CAST Aug./Sept. newsletter

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J U L Y / A U G U S T 2 0 2 4
CAST
Citizens’ Assembly South Tyneside
Now is the time for community-driven, people-powered change in South Tyneside.
News & Views
Family fundays 2024:
Catch up with our
summer of fun!
In The Spotlight:
The scourge of the
service charge
Cramlington
Trainwreckers:
Ed Waugh interview
Community Noticeboard
Citizens' Assembly
South Tyneside
Contact us:
southtyneside@assembly.org.uk
CITIZENSASSEMBLYST
@CITIZENSASSEMBLYST
Welcome to your
JULY/AUGUST
newsletter
This summer, our FREE family
fundays returned...and rocked!
Boldon was a blast, Hedworthfield was a
humdinger and Bilton was belta!
After securing £4700 from the National Lottery
Community Fund, the CAST team put on a
summer holiday extravaganza with activities for all
the family...and all FREE!
Not counting our involvement in the fantastic
Ocean Road Mela, (attracting thousands of visitors
from our borough and beyond) we welcomed more
than 750 people to just 3 family fundays!
See more from our summer of community on p.4 -
and try and spot yourself!
But, what about next year?
Let’s go BIGGER and BOLDER!
The plan is to secure
funding for FIVE family
fundays - combining this
with the Mela, means
we’ll be offering your
family a FREE event
EVERY weekend
through the summer
holidays!
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News & Views
Assemblies - The Way Forward
CAST invited to speak at national event!
The Real Democracy Movement (RDM) is a campaign
for a new democratic political and economic system based
on the power of the people expressed through Popular Assemblies...
and they’ve invited CAST to speak at their Assemblies - The Way Forward online
event on Wednesday, October 2nd at 6pm!
The crisis of representative democracy in the UK, confirmed in the historic low turn-out at the recent
general election amid deep levels of distrust of mainstream politics, puts the creation of Assemblies firmly
on the agenda.
The counter-protests against racist rioters however, showed how people can and will organise
independently of the state to defend their communities.
There’s a variety of views about what Assemblies could and should do. Some want them to advise
the government, others want their recommendations accepted in advance while others see them
as a route to people power. Only then can we tackle gross social and racial inequality and respond to
the climate emergency in a meaningful way.
We’re organising an open discussion and debate about Assemblies – what they are and what they
can become – on October 2nd from 6pm. Plus, there’ll be the chance to debate the issues in a
break-out session and you can help to plan next steps.
The panel consists of:
John McDonnell MP: former Shadow Chancellor
Dru Haynes: Chair Citizens Assembly South Tyneside
Jamie Driscoll: independent candidate for Mayor of the North East and campaigner for peoplepowered
citizens' assemblies
Eva Schonveld/Justin Kenrick: Grassroots to Global
Rich Wilson: CEO Iswe Foundation for people-powered citizens' assemblies
Zakhar Popovych: participant in Maidan (Ukraine) assembly of 2014
Paul Feldman: Real Democracy Movement
Register now and put your comments and questions to the panel - https://bit.ly/4ggOfAI
Check out the RDM Manifesto24 - https://bit.ly/4dShA2O
scan the QR or go to
https://bit.ly/3yZ3X2H
Transforming Democracy on South Tyneside
Stand by for action!
Very shortly, we’ll be sending an email to each councillor in the borough to
request that they return to the Committee system of decision-making instead
of the present undemocratic Leader and Cabinet system.
In the meantime, we’re launching our survey today to gauge public opinion. If YOU
want a more representative system, go to the survey and let us know what you think!
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News & Views cont.
Take action on Global Day of Action on Fossil Fuels!
Change for local council pension funds is headline news. One of the new UK
The
Government's
time is right
first
to move
announcements
away from
was
the Leader
a radical
and
review
Cabinet
with a tight 2024 deadline for interim findings.
system we currently have, where ALL decisions are made
Please by a use cabinet this Global of 10 Labour Week of Party Action councillors, #EndFossilFuels to a Committee (13-20th Sept.) to make a difference:
system sign Divest where Tyne different & Wear perspectives campaign petition can be brought here – 600 to the signatures and counting!
decision-making write to your MP table and - local the councillors perspectives to put say forward Tyne & by Wear the pensioners deserve better! Key info on the
councillors campaign YOU website vote for. find your MP’s email addresses here
Join join us the at campaign Jarrow Hall at on the 29th next June quarterly from 11:30 meeting - 12:30 of and the key T&WPF decision-making committee
see (Mon. what 30th we’re Sept. proposing. 9:30 at South Shields Town Hall). Email Divest T&W for more info and to make
arrangements to meet up.
