Saturday 4th December was a de facto day of action against cuts in Nottingham with a demonstration against tax avoiders and a student protest running into one another.

2 December 2010     Nottingham Crown Court

Mr Edward Rees QC for the defence, calls the first witness of the day.  He is Alan Simpson, former MP for Nottingham South between 1992 to this last election 2010.

Singer songwriter Billy Bragg visited the ongoing occupation at the University Nottingham the day after his gig at Rock City. He had also visited Nottingham Prison to see the results of his project to make guitars available to inmates. He arrived just as the 1pm daily meeting of the occupation was starting.

Taken from http://ratcliffeontrial.org/2010/12/day-8-leader-of-the-uk-green-party-explains-the-eu-democratic-deficit/

Taken from: http://ratcliffeontrial.org/2010/12/day-8-%E2%80%93-morning-session-former-mp-alan-simpson-testifies-in-support-of-the-ratcliffe-defendants/

News from the occupation in the Great Hall, Trent Buildng, University of Nottingham.

I popped down to the University of Nottingham today to see how the student occupiers were getting on. I found a well organised group making use of the space for workshops, meetings and catching up with their coursework. In between these activities a few of the occupiers found time to chat about what it's all about.

30 November 2010     Nottingham Crown Court

Snowing much today, resulting a couple of jury members being late to court. We eventually start after a couple of hours delay.

Students at Nottingham University have occupied The Great Hall in The Trent Building on University Park. 

They say:

1. We demand that the University of Nottingham lobby the Russell Group and the government and issue a statement condemning all cuts to higher education, the EMA and the rise in tuition fees.



2. We demand that the University of Nottingham implement a complete open book policy in reg…

Notts SOS is pleased to announce a weekend of anti-cuts action in Nottingham. The campaign is growing and many more people are taking action. Visit Notts SOS website for more events and information.

At 11.00am barrister, Mr Edward Rees QC opens the case for the defence.

Report from the afternoon session of day 5 of the Ratcliffe trial

Trial Day 5 - Cheryl Cole more effective than direct action.

Anti fur demonstrations have been taking place regularly outside Paul Smiths recently since they have launched a new line of real fur clothing.

An (incomplete) overview of how the age of austerity has affected Nottingham and Notinghamshire over the last week or so. This is largely culled from various local media outlets, so apologies for some of the dodgy analysis.

David Cameron has promoted the “Big Society” as an alternative to the “big state.” If we are to believe his "vision," independent groups, volunteers and cooperatives will take over many of the functions currently provided by government.

As the meat trade prepares for its annual frenzy of eviscerating millions of turkeys, Nottingham's Veggies crew rolled into Sheffield on November 25th, 2010, with Animal Aid's Friend or Food campaign.

Continuing from yesterday, Barrister for the prosecution, Miss Felicity Gerry continued to hack her way in reading through the significant sized list of papers, maps, equipment and property. Laying out the sophistication of the plans.

Students from Nottingham University and Toot Hill School in Bingham protest against higher university fees and the axe of EMAs.

23 November 2010 Nottingham Crown Court



Barrister for the prosecution, Miss Felicity Gerry continued to outline their case.

Wednesday 24th November 2010,



The Conservative Party HQ was closed for business today. 

Yesterday the first witness was called by the prosecution - Raymond Smith, former plant manager at the Ratcliffe on Soar power station.  The defence probed him on E.ON's record on sustainability.

23 November 2010 Nottingham Crown Court



After yesterdays administrations and argument, today started with the jury being introduced to the prosecutions main elements of the case.

On Saturday 20th November, hundreds of folks gathered for a demonstration / protest march in opposition to the governments cuts to welfare, public service, care etc etc .... [oooops sorry, I meant the governments public spending review].

On Saturday 20th November, hundreds of folks gathered for a demonstration / protest march in opposition to the governments cuts to welfare, public service, care etc etc .... [oooops sorry, I meant the governments public spending review].

18 months after 114 people were initially arrested at the Iona School in Sneinton, 20 climate change activists have begun a month-long trial today. They were originally arrested on 13th April 2009.



On Monday 22 November 2010, they have appeared to answer charge at Nottingham Crown Court: that they conspired together to cause aggrevated trespass at the Radcliffe Power Station. The trial is expected …

Whilst we wait for the expensive media camera crews to prepare their news reports for 6pm / 6.30 this evening, here's one I took earlier with a battered, 2nd hand, 19th century mobile phone. Everyone is Indymedia!

A year and a half after being pre-emptively arrested alongside more than 100 other people, 20 climate change activists will begin a month-long trial today.

An (incomplete) overview of how the age of austerity has affected Nottingham and Notinghamshire over the last week or so. This is largely culled from various local media outlets, so apologies for some of the dodgy analysis.

Thursday 18th November 2010



Damage was done to the Conservative Party Nottingham Office last night.