math…

As I write this extended post I am sitting in Merthyr Tydfil an ex mining town with breathtaking national park surroundings and residents who in general have been really welcoming.

However, some here – more than you’d like to think – are having a tough time financially.

In an effort to make things a bit easier, my organisation is working with a number of incredible partners to start Digital Merthyr, a project to support local residents to prototype the build and maintenance of their own Open Hybrid/Mesh Network.

Collectively we hope the project can enable residents to maintain an affordable connection to one another, the internet and in turn essential online services, digital skills and contemporary enterprise opportunities.

I had also hoped that improved connectivity for participating residents would mean they would experience increased financial inclusion, with access to greater choice and an improved deal on every day products and services. 

However, more than ever, I have become acutely aware that connectivity is only part of the solution. In the first instance, as my comment explains, some residents cant even access a bank account and those that can are often excluded from having a debit card to make online purchases. This can be for all sorts of reasons - lack of ID, a poor credit history, CCJ’s, low levels of financial literacy and no access to proper information to name a few.

Early investigation made me think pre-paid debit cards might be a God send. Projects like Splash Plastic, Ffrees and Bluebird (US). The comments that streamed in on facebook suggested my friends felt the same. But as you dig deeper you quickly begin to realise that the fees and T&C’s are often inaccessible and not so good after all. For example, see a post here about ‘The Dirty Little Secret’ behind Bluebird (not yet in the UK)

The best deal myself and Ben Locker could find in the UK was Ffrees, charging 4% for crediting the card with cash (if you have no access to make a free bank transfer or debit card credit). There was also the offer of no monthly fee if you can ensure you credit the card with £200 each month. If you are living a hand-to-mouth, neither are insignificant.

Oli Watts commented ‘why should citizens expect free banking (or a debit card type thing)? These systems have a cost to run’.

I actually agree. But in an increasingly cashless society, this does not make the situation fair.

I am talking about a digital and economic divide. While the financially wealthy have access to a wider selection of cheaper, better quality products and services online (e.g. groceries, knowledge, data, healthcare, jobs) and access to superior banking products, the divide will just continue to grow. Simple.

Is this something we want to see? Do I have my facts wrong? And, if not, how can we use tech to do something about it?

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Waiting Room - filling time.

Image from Creative Review coverage

After 18 months of nurturing retail start ups, the Hidden Kiosks will draw to a close. With the pending Bus Station move, the Creative Coop decided it was time to take a fresh look at the much coveted Waiting Room building…

Despite efforts by many, the St Botolph’s Quarter isn’t quite a destination as yet. And my feeling is, when Colchester’s travellers depart along with the Bus Station, things are only set to get tougher. What ever happens next needs to pack a punch.

Due to the economic climate, we find ourselves in a pregnant pause between phase one and two of our towns regeneration. Ideas abound and ambitious ‘master’ plans in place, our attentions must turn to how we can work together in the interim, to best utilise our community spirit and limited resource, to build on what we’ve started, help us to learn and steer us toward a more sustainable, community led future.

The waiting room offers one such opportunity to galvanize, unite, experiment, play and learn. With formal Education, Exhibition and Co working space already being provided, working with Jayne Knowles and Kaavous Clayton at Colchester School of Art, we investigated what I’m calling the ‘informal gap’…

Five key areas were identified for further exploration, these are:

Socialising

Learning

Making

Presenting

Selling

A decision was made that all activity should be done in a way to complement rather than compete with the existing economy. We want to set a new bench mark for meanwhile usage in the town. We strive to create a greater sense of destination, increase footfall and of course supporting the Borough’s development plans.

Here’s a little sneaky peek of our ideas…

1. Social Space A café/bar (you know the type we need) where Creative practitioners, crafts people, artisans and the wider public feel comfortable, can relax, meet and socialise. To build stronger bonds and develop relationships that lead to collaboration and exchanges that can grow the local creative economy.

2. Learning Space A Trade School (working in partnership with the marvellous Social Spaces) where Creative practitioners, crafts people and artisans can trade and barter knowledge skills and ideas between themselves and with the wider public, in an informal environment without exchanging money. Developing an alternative currency of creative exchange.