Here’s why change to Tyne & Wear Pension Fund (T&WPF) is long overdue:
huge public pensions in Holland have switched 10bn Euros OUT of fossil fuels, showing how easy,
popular and safe for pension fund members it is to invest sustainably
some UK councils are challenging fossil fuel investment and some funds are listening - Surrey is the
latest to join that list
But large funds like T&WPF are ignoring that trend, investing in tar sands, fracking and companies
increasing extraction, and continuing to invest until 2050.
To find out more and have your say, you’re welcome to our supporter get-togethers - newcomers very
welcome! The next campaign informal gathering is 21 Sept., 1-3pm at Cafe 16, Newcastle Cathedral.
More dates for your diary:
9 November: Divest T&W support Sunderland’s Climate Action
launch event, St George's Church, Harraton and they'd love to see
you there!
2025: The Divest campaign is also planning a get-together in South
Tyneside in the New Year - if you'd like to get involved, such as inviting
the campaign to your regular climate or community group, please email
us.
ClimateReads:
The next title is Our Fragile Moment by Michael Mann.
Divest Tyne & Wear campaign news
Why it’s been chosen:
distinguished forward-thinking climate writer (he invented the ‘hockey curve’
graph that’s been used for many years to understand trends)
powerful arguments that give us hope about our chances of achieving the changes needed to
protect life on earth
How to access it:
ebook: Kindle £9.99, Kobo £14.99 - let us know if you find cheaper!
paperback: Amazon £10.80, The Guardian £15.29
library: we are requesting Newcastle City Library to purchase, please approach your library as well
Trial for book on publisher Hachette website here
If you'd like to join the zoom review chat, it's on 30 October 6.30-7.30pm. Just email us for the link.
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Bringing the community
together...
through fun!
building on the successes of the previous 3 years of
our family fundays, the CAST planning group
successfully applied to the NATIONAL LOTTERY
COMMUNITY FUND to spread the joy again this year.
scooping £4700, meant THREE fundays plus entertainment
at the OCEAN ROAD MELA!!
photo right: some of the CAST planning group. from left: june bains, dru haynes, ted bains, john haynes, tracey stephenson
into the spotlight: live performances
south shields volunteer life brigade &
ambulance
paula wilkinson: facepainting
jk bouncy castles: inflatable, slushie &
popcorn
nat & beckie: street sport
dean james: jam sessions
freddie worrell: graffiti art
tyne river trust: environmental craft
emma’s exotic animal encounters
june & ted’s trad games
to contact any of our artists/performers - simply
click the orange links!
Armed with a rolling programme
of FREE activities for all the
family...
...the fun kicked off at
BOLDON CA.
taking over almost all of the
centre for the afternoon, we
had live music from INTO THE
SPOTLIGHT to provide a
great soundtrack to a
great day!
what a fantastic afternoon we have had!
kids have loved it and mam too! thank you!
funday feedback
freddie and his posse
of budding creatives
from across the
three events!
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things were buzzing...
fantastic event and
lots for ALL to do.
my child had a
wonderful time and i
would highly
recommend it!
funday feedback
jamming sessions with local
musician dean james at boldon
and bilton hall
...in more ways than one...
braving emma’s exotic
animal encounters!
i had a great day and i loved the
animals but i didn’t like the big
spiders. please don’t bring them next year.
funday feedback
then we took our show on the road and headed down to
ocean road to join in the SOUTH SHIELDS MELA.
with our belly dancers, arts & crafts and traditional
games, CAST got right in the middle of the
celebrations...
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CAST hits ocean road...
...meets bluey...
...and photobombs the mayor!
back in the saddle at HEDWORTHFIELD CA, the weather decided to play its
joker - with strong winds ‘kindly’ provided by storm lilian!
no problem! we all bundled inside (except those brave souls BECKIE and NAT!)
and continued the party with music from INTO THE SPOTLIGHT and
facepainter extraordinaire PAULA WILKINSON!
lovely friendly team.
great event - children
loved it!
funday feedback
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not to be outdone by HEDWORTHFIELD CA, the weather was rubbish at BILTON
HALL COMMUNITY TRUST too! so again, we all trooped inside (not BECKIE or
NAT though!) and carried on with the fun...
we were even treated to demos by the resident wrestling team!
carrying on the summer of fun...
