The Mayfly is hosting this year’s Mayday celebrations in honour of International Worker’s Day, and it’s going to be a packed day. There’ll be a central debate - ‘Democracy and Society in Crisis - Where do we go From Here? - bookended by acoustic performances from Mike Crome of the Rum Dogs, Clare Hamburger, and Percy’s Pearls. Following that, there’ll be a screening of two films: an interview with Edward Said, and PALESTINIAN SUNBIRD. And in the evening, a must-see performance by Robb Johnson, political folksinger extraordinaire. That’s a decent day out!
FULL PROGRAMME:
Doors 12.00 noon.
12-30 MAYDAY OPENING ADDRESS GRAHAM WHITE retired NEU Exec, Suffolk County Secretary
13-15 MIKE CROME: ‘Crome Alone’ acoustic performance. Mike is part of the Norfolk band THE RUM DOGS.
14-00 DEMOCRACY AND SOCIETY IN CRISIS - WHERE DO WE GO FROM HERE?
People in the UK have lost trust in a failing system of government to deliver what we need for our society. What are the implications for us and does the labour and trade union movement recognise the dangers it poses? What did Tony Benn have to say about this that is relevant, ignored or forgotten?
STEVE FREEMAN: Republican Labour Education Forum will present some ideas for discussion and debate with a panel of speakers. The panel will include ROBIN DE BRAE speaking on behalf of the HUMANITY party, MARTIN BOOTH Cromer TUC secretary and ‘Save Benjamin Court’ campaigner, JOHN SILLETT Unite Community member and KEY WORKERS UNITED contributor.
15-30 SOLIDARITY REVUE - OPEN MIC - POETRY RESISTANCE
CLAIRE HAMBURGER: Poet/ Musician
PERCYS PEARLS: Acoustic Singer/Songwriter
17-00: PALESTINE SHORT FILMS
Two films including an interview with the Palestinian author Edward Said and Palestinian Sunbird. A film described as a creative act of dissent as a Palestinian artist makes a postage stamp symbolising freedom from Israeli occupation. This is one man’s story of a peaceful Palestinian protest.
JACOB ECCLESTONES, a retired journalist who has been the Deputy Gen Sec NUJ. Jacob will give a short talk after the films have been shown about Britain’s historic responsibility for creating the catastrophe of Zionist Israel.
19-00 OPEN EVENING FREE CONCERT: ROBB JOHNSON
Robb is known for his mix of political satire and wit. His own record label, Irregular Records is a small independent record label in Hove, Sussex, issuing folk, political recordings. He has released more than 40 albums since 1985, either solo or in several collaborations.
06.05.24 // Doors 12.00 noon // Free entry!