| Organising for the National Demonstration |
| 30/10/2006 |
| As a member of the Block of 12, September and October have been months where I have worked relentlessly to activate people for the national demo. Freshers’ Fairs
This year I have organised for the Demo at Freshers’ Fairs at Winchester University Students’ Union; University of Liverpool Guild of Students; St Martin’s College Students’ Union, Lancaster; University of Bristol Students’ Union; Aston Students’ Guild; and at the campaigns Launch of Canterbury Christchurch Students’ Union. These were very exciting and were a brilliant opportunity to talk directly to students. Banner Making Both the East and West Midlands have had banner making as part activating people for the demo, getting people involved and making clear our message to tell the government they are wrong on this policy. Here is the Admission: Impossible Banner for the West Midlands with all their logos on. Here is my favourite banner from the East Midlands event – “Hands of our education”
Calling round: I have spent my lunch hours every day while at work to be calling round people in my regions helping people with suggestions and the sharing of best practise. I have not been able to call as many as you like but I have tried and hear this is starting to turn into coaches being booked!!! Support from other organisations: I have been successful in getting the British Youth Council [see here] and the UK Youth Parliament to support the demo, get it out to young people – the main people who will pay these fees. On the day: There will be 1000 placards supplementing the NUS ones paid for by the National Union of Teachers (NUT) that I have been able to organise as the scholarship holder. Please feel free to take one and hold them with pride while remembering the student teachers who take the PGCE root will be paying top-up fees twice – once for their degree and then for their PGCE! Singing while we are winning: It would not be a demo without a good chant and sing song - so for all you new fee fighters out there - here are a few of my favourites so you can practise before you get there… I wanted a free education, I wanted a grant not a loan, I wanted a free education, But got the millennium Dome! Bring back, Bring back, Bring back my grant cheque to me, To me, Bring back, Bring back, Bring back my grant cheque to me. My over draft is over the limit, My bank manager is angry with me, My over draft is over the limit, So bring back my grant cheque to me! Bring back etc. My grant cheque sailed over the ocean, My grant cheque sailed over the sea, My grant cheque sailed over the ocean, So bring back my grant cheque to me! Bring back etc. - - - - Hey-ey-ey, hey, Tony. Oh! Ah! I wanna know-ow-ow, If you will pay my fees? 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8! Hey-ey-ey, hey, Tony. etc - - - - I said – hey! Ho! Top Up Fees have got to go! I said – hey! Ho! Top Up Fees have got to go! - - - - They say cut back We say fight back Cut back! Fight back! Cut back! Fight back! Cut, cut, cut back! Fight, fight, fight back! They say cut back We say fight back! - - - - Education is a right, Is a right, Is a right, Not a privilege! Etc. - - - - See you there, I hope you enjoy it as much as I will be. Richard Angell Voting Labour, Fighting Fees If you want to know more about my work, have any questions or want to keep in touch you can do by email (richard.angell@nus.org.uk) or phone (the number is still 07966 161 444).
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