Next gathering
The dates for the next gathering will be
15-17th November 2024
Venue: Bidston Observatory, Wilding Way, Prenton, CH43 7RA
Hosts: Co-hosted by Rose Howey Housing Co-op and Gatherings Working Group
You can contact the Gatherings group at: Gatherings@RadicalRoutes.org.uk with any queries (please don’t contact the venue itself).
Purpose of Gatherings
Radical Routes business – decision-making and discussion, reporting on work done and allocating tasks to do
Introduction to how RR works and how to participate in it
Keeping up with each other’s co-op news – meeting new members, helping with problems, celebrating achievements
Socialising, skill-sharing, inspiring each other – building relationships of trust so we can work together well
Meeting new people and spreading consciousness of radical co-operation as a tool for re-making our world.
Who can come?
Gatherings are open to everyone:
Delegates of member co-ops
Other co-op members, associates and friends who want to participate in the network
People from new or existing co-ops who are interested in joining
random other visitors or interested people.
What happens there?
Delegates of member co-ops need to attend business meetings on behalf of their co-ops
Anyone at a gathering can attend any meeting
There are workshops (consensus decision-making, facilitation, how to set up a workers co-op), trainings, discussions
at a physical gathering, there are lots of things to do outside meetings: putting up and taking down marquees, hanging out, food prep, kids group, queer space, banner-making, etc.
attending gatherings online, some gatherings offer support for blended access, with business meetings and workshops accessible via online video link and space to socialise on DiscordNew groups should attend the ‘New Groups’ meeting, and new people should attend the introductory sessions
Gatherings are usually quite intense, with lots of people trying to share a lot of information and make lots of decisions in a relatively small amount of time. If you particularly want to communicate with a specific person you don’t know, feel free to ask someone who knows what’s going on for help.
REGISTER HERE:
Use this link to register:- Register!
Registration deadline:- Monday the 4th of November by 5pm
Venue Information
Venue details:– Bidston Observatory, Wilding Way, Prenton, CH43 7RA
Bidston Observatory Artistic Research Centre (BOARC) is a self-organising study site for research,
communality and experimentation.
It is not for profit, and focuses on providing a low-cost, temporary work space for individuals and groups
so they can come together and take the time needed to develop their practices and projects. This can
be in the form of nightly stays for up to a month, or day use of the building.
BOARC welcomes a wide diversity of fields, such as art, music and theatre, to philosophy, bodywork,
social activism, environmental science, culture and technology.
Based in a historical landmark, it is a space where discussion can easily flow from the kitchen to the
sound recording studio, and ideas can bounce between the domes and basement workspace.
The ground floor is fully wheelchair accessible, with widened doors, and space to manoeuvre a
wheelchair. The accessible bedroom and accessible bathroom, plus workspaces, kitchens, movement
room and project office are located on the ground floor. Service animals are very welcome.
Travel Information
Arrival Time:- From 4pm on Friday. (Unless you have registered to do the financial literacy training, in which case please arrive at 1.30pm.)
By Mersey Rail, from Liverpool Loop Line:- Take the metro, in the direction of New Brighton or West Kirby and get off at Birkenhead North. This journey will take about 12 minutes, then it is about a 20-minute walk to the Observatory, which includes the small hill of Wilding Way. The metro starts around 06:30 and finishes around 23:30. If you are travelling outside of these times,
you could take a taxi from Lime Street or William Brown Street. This will cost around £25 and will include tunnel tolls.
By car:- On the M53, take the A554 exit, junction 1, towards Wallasey / Birkenhead. Continue on the A554 along Hoylake Road, turn right down Worcester Road and then right again up Wilding Way. The observatory is at the top of the lane, to the left. There is limited free parking available onsite.
KIDS
IT IS VERY IMPORTANT THAT YOU TELL US IF YOU ARE BRINGING CHILDREN. Please fill out information about children you or your coop are bringing when you register for the gathering on the google form and email kidsgroup@radicalroutes.org.uk .
