Category: Events

Attila the Stockbroker @ Lamproom Theatre, Barnsley

Attila the Stockbroker
Lamproom Theatre, Barnsley
Start: 10 Feb 2016 – 07:30 PM
Price: All tickets £10.00

Singer-songwriter and pioneer performance poet, Attila has fought injustice all his life, including benefit gigs during The Miners’ Strike and for ‘Rock Against Racism’. His work tackles serious issues but he’ll make you laugh when he delivers it!

STOCKBROKER’S CLERK, 1980: THE NAME 

“And then, one day, I got myself a stage name. A stage name that, on its own, got me fifty per cent of my earliest gigs outside Harlow, all my early media coverage and entries in ‘silly band name’ lists all over the world, alongside the likes of Death By Milkfloat and Half Man Half Biscuit.

To this day, it still raises a smile everywhere I go.  I can be quite clumsy: I bump into things easily. And in that job I didn’t give a shit. I can’t exactly remember how or where, but I knocked a cup of coffee over in the office one day and somebody said something like ‘You’ve got the manners of Attila the Hun!’ A light came on in my head.

Attila the Stockbroker. That’s what I’d call myself. The last bit of the jigsaw was complete.”

Launched into public consciousness by John Peel in the early 1980s, performance poet, musician, journalist and political activist Attila the Stockbroker has spent thirty five years touring the world. Having performed over three thousand gigs in twenty four countries, releasing forty records and seven books of poetry along the way, he pauses here to relate his life story, a tale of single-minded determination to earn his living, without compromise, doing what he loves in the context of the ever changing, increasingly corporate minded politics of the last five decades.

An autobiography like no other, ‘Arguments Yard’ bounces effortlessly from frontline tales of touring East Germany, the first ever punk performance in Stalinist Albania, being thrown out of one of his own gigs and the ongoing fight – often literally – with the fascist thugs who targeted him in the early 80s to more homely anecdotes: his coastal upbringing and love of his home in West Sussex, his passionate involvement in the battle to save his beloved Brighton and Hove Albion FC and his path from punk bass player into a career which has lasted decades longer than the ranting verse fad which spawned it.

Full of humour and intellect, and peppered with encounters with notable figures, ‘Arguments Yard’ demonstrates a depth rarely found in the everyday performer’s autobiography, and relates an important social history, being a left wing activist’s eyewitness journey through the great political battles and movements of recent times. Rock Against Racism, the Anti Nazi League, the miners’ strike, the Wapping dispute, Red Wedge, the Poll Tax and campaigns against two Gulf Wars are all analysed from a ringside perspective before the author packs his bags and takes us on another tour of Australia, Canada, New Zealand, the USA or Europe. Attila once turned down an offer of shows in North Korea (only because he was already booked to tour Canada) has stood in for Donny Osmond at a gig, been supported by the Manic Street Preachers – and DJ legend Steve Lamacq was his roadie for a while.

Now a long established Glastonbury regular, a celebrated poet at his football club and the organiser of his own hugely popular beer and music festival, Glastonwick, Attila The Stockbroker remains as focussed and active as ever and continues to perform around a hundred gigs a year to diverse audiences across the world.

His message is a simple one: you don’t need to be ‘a celebrity’ to lead a life earning your living doing what you love to do. You just need a way with words, the self-confidence and organizational ability of Napoleon and skin thicker than the armour of a Chieftain tank.

‘Arguments Yard’ is the perfect antidote to the countless fake tan splattered and empty headed celebrity autobiographies that increasingly fill the nation’s bookshelves.

Trade Union and Community Football Tournament

5 aside football Joe rollin
Celebrating Diversity Through Learning

5 a -side Football teams required.

Unite-the-Union-Community-5-a-side-Football-Tournament
Saturday, 16 January 2016 from 13:00 to 18:00 (GMT)
Barnsley FC – Oakwell Ground Barnsley, South Yorkshire S71 1ET

Celebrating diversity in Barnsley as a City of Sanctuary
Welcoming Asylum Seekers and Refugees.

Free Parking will be available at the ground.
Ten minute walk from centre of town and all train and bus connections.

