For previous news letters, click here
INTRODUCTION to XR Weds 21 Aug
United Reform Church, Coleham Head, Shrewsbury, SY3 7BJ, 7 to 9 pm with refreshments.
Following the magnificent attendance at the ‘Heading for Extinction’ talk we are holding an evening session for anyone who wants to know more about how Extinction Rebellion operates and what we have planned for the next few months. Do come along if you are thinking of joining XR or simply want to know more.
To make sure we can provide enough resources for everyone, if you are thinking of joining us for the evening please EITHER email xr.shr.outreach@gmail.com OR book on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/events/499710217457444/
The evening will be a mixture of slides and discussions, both in small groups and as a whole group, with many opportunities to ask questions and give your views. We are aware that some people may be uncomfortable working in small groups with people they have never met before, and we emphasize that it is perfectly OK to listen and reflect if you prefer.
The broad format of the evening is:
- Introduction from the two facilitators (Jo Blackman and Kris Welch).
- Introducing yourself within a small group, and anything you already know about XR.
- Origins of XR and its use of civil disobedience, including a short video filmed in London in April 2019.
- The demands of XR, examining its principles and values.
- How we are organised in XR Shrewsbury, our working groups and their roles.
- The actions planned over the next 2 – 3 months both in Shrewsbury and nationally.
We very much hope to meet you on 21st and extend a warm welcome to everyone.
Skills and Interests Survey
Thank you to everyone who has completed our Members’ Skills and Interests Survey so
far. You may already have been contacted by someone to connect you up
with the relevant working groups. The survey will remain active so
please do complete the online form if you haven’t already done so. It
should only take a couple of minutes to complete and will be of real
value to us.
XR Shrewsbury Podcast
Take a listen to our very own Anna Morris and Richard Davies talking to podcaster Shrewsbury Biscuit about XR Shrewsbury. You can also find a link to the podcast on our website at https://xrshrewsbury.org/category/podcast/ .
Please listen and add your thoughts or comments at the bottom of the
web page. If anyone wants to record a podcast of themselves or with
friends, simply record an audio file using their phone and send it to us
at web.xr.shrewsbury@gmail.com
XR Shrewsbury Website
You may have noticed that our website has been revamped and can now be found at xrshrewsbury.org. Do take a look, new content is being added all the time. Recent articles include https://xrshrewsbury.org/2019/08/12/climate-change-anxiety/
If anyone would like to contribute to the website, be it an article, picture, poem or just your thoughts, please send it to web.xr.shrewsbury@gmail.com,
we would love to hear from you. All posts also get tweeted at
@XRShrewsbury – so please subscribe to our Twitter feed if that’s your
thing.
Heading for Extinction Talk (6 Aug)
We had a fantastic response to our “Heading for Extinction and What To
Do About It” talk on 6 Aug at the Shropshire Wildlife Trust hq. We soon
filled the main room to capacity (70) and quickly set up an overflow
room for the further 70 plus people who came along, showing just how
much concern there is about the issue, interest in Extinction Rebellion
and how to get involved. We’re hoping to organise another Heading for
Extinction talk soon so there will be more opportunities to see this.
The speaker (John Davies) and some members of the audience were kind
enough to suggest resources that others might find helpful. In case you
missed the details here they are again:
The Patterning Instinct – A Cultural History of Humanity’s Search for Meaning by Jeremy Lent. Prometheus Books.
This Changes Everything by Naomi Klein.
Chasing Coral – a Netflix release on the importance of coral to our world and the implications of its loss.
Shrewsbury Flower Show
We were flying the XR flag outside the Flower Show on both Friday and Saturday. We (almost) avoided the worst of the weather and only just saved things from being blown into the river. Some really uplifting conversations were had with people, which did make up for the many who said they had no concerns about the climate!
DATES FOR YOUR DIARY
Weds 21 Aug: Extinction Rebellion – What’s it all about?
Shrewsbury United Reformed Church, Shrewsbury SY3 7BJ 7pm-9pm
Please do let anyone who might be interested know about this. It is a
chance to find out how XR works locally and nationally and how you can
get involved. Link to the event at https://www.facebook.com/events/499710217457444/
Weds 4 Sept: Get Together for October Rebels
Are you thinking of coming to the International Rebellion in London in
October? It’s going to be a BIG ONE! If you are, please come to this
informal meet up in Shrewsbury to chat, make plans and raise any
questions as we prepare to Rebel For Life.
Link to event: https://www.facebook.com/events/410915579547351
Sun 8 Sept: Non Violent Direct Action (NVDA) training 1pm-5pm
Training will take place in Shrewsbury (venue tbc) to prepare for
upcoming XR actions. Places are limited so please book early, at https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/nvda-training-tickets-69007215439. There will be other NVDA trainings before October – dates and venues to be confirmed soon.
Weds 11 Sept: XR Shrewsbury General Meeting 7pm-9pm
Salop Unison Club, Shire Hall, Shrewsbury SY2 6LY
The first of our regular monthly meetings, to be held on the second Wednesday of every month, at the same location.
They will include an introduction to XR Shrewsbury, what we’ve been
doing, what we’re planning, and how you can join in with forthcoming
actions. Do come along if you can.
Link to the event at https://www.facebook.com/groups/2193736957511582/events/
Fri 20 Sept and Fri 27 Sept: Climate / Earth Strike
The global Youth Strike movement is calling on adults everywhere to come
out on strike to support young people in their call on governments to
take rapid and far-reaching action to safeguard the future for us all.
XR Shrewsbury is currently planning some actions to take place locally
on 20th and 27th September. If you’re a member of a union, please ask
your branch to support these general strikes (contact us if you need a
template motion). If you’re not in paid employment, please do join us as
well – everyone is welcome and your presence will make a difference.
For more information, see Ecowatch: Climate Strikes
7 – 20 Oct: International Rebellion (London)
XR branches all over the world are now deep in preparations to massively
ramp up the pressure on governments and the media in the October
Rebellion. Don’t miss this significant document which explains what is
being planned: International Rebellion
Link to the event at https://www.facebook.com/events/350862888939201/
You can stay in touch with what’s going on nationally by taking a look at the latest newsletter National XR Newsletter 27
Don’t forget to sign up to their newsletter to keep up to date.
You can also sign up to the XR internal newsletter for a regular round-up of activity from the national working groups. Inside XR
Other local groups
Here are all our active groups around the county:
XR Bishop’s Castle and Clun Valley
XR Oswestry and the Borders
XR Wenlock Edge
XR Ludlow and Leominster
XR Telford and Wrekin
Also, you can sign up to the XR Shrewsbury Youth Group newsletter or find them on Facebook
Please do forward this newsletter to anyone who may be interested – they can sign up to our mailing list by using this link:
XR Shrewsbury Newsletter sign-up.
or find us on facebook: XR Shrewsbury
or Twitter @XRShrewsbury.
You can now also subscribe to our website by clicking the ‘Follow
Extinction Rebellion Shrewsbury’ button found on the website pages.
With solidarity and peace,
Sal Mager (gatherer of information) and
Extinction Rebellion Shrewsbury
