PEAT on the Street

Posted on 25/09/2008 by joimson

Purbeck environmental action team fun day in Wareham, Dorset 20th September 2008

Vodpod videos no longer available.

PEAT was an excellent example of what a team of well organised talented volunteers can achieve with loads of energy and enthusiasm. This was a last minute gig for me as I had only contacted them 2 days before the event to see if they had places. Fortunately the maypole dancers couldn’t make it and I had a slot 1-2pm in Priory meadow on the banks of the river Frome.

As soon as I arrived I was greeted by Collette of Back 2 Earth who was selling fair trade and local products from her yurt stall. Next to Back 2 Earth was a demonstration by the Cranborne Ancient Technology Centre. They were making rafters for a Viking longhouse and recruiting volunteers to help with construction. The longhouse is due to open in July 2009 and will sit alongside the already successful Earthouse (a 200-seat reconstructed Iron-Age Roundhouse).

After Priory meadow I moved to one of the side streets which had been closed for the day and performed alongside the RSPB Arne bird sanctuary. From them I learned how the RSPB have bought logging rights to a piece of rainforest in Indonesia in order to preserve and restore it. Their particular piece of land is arguably more diverse than Amazon rainforest and home to the worlds largest flower as well as tigers and presumably loads of birds. This was of particular interest to me as I went to the Indonesian island of Sumatra in 1997 and witnessed first hand the destruction and diversity there. The land is called Harapan Rainforest and they’d really appreciate your support.

PEAT was born out of the Dorset Agenda 21 group who aim to encourage sustainable living in Dorset. All governments (local and national) will have heard about agenda 21 because it is a United Nations action plan. Whoever coined the term ‘think global act local’ would be very pleased with PEAT the Purbeck Environmental Action Team.

Wishing on a Star – Tip of the Pops live in Bosvegas!

Posted on 10/09/2008 by joimson

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Usual mayhem and magic at this years Boscombe community fair. The wet weather did not temper anybodies spirits and a great time was had by all. Our greenfield was worse for wear with the yurt being the only structure that survived the storm. Tip of the Pops featured in the kids area, teen space, green field and they used my equipment as a mobile PA for the carnival procession and arena.

graphic by Cozmic Dreamer

This recording is hosted by the internet archive here

Playlist

Survivor, eye of the tiger

EMF, unbelievable

Prince, 1999

Candi Staton, suspicious minds

Sister Sledge, we are family

Snap, oops up

Fresh Four, wishing on a star

The Cure, lovecats

Motorhead, ace of spades

Flash and the Pan, waiting for a train

Soul to Soul, back to life

Ce Ce Peniston, finally

Childrens parade and audio recorded 7th September 2008 at the 13th annual Boscombe Community Fair

Boscombe Community Fair 2008 coming together

Posted on 29/08/2008 by joimson

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September 5th-7th 2008, Kings Park, Boscombe, Bournemouth

In addition to two music stages featuring over 40 bands with Dread zone Soundsystem, Nick Harper and Pronghorn headlining there is plenty of other activity taking place at this weekends Boscombe Community Fair in Kings Park. Children are free and there is great kids area featuring carnival crafts, graffiti art, story telling and activities for ages 0-18 from 12-6 o’clock Saturday and Sunday.

The theatre and art gallery are creating a visual spectacle with a wild west theme. Friday the theatre is transformed into a Bordello with a musical theatre karaoke party. Saturday focuses on performance featuring Day of the Dead fashion show and Wild Wood theatres comedic performance of Pucks Bottom for all the family. Sunday hosts street, salsa and belly dancing workshops and there are open mic acoustic sessions all weekend in the art gallery.

A greenfield with renewable energy, healing and Tip of the Pops wheelbarrow disco. The return of the agoraphobic pirate arena includes a fun dog show, sports day and medieval torture! The Boscombe Community Fair prides itself as an event ‘by the community for the community’ to showcase local talent, provide a platform for local groups and a low cost festival for everyone to participate and enjoy. The event is open from 6 pm Friday, midday Saturday and Sunday the cost is only £3 per adult.

There is such a lot going on I have published a list of my contribution with links to others. Further info and links to the full children’s area programme here and theatre information here. Band listings are on myspace here.

At the event you’ll be able to buy a full programme for only 50p please buy one and recycle-it when done

Friday night in theatre

6pm experimental ambient electronica with Counter and Joimson

7-9pm fancy dress musical karaoke party (wild west theme)

followed by Tip of the Pops show tunes

Saturday

12pm Tip of the Tots wheelbarrow disco – children’s area

12-5pm recycling road show – greenfield

4pm Tip of the Pops – arena

4pm recycled rocket workshops – kids area

5pm recycled rocket launches – arena

7pm recycled and vintage fashion show – theatre

Sunday

1-2pm carnival procession featuring Earwig – arena

Climate change and tip talk with Dirty Ali – greenfield

Monday

Clean-up please recycle and do not leave litter

Greenfield intro

Boscombe Community Fair is an annual festival organised by the community for the community. A showcase of local talent and meeting place for all those who live work and play in the area. The 13th Boscombe Community Fair will be held in Kings Park, Boscombe, Bournemouth on the 5 – 7th September 2008.

2007 was the debut of a new attraction called Green Village which included renewable energy, the children’s area, the arena, healing and art gallery. This area was a success with the public, organisers , participants and council all wanting to see more. We would like to develop this area further by providing more environmental activities and improving the festivals green credentials.

To achieve this we are applying for a grant of £430 to provide more activities with the theme Reduce, Reuse, Recycle! In addition to last years success the 2008 green field will have more renewable energy, a green disco, climate change workshops, improved recycling / waste management and a solar powered site office

In keeping with the social and environmental objectives of BCF the greenfield will provide

Opportunities for volunteers and groups to work with and learn about renewable energy
Reduce our organisations carbon foot-print and impact on the environment
Widen the appeal of BCF to families, new audiences and the local media
Increased awareness and learning opportunities for environmental issues
Show leadership and a willingness to act in an environmentally responsible way
Provide practical and social demonstrations of renewable energy and recycling