To Register Contact
Linda Hughes – linda.hughes@unitetheunion.org 07958 511 578
Joe Rollin – joe.rollin@unitetheunion.org 07814 336 545
John Coan – john.coan@unitetheunion.org 07711 375536
Please bring your banners, family, friends and supporters!

A buffet will be provided, dietary needs will be considered.
Find us on Facebook: Unite-the-Union-Community-5-a-side-Football-Tournament

Orgreave Truth & Justice Benefit Night

Saturday 23 January
Barnsley Civic, 4pm, £10

The Orgreave Truth and Justice Campaign would like to thank local actor Danny Mellor for offering to perform his play ‘Undermined’ about the miners’ strike as a fund raiser for OTJC. We would like as many supporters as possible to come along to Barnsley Civic to be part of the experience of an interesting an thought provoking piece of entertainment and to show their continuing support for our aim…

“The Orgreave Truth and Justice Campaign seeking truth and justice for all miners victimised by the police at The Orgreave Coking Plant South Yorkshire, June 1984. Orgreave is part of the pattern of cover ups and lies by the police from the many different forces, which are now being exposed.

We call for a public inquiry to take place as soon as possible into the policing and subsequent statements recorded by the police at the time.

We want everyone who seeks truth and wants justice, to support us in our campaign.”

WBHH-and-Undermined-Nov-15

Undermined
A play performed by Danny Mellor

Inspired by the accounts of miners who lived through the strike, Undermined depicts a year where friendships were strengthened and communities came together. Experience the events through the eyes of young miner Dale, as he takes you through his personal story inviting you into the action. This oneman show explores the humour and struggles of the miners’ strike through energetic and gripping storytelling. Danny Mellor presents a youthful and contemporary approach to one of Britain’s most controversial disputes.

With banners held high
A film by Judi Alston

This documentary explores the resilience of miners and Women Against Pit Closures through their sense of humour, camaraderie and community spirit in the 1984/5 miners’ strike.

The ability to laugh and share funny moments or observations in times of adversity was important during the year-long strike. Their stories capture a legacy of contemporary history and offer a profound insight into the culture and heritage of the former coalfield communities.

Judi Alston, of One to One Development Trust, directed the film, which was commissioned for the ‘With Banners Held High’ event held in Wakefield on Saturday 7 March 2015.

Tickets are on sale now.

UNITE REGIONAL POLITICAL FORUM

SATURDAY 28th NOVEMBER 2015
9:30am until 12:30pm
COUNCIL CHAMBER, LEEDS CIVIC HALL, LEEDS LS1 1UR

Come and join us at the Unite Regional Political Forum on Saturday 28th November. This promises to be a lively meeting and our Speakers will include:

Karen Reay, Unite Regional Secretary
Richard Burgon MP
Rachel Maskell MP
Steve Turner, Unite Assistant General Secretary
Dick Banks, Unite Convenor at Leeds City Council and Unite Regional Committee Chair

There will also be an opportunity to ask questions of our speakers.

As numbers for this event are limited, please contact Caroline Hopwood at Caroline.Hopwood@unitetheunion.org or by telephone on 0113 322 3385 to reserve your place.

Miners’ Memorial Day Service

MINERS MEMORIAL DAY SERVICE 2 001

A Miners’ Memorial Day Service is being held in Sheffield Cathedral on Sunday 11 October 2015 at 1.30pm. All welcome to attend.

Attila the Stockbroker at Old No7 in Barnsley

Attila the Stockbroker has been a great friend of the left for well over 30 years and it would be great if we could get a sell out crowd when he comes to play at No7 in a few weeks.

Power of Song Promotions are proud to present…….

Attila the Stockbroker (John Baine)
With support from the excellent Joe Solo
7.30pm Saturday 17th October 2015
Poems and songs interspersed with excerpts from his new autobiography “Arguments Yard”
Autographed copies will be on sale at the gig.
Tickets £5 – available from the Old No7, Market Hill, Barnsley. (£6 on the door if it doesn’t sell out but it will!)

Attila wanted the gig to be a cosy, personal sit down affair so we’re only making 50 tickets available – get in there quick!

