Reshuffle Event Pearce Institute 18th 19th March 2011 Free
Common Good Day 18th March
Family Fun Day 19th March

The Reshuffle event has been happening in Govan for the last 5 years sometimes twice a year. Each year we see it becoming more of a community feature and an event that is looked forward to as it becomes better known. We can also gage community progress as each year we are starting to see a building of independent community led activities.

We see the Elder Park community Garden taking great shape and the under way creation of a community trust to run and restore Fairfield farm and its building. All of this work is being done not by grants, but through sweat equity of local people. Two things that are striking in Govan at present. One is the strengthening of its self determination and "do it yourself" culture, which Govan is famous for. The other is in the increasing understanding of the Common Good, that is the driving force. Both of these aspects will be Celebrated at this years Reshuffle event.

The Reshuffle combines the idea of creating a space where we can find out about an explore some of the on going issues, campaigns and information of what is happening around the city. But it is also a family fun day, and would be nothing without the Cardboard Club, Galgael, the Science Festival, RIB bookfair, Document film festival, and all the other stalls and activities that congregate at the PI each year. Where else can you learn to bake the bread and make the soup, that you will have to eat, as well as other exotic food, followed by freshly juiced apples and fresh coffee?

About: Common Good Day, Pearce Institute.

Like most of our historical inheritance, traditions and knowledge that informs and gives our culture structure, it is not a given, it is a responsibility. If that responsibility is reneged on, whether by those whose care these things are entrusted to, or those who should benefit from them, they will certainly disappear.

Such is the case with Scotland's Common Good, a unique resource of cultural assets, consisting of institutions, land and artifact that is an integral part of Scottish history dating back 500 years.

If there was ever the need for the inhabitants of our communities to feel that they belong to something it is now. Amidst a debt ridden, vulnerable and alienating society for many people, the reawakening of a Common Good is apt.

At the Common Good Day we will present and explain what the Common Good Fund is, means, and what it should be used for. We will look at its history, the campaigns to protect it and how to go about researching, recognising and restoring our common heritage

Speakers

Andy Wightman
The author of Who Owns Scotland and The Poor had no Lawyers, is an independent writer and researcher on issues of land and democracy with a particular interest in community land rights. Latest book A detailed and critical look at how Scotland's commons were privatised and how the theft of land continues to this day aided by dubious legal fixes

Alastair McIntosh
Is involved with Scottish land reform especially on Eigg and campaigned successfully against the Harris superquarry in Lingerbay. He is a fellow of the Centre for Human Ecology, an Honorary Fellow of the Schumacher Society, and helped to set up the Govan based GalGael Trust of which he is Treasurer and a non-executive director.

Bill Fraser
A key person in the stop Go Ape, campaign in Pollock Park. Bill has produced with the help of the Mitchell library a pack that will help people to understand how to go about researching the Common Good.

Ian Frame
Set up the Fairfield Community Garden in Elder Park and is now helping to set up a community trust to develop the space as a local people initiative. "Doing it ourselves". The project has a strong Common Good ethos and will help to create a template and educational process others could use

Bob Hamilton
City Strolls, Common Good Awareness Project, Fairfield Community Trust, and other community projects. Interested in how the Common Good could be used as a tool for conversation, networking and organisation on an national level.

We will also hear from folk involved in various campaigns, and Common Good ideas. It is important that people feel that they can contribute to any part of the Reshuffle and be involved. Any contribution no matter how small counts. Please email any queries. Bob

http://www.inthecommongood.org
http://citystrolls.com/res/new-res/index.html
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