3. Making Space Decommission and revamping the old toilet block and current bus driver staff room to create work/hack/studio/installation spaces where people can begin to share and use equipment often unaccessible due to prohibitive cost - this is achieved though a system of collaborative consumption and cooperative buying.

4. Presentation Space Straddling across all areas there will be a policy to utilise space from the cafe to the outside of the building to encourage, curate and facilitate installations, exhibitions an general creative showmanship.

5. Selling Space A continuation and extension of an improved Hidden Kiosk retail incubator project, that allows Artists, Creatives, Craft People, Artisans and entreprenuers the ‘right to try’. Will the product I have made sell? Can my service work? Is my idea Sustainable?

Pack a punch?

We feel strongly the Waiting Room has the potential to become feasibility study and a test bed. One that ‘feed-through’ ideas and resources to the Old Police Station and other facilities in the area, using one space as a hot-house where ideas can seed, germinate and grow, developing into something more concrete and defined that can be taken forward for longer term sustainable initiatives. Ideas that are founded on solid research with it’s roots in our community…

Our ideas have been presented and are now with Colchester Borough Council.

We wait…

In the mean time the three of us would love to hear what you think in the comments below?

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Up Your Arts!

Image courtesy of Faye Savage

Those of you who know me, understand I am passionate about encouraging cross discipline collaboration between 'the arts' and the 'creative industries' - or mixing tidy desk based people with messy warehouse types.

I believe the real magic happens when creative people push their boundaries and surround themselves with people who force them outside of their comfort zone. I won't lie its also a strategic maneuver to better understand and support my home town's sub culture and in hope of being re-invigorated, re-connected, inspired, in a concerted effort to start joining things up...

Buffalo Tank Founder, Zabani Kopek (pictured above) or Jonny Buffalo as many of you know him, has been a long standing inspiration for me. His unstoppable energy, vision, love for Essex, authenticity, reckless risk taking and independent creations, engage and challenge our perception of culture and art in ways many well-funded arts organisations can only dream.

Interview courtesy of Colchester Chronicle

The Creative Coop is still committed to and will operate out of our main studio as co-founders of fifteen Queen Street. However we look forward to joining the Buffalo ranks and pushing our creative limits. We'll be walking the talk and exploring opportunities to a bring a bit of 'Up Your Arts' back into the town centre. Starting with Colchester Free Festival on the 25th August 2012.

You can follow the Buffalo Tank on Twitter, Facebook and soon a very vibrant blog too.

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Colchester's Tipping Point

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Walk with The Creative Coop

This is the continuation of two local events which we ran at the end of March. The purpose was to map and debate ‘Assets of Community Value’ a part of the Localism Act, 2011 which comes into effect later this year. We targeted community champions, mapping geeks, history gurus, heritage buffs and local architects/surveyors. We invited them to join discussions and map ‘Colchester’s Assets of Community Value’ - buildings that play a vital role, provide an integral public service or hold lots of community potential.

We asked ‘which buildings do you really care about in Colchester?’ Do any of them play a vital role in the heart of our community? Do you know of a building on your street that has the potential to deliver social well-being within the borough? The reason for holding these open discussions is due to legislation that will come into force later this year, granting communities the ‘Right to Bid’ on buildings they have identified as ‘Assets of Community Value’.

The aim was to settle on a list of at least twelve Assets of Community Value and capture them on Locality’s online mapping tool where assets could be opened up to gain wider discussion and support.

To maintain momentum and raise awareness we committed to running a public walk this Bank Holiday as part of Jane's Walks. The walk will involve a whistle stop tour, in-situ talks at a selection of the ‘Assets’ identified, followed by presentations, national case studies and a public debate.

To learn more about the previous events, how to join the walk or get involved in discussions you can download our report, visit the Walk Colchester website or email my colleague and project lead Mike Polom on mike@creative.coop.

About Jane's Walk Last year, Colchester hosted the UK’s first Jane’s Walk’s weekend; two days of local walks led by local people, taking place simultaneously around the world, celebrating the legacy of urbanist Jane Jacobs (1916-2006). This year Jane’s Walk returns (in the company of Kingston, London, and Hereford), the beginning we hope of an annual event in the town, and ongoing relationship with Jane’s Walkers in towns and cities worldwide.