Tickets are available from Old No7 or by contacting Tony Wright and pay via PayPal.

Go to event page on Facebook.

Yorkshire Main Heritage Trust Banner Event

EVENT POSTER

This September will mark the 30th anniversary of the closure of Yorkshire Main Colliery. This changed our Village from a thriving vibrant community to one that was unrecognisable. The strong Community cohesion achieved during the life of the Colliery, and supported by our local institutions, soon began to unravel. We all witnessed the infrastructure crumbling year after year, with the green shoots of recovery taking over 25 years to emerge from the burned out housing estates.

On Saturday September 5th, the Heritage Trust are holding an event in the Miners Memorial Garden, followed by entertainment in Edlington Top Club. We will be unveiling and presenting to the Community a replica of the Unions 1920 Banner funded by the Heritage Lottery fund. This was made with the support of Northern Banners and used art work provided by students from Sir Thomas Wharton Community College. Strap lines for the Banner poles have been provided by the family of primary schools.

We will also be presenting a Timeline of the Collieries proud history imbedded in to the large stone in the corner of the garden. This was sponsored by Keepmoat, and will be supplemented by a piece of Pit Art sponsored by Profab Engineering.

During the event in the Garden, entertainment will be provided by City of Sheffield Pipe Band, Charlotte Leese vocalist, plus performances by local community groups.

Speakers at the event will be Michael Dugher MP, Tosh MacDonald, President of ASLEF, former Edlington residents & Chris Skidmore, Chairman Yorkshire Area NUM & David Douglass, author & former NUM official.

Following the event in the garden a reunion will be held in the Top Club, with folk music & a Gig supported by top bands for the younger generation.

On site catering will be available in the car park adjacent to the club.

Jeremy Corbyn is coming to Sheffield!

Jeremy Corbyn is coming to Sheffield!

He will address a meeting at 2pm on Saturday 29 August at the Crucible Theatre, Sheffield, with overspill in Tudor Square….

Unite Community South Yorkshire Branch will be running a stall at this event come along and help out and say hello!

Below are Pictures from Previous Rally’s! Come and join 1000’s of others the time for real change has come!

Yorkshire Main Heritage Trust

This September will mark the 30th anniversary of the closure of Yorkshire Main Colliery. This changed our Village from a thriving vibrant community to one that was unrecognisable. The strong community cohesion achieved during the life of the ceolliery, and supported by our local institutions, soon began to unravel. We all witnessed the infrastructure crumbling year after year, with the green shoots of recovery taking over 25 years to emerge from the burned out housing estates.

On Saturday September 5th, the Heritage Trust are holding an event in the Miners Memorial Garden, followed by entertainment in Edlington Top Club. We will be unveiling and presenting to the Community a replica of the Unions 1920 Banner funded by the Heritage Lottery fund. This was made with the support of Northern Banners and used art work provided by students from Sir Thomas Wharton Community College. Strap lines for the Banner poles have been provided by the family of primary schools.

We will also be presenting a Timeline of the Collieries proud history imbedded in to the large stone in the corner of the garden. This was sponsored by Keepmoat, and will be supplemented by a piece of Pit Art sponsored by Profab Engineering.

During the event in the Garden, entertainment will be provided by City of Sheffield Pipe Band, Charlotte Leese vocalist, plus performances by local community groups.

Speakers at the event will be Michael Dugher MP, Tosh McDonald, President of ASLEF, former Edlington residents & Chris Skidmore, Chairman Yorkshire Area NUM & David Douglass, author & former NUM official.

Following the event in the garden a reunion will be held in the Top Club, with folk music & a Gig supported by top bands for the younger generation.

On site catering will be available in the car park adjacent to the club.

Bringing back the Collective Spirit – Keep the Faith

release poster event

Sheffield anti-austerity demo, May 16 2015

The anti-austerity protest in Sheffield at the weekend was well attended with a great party atmosphere. Natalie Bennett, leader of the Green party attended the march and spoke at the rally along with many others including Barbara Jackson of Orgreave Truth & Justice and Tony Wright of Barnsley band, The Hurriers.