We had a real wealth of talent; politicians, candidates, experienced campaigners, homelessness workers, the press, people with communications experience... even a roving sky-pilot who people kept calling 'Father'!
We all just gelled. The great news is that CHILL-OUT IS ON!!!!
We are no longer just a disparate group of malcontents sending off messages into cyberspace but a tight, focussed group with a mission.
There will be loads of publicity and press releases over the coming weeks. We have another meeting to be held in Rochdale on Tuesday May 15th.
More importantly, the mass sleep-Out is going ahead outside the Town Hall on the night of the Cabinet Meeting on Tuesday May 29th.
We need as many as possible to turn up with sleeping bags, mattresses etc. We hope to provide accredited security personel to protect those wishing to sleep out for the whole night.
There will also be music; hopefully provided by the Salvation Army Band and other events. I will be playing 'Kumbaya' on my Patagonian nose-flute.
We want this to be a non-threatening, apolitical fun event aimed at reversing this policy that will see 500 emergency beds reduced to under 200.
Even if you cannot commit to sleeping out, we welcome supporters bearing gifts of fruitcake etc. We also hope to provide a steaming cauldron full of: Mrs Doyle's Super-Economy, Gourmet Recipe, RMBC-Approved, Meatless Dosser Broth (WARNING: May be served by Nuts!)
Busy day. Bank holiday. I should have just been chilling out instead have spent whole day doing 'Chill-Out' stuff.
ReplyDeleteI wrote the press release then also wrote to the three party leaders and also to the CEO of Rochdale Council asking for an urgent meeting to discuss this issue.
Think I'll go for a pint now!
I wonder how Rochdale's homeless are celebrating the Bank Holiday?