emma’s exotic animals, freddie worrell (maori
artist, tyne rivers trust (environmental
craft), dean james (musician), into the
spotlight and the bouncy castle helped us
to round off our summer festival in style!
brilliant day,
lovely people.
excellent!
funday feedback
most random funday
feedback winner!!
i won £100 fragrance and traded
it for jam. 10/10.
great for the community
and great for the kids
to have fun.
funday feedback
...and not just for the kids!
for the past 3 years, the w.i.
have had a tombola at the boldon
funday. last year we raised about
£60 for the local foodbank. this
year, we’ve easily doubled that!
joanne purvis
boldon blossoms w.i. (right)
our partners in fun:
CAST specifically utilises
community spaces in ALL of our
events to highlight the
importance these facilities have
in the communities they serve.
please take a look at what’s
going on in the one nearest you -
there’s something for everyone!
boldon ca
hedworthfield ca
bilton hall community trust
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You might have read recently about the number of people stuck in homes they can’t sell due to the
service charges on their properties. Although not all of the fees are as hellish as the £6000 per year some
are being charged, they remain an anathema to many leaseholders.
And this is not an issue limited to buyers – tenants also face this charge although it’s usually included as a
percentage of the rent. But what are service charges and what’s the problem?
In very simple terms, if you buy a property ‘leasehold’, you buy your property but you rent the land it’s built
on or the building it’s part of, from the landlord. You then pay a service charge to the landlord for services
the landlord is obliged to provide under the terms of the lease.
Seems relatively simple?
In principal, it is. However, that doesn’t make it right!
And it’s not just the system itself which is archaic and in need of reform, there’s also the rapid growth of
the property management companies (PMC) – another major part of the problem.
If you look around, there’s new housing going up all over the borough, Hebburn in particular has seen a
major housebuilding programme, especially on the former Reyrolle’s site and Luke’s Lane area and
although it must be remembered that not all new builds are overseen by these PMC, a great many are.
As one resident noted, ‘Take this estate, each of these ‘units’ is paying at least £50 per month to the PMC
which is based in Newcastle. Now, think about how many housing developments they manage across the
entire North East region – that’s a hell of an income. And what do we actually get for that? Grass cut, trees
trimmed? Not really a great return is it?’
So, what can be done?
In The Spotlight
The scourge of the leaseholder service charge
Unfortunately, at the moment, not a lot.
If you check the lease, you’re likely to find that the wording about the charge is so vague that it pretty
much covers anything the PMC says it does!
There’s no room for negotiation for any services you don’t want or need. With most modern leases,
service charges are paid in advance of the landlord incurring costs, based on an estimate of expenses
in the coming year.
Each year, residents are hit with remedial expenses - where ‘actual’ costs for a previous period have
exceeded the estimated charge. This charge must be paid even if the resident did not own/rent the
property at that time.
Failure to pay means a default of the lease terms and could result in eviction despite owning the
property!
Direct Debit payments are charged an admin fee by the PMC of at least £10 every year to set up.
The National Leasehold Campaign has been set up to campaign for the abolition of residential leasehold
in England and Wales. Campaigning for all houses to be made freehold and all flats/apartments
commonhold, they boast 19,300 members and have been hugely successful in raising awareness of what
is a National Leasehold Scandal.
‘This campaign has opened my eyes to the stress caused by this feudal practice and it is my mission
to try and help those caught out.’
Cath Williams (NLC)
Want to have your say on this issue? Drop us a line
southtyneside@assembly.org.uk
Next edition:
with talk of withdrawal from the ECHR, we look at what this convention is, how it affects our
daily lives and what pulling out could mean for us all.
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NEW PLAY ABOUT THE 1926 GENERAL STRIKE!
Renowned local playwright Ed Waugh, speaks to CAST
Following the national success of Wor Bella, a story about WW1 women
footballers and other hit plays including Hadaway Harry and Carrying David,
Tyneside-based playwright Ed Waugh will present his new work about the
Cramlington Train Wreckers this November.
Having a record five plays produced at Newcastle's prestigious Theatre Royal,
Ed writes about the forgotten working class stories and his latest play is no
exception. Set during the 1926 General Strike, eight striking miners uncoupled
a rail on the main Edinburgh to London railway inadvertently derailing the
Flying Scotsman at Cramlington.
As we rapidly approach the centenary of Britain's only General Strike, Ed Waugh spoke to CAST.
It’s an incredible story and the most notorious incident of that societal unrest in May 1926. The event happened on
May 10, seven days into the nine-day General Strike, which was the biggest rupture in society since the civil war of
the 1640s. The intention was to take up a rail then wave down and stop a blackleg coal train that the miners felt was
undermining the strike’ explained Ed.