Please register as early as possible so we can plan appropriate activities. We are very glad that you are bringing children to the gathering and we are looking forward to spending time with them.
(The kids’ space is run by the Kids Working Group. We are a voluntary group of people who are members of co-ops within the network.)
We will be there for the kids while meetings are on but we ask that you come and supervise the children you are responsible for at lunch and dinner so we can eat too. Kids space does not continue into the evening. We will organise child-friendly food/snacks. Food & snacks will be kid friendly & vegan.
Please bring clothes for all weathers for your child as we are hoping to go outside!
Kids Group Volunteer Recruitment Procedure
If you are interested in volunteering for Kids group please get in touch as early as possible via PUPA.Education@gmail.com Tarryn (Heartwell co-op) and kidsgroup@radicalroutes.org.uk.
Timetable
Friday 16th
Arrival time:- From 4pm unless you have registered to do the financial literacy training, in which case please arrive at 1.30pm
Saturday 17th
9.00am: Breakfast.
10.00am – 7pm:- Meetings and workshops. Lunch & dinner.
Sunday 18th
9.00am: Breakfast.
9.30am-2.30pm: Meetings and workshops. Lunch.
SLEEPING ARRANGEMENTS
A mix of crash space (including private and women only) and bedrooms – delegates from member co-ops and co-ops partway through the membership process, and those with accessibility needs, will be prioritised for bedrooms. See registration form when it’s up for more details and to tell us about your needs.
What You Need to bring
You’ll need to bring bedding (roll mat and sleeping bag) unless GAWG contact you to say you’ve been allocated a bed. Please state your needs around sleeping arrangements on the registration form. Also bring cash for the bar, and a debit/credit card to pay for meal tickets.
Food
Three meals a day plus hot drinks will be provided, and all food will be vegan. It’s best for us if you pay for the whole weekend when you arrive (new groups and individuals who are not members of an RR co-op need to pay for food in advance, details will be emailed when registrations are received). Card payment for meals is hugely preferred please! If arriving Friday evening, it will be £20 for the weekend. Alternatively if you’re only having a couple of meals they can be paid for individually at £3/meal plus £2 for hot drinks. Kids eat free. If you have any special requirements ie. gluten free, nut free please state on the registration form.
Entertainment
There will be a bar and some music on Saturday night! Bring songs to share.
NEW GRoups and People
If you’re new to Radical Routes (whether you’re a new member in an existing co-op or you’re a new co-op looking at Radical Routes), there is a series of workshops designed to introduce you to the workings of Radical Routes and Co-ops in general. They’re informative, exciting and essential! If you’re from a new group, it’s essential that you register your presence with Co-op Support Group by attending the New Groups meeting . This is so that they can confirm you have attended the gatherings as required, arrange joining visits and generally keep you on track.
Donations:- If you’re attending as a new group/non-member co-op/interested individual, we would be grateful for a donation if you can afford it, to help cover the costs of putting on a gathering – suggested donation from £15 to £60 per person. We don’t want this to be prohibitive and it is absolutely not compulsory if you’re not in a financial position to do so. There will be a cash collection tin on the Welcome Desk for this.
DOGS
Service animals are very welcome.
Other info
Please come and see us at the welcome desk if you can facilitate, co-facilitate or minute take for meetings or workshops – there will be a sign up sheet.
There will also be a sign up sheet for help needed in the kitchen, washing up rota etc
If you would like a buddy to help you navigate the gathering come and see us at the welcome desk. If it’s your first gathering it can be a lot to take in, but there’s a lot of friendly folk around who’ll be happy to help
SEND US YOUR WORKSHOP/ SKILLSHARE/ DISCUSSION IDEAS! to Gatherings@RadicalRoutes.org.uk
Any other questions? Please email Gatherings@RadicalRoutes.org.uk