Once a month or thereabouts, a panel of speakers stands before a dedicated and wide-ranging audience to share their ideas and their experiences on the key talking-points of the day: the Olympics and the meaning of sport; the value of art; the challenges of the Big Society. Together they are the Leeds Salon, a discussion group and public forum to talk freely and honestly about the things that truly matter.
Once a month again, another group of people gathers together, brainstorming and sharing advice and guidance to businesses, campaigners and community groups. Together they go by the name of Elsie – Leeds Community Enterprise, an “enterprise accelerator” there to help people make things happen.
And once a month (or, for that matter, whenever anyone else wants to take them on and have a match), yet another group of people joins together, donning the same strip and playing Sunday league football – the only club in Leeds governed by a constitution which stands against violence and racism, and for camaraderie, fair play and freedom. Together they call themselves Republica Internationale FC, a Socialist football team “about much more than just football”.
Just three groups of committed local people, radically divergent in what they are about, what they do, and what it is they believe in. Yet three groups which are set to come together to share their ideas and experiences with many others – like-minded people just as keen to play their part and do something worthwhile – later this month at the spectacular Leeds Summat.
On November 26th, over a thousand people are expected to join together from across the region, listening to talks and taking part in a series of workshops – all whilst enjoying live music, food, film, and all-round fun and games. Among the keynote speakers are Peter Tatchell, the BBC’s Harry Gration, and academic Maurice Glasman. Local folk – Leeds Salon, Elsie, and Republica Internationale among them – will be hosting workshops on everything from guerrilla marketing and rekindling community spirit to growing your own food and speaking in public.
This year’s Summat builds on the incredible success of the inaugural gathering two years ago, which in turn had grown from a series of such events put together by Together for Peace. Run on a budget that is limited in financial resources but seemingly endless in its supply of goodwill and creative energy, the Summat comes at the climax of a year that will rest uneasily on historians’ lips for decades and perhaps centuries to come.
The year 2011 will go down as the time when dictators abroad were toppled by a new generation no longer content as slaves to a state, but yearning to be free as citizens; the time when all estates of the political nation at home were challenged and confront by their own demons as well as by demonstrations and riots from those almost entirely disenfranchised. Perhaps this November the year will come to live on as the time when people came together to see what they can do. When old worlds and ways of thinking are shattered, something new has to be built in its place: brick by individual brick, community by community.
It has been said, rightly or wrongly: “Never doubt that a small group of committed people can change the world. Indeed, it’s the only thing that ever has.”
This month’s Leeds Summat may well prove just how true that really is.
Take a look at the full programme of events on November 26th here.