‘Unfortunately for the perpetrators, they inadvertently derailed a passenger train carrying 281 passengers. It could
have been mass murder! Thankfully, the volunteer driver had been warned of trouble ahead and slowed down,
meaning when the engine and five carriages were derailed no-one was killed. The only injury was minor, to a man's
foot. Most people were treated for shock and bruises and continued their journey from Newcastle.’
Eight Cramlington miners were sentenced to a total of 48 years for their involvement in the highly controversial
event that made national and international headlines.
The ‘Wreckers’ were eventually released early due to pressure from trade union rank and file, politicians and the
judiciary itself, who saw the original sentences as too harsh.
Ed, who also penned The Great Joe Wilson and Mr Corvan's Music Hall, continued, ‘Let's not forget, the General
Strike started after the coal owners told the miners they had to take a 40% cut in wages. Stanley Baldwin, the then
Conservative prime minister, also said every other section of the working class had to take pay cuts in the national
interest.’
‘Like the rest of the British coalfields, all of the pits in Northumberland, and the North East as a whole, were solidly
behind the strike, as were the railway workers, and other sections of the British workforce, like the engineers. The
country came to a standstill.’
‘More than 10,000 strikers were arrested during the General Strike, some just for picketing. There is strong evidence
that the Cramlington miners were used by the Government and judiciary as an example against working class
resistance.’
Such is the interest in the subject, Ed and the Wisecrack Productions team have spoken to more than 2,000 people in
the North East on the subject over the past 18 months. The Wisecrack team are working with a large number of
community groups and schools to highlight why the General Strike happened and its consequences.
‘The story of The Cramlington Train Wreckers is one of high dramatic tension and has become an important part of North
East folklore and British history, although largely forgotten today. With the centenary approaching, the new play is
important to assess the events in an informed, dramatic and entertaining manner.’
‘Were the Cramlington Train Wreckers terrorists or workers
trying to defend their livelihoods, family and community
against an economic onslaught that actually took place
after the General Strike ended?’ asked Ed.
The Cramlington Train Wreckers, supported by Arts
Council England, is touring the North East this
November - dates/venues here
Catch the production at The Westovian Theatre
in Shields on 16th November (book here)
Are you a former miner?
You can claim FREE tickets.
Give CISWO a ring on 0191 455 0608
For further about the production, visit
www.cramlingtontrainwreckers.co.uk
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CAST
community noticeboard
GREENPEACE FREE BEE HERO COURSE
Bees help to pollinate much of our food and play a critical role in
sustaining ecosystems worldwide. Our bee populations are down by a
third in the UK but there's so much we can do to support these
incredible pollinators and help their populations thrive.
Join the Greenpeace Bee Hero Course and in just 5 emails, you’ll learn
how to identify bees, create a bee paradise to attract and support them
and be a part of the movement to get our planet buzzing!
community links:
just click for more info!
Divest Tyne & Wear
KIND MIND COMMUNITY - FREE AUTUMN PROGRAMME
With a support team, peer support workers and fellow students plus
hubs around the borough, Kind Mind Community are here to help you
focus on your wellbeing and mental health.
Their Autumn 2024 activity programme has just dropped. So why not
connect with others and become an expert in your own self care plan
for a brighter future?
The college is open to everyone, so take a look here
CALLING ALL DADS AND MALE CARERS!
Family Hubs and Changing Futures NE want to hear about the reallife
experiences of dads and male carers in South Tyneside.
Children with good dads and male carers can reach their full potential -
the Family Hubs and Changing Futures NE want to use their findings to
help men in the borough to be the best parent they can be. The
findings will also be used by STC to inform policy and support services.
If you’re a dad or a male carer, why not share your experiences here
JOB VACANCY @ APNA GHAR
Apna Ghar, the charity run by and for minority ethnic women in South
Tyneside, are looking for a Centre Co-ordinator to work with the
Management Committee.
The role involves minimal supervision and will be responsible for the
day to day running and management of the Centre. The role is 20
hours over 4 days @ £15.72 per hour.
Inerested? More info here
Divest ClimateReads
Book Group
Big River Makers Market
WANTED:
Community Volunteers!
Save South Tyneside
Hospital Campaign
Tyne and Wear Centre
Against Unemployment
https://bit.ly/3ZDj2zI CITIZENSASSEMBLYST southtyneside@assembly.org.uk
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