People Have A Global Voice On Climate Change In London

Me at London's People's Climate March 

On 21 September, I took part in the People's Climate March, the largest combined global climate march in history, with 2,646 solidarity events taking place in 162 countries, including here in London. On that Sunday, over 40,000 people attended the London rally from across the UK, with all ages taking part, from grandparents to children, founding campaigners and future generation of social media campaigners united. I carried my Avaaz banner, promoting the need to take responsibility for cleaner energy and chatted to interesting people from across the UK.

My friend David, who is a fantastic photographer, joined me on this peaceful march and he took some wonderful shots, in particular as we walked past Whitehall towards the Palace of Westminster, where the march ended with speeches by campaigners including the musician Peter Gabriel and actress Emma Thompson. I was pleased to learn later that 400,000 people attended the New York climate change march on 20 September, making it the largest rally in history.

My first experience of campaigning harks back to the late 80s, when I took part in a series of anti-war marches as a student  in Sheffield, with the Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament (CND) symbol scrawled on the back of my denim jacket. The passion for campaigning continued throughout the five years I spent as a student and continues now. Anti-war campaigning has been the main theme over the years for me, including protesting against the Iraq War in 2012 and a Stop The War Coalition march in 2013. However, the environment and the effects of 'global warming' have become increasingly more important to me over the last decade.

Recycling each week is not enough for me and I believe more needs to be done to raise awareness of the irreversible damage that a build up of carbon dioxide in our atmosphere can do to our natural environment, our health and well-being. By acting now on simple things like changing the way we use our energy and manage our waste, we can prevent further damage before it is too late. We should not depend on the large corporates to be the only ones who need to change to make a difference. We also need to change our own behaviours, in order to prevent irreversible damage to our natural habitat. 

I also went to see the film Pride on 19 September, which I recommend going to see if you haven't already but remember to take a tissue, as tears may flow in a good way.  This inspiring film, set in the summer of 1984, when Margaret Thatcher is in power, tells the story of a London-based group of gay and lesbian activists who raised money to support a Welsh community of miners on strike, organised by the National Union of Mineworkers.

The two groups discover that standing together makes for the strongest union of all. Something that was achieved across the 162 countries that took part in the People's Climate Marches this month.

Read more here about the  People's Climate March London

Beating To The Bush Before Launch Of The Ironic Fantastic Issue #3

Beating about the Bush on 3 September

Well, here I am two weeks after I went to see Kate Bush perform on 3 September at the Hammersmith Apollo. Right from the start until the end, the crowd were engaged, not only with Kate but also by the amazing set design and special effects that left you craving for more surprises. A short technical hitch, an hour into the first set, couldn't dampen the excited crowd's spirits. Kate made sure we, her fans, didn't missed out. The show continued for an additional half an hour. With an 11pm curfew at the venue, Kate's management team must of paid a fine to allow the show to run in its whole entirety.

The whole event was a musical extravaganza, that not only led the fans through a personal journey with Kate, but was also a unique theatrical experience. Her 16 yr old son Bertie, who allegedly influenced her to tour, also performed throughout the show. Perhaps Kate timed her return around Bertie being at an age where he could participate too.

Kate's triumphant return at 56 has now set the standard high on how future live music events should be delivered. Her blend of raw music talent and creative choreography made the crowd feel like they had travelled back in time to 1979, when she last performed and in the same venue. It was the music highlight of 2014 for me and the special effects topped those used in Roger Water's The Wall at the O2 back in 2013. Considering the size difference of Hammersmith Apollo, compared to that of the O2, it was a great creative use of space within a small venue and I wait now with baited breath to see if Kate will return for another tour in the near future.

Three other significant events took place over the last few weeks:

I was interviewed on Oystermouth radio over the Bank Holiday weekend, where I promoted my two poems and a short story which are featured in the Ironic Fantastic anthology issue #3. I also got to select a few of my favourite songs, including one by Kate Bush in between. You can listen to the interview by clicking on this link

I have had two of my poems and a short story featured in the Ironic Fantastic issue #3. The anthology is packed with some amazing international emerging writers, poets and illustrators. It was edited by my talented writer friend Paulo Brito, also known as Oulipo Brat (an anagram of his name). You can download it for free by clicking on this link

Finally at 2am, early this morning, the Duffin clan saw a new arrival when my brother Malcolm's partner Ceri gave birth to a baby girl, Erin Duffin. I am now a proud Aunt to a lovely little girl and her two year old brother, as well as continuing my role as Auntie Fi to my oldest brother Douglas's three grown up boys. I was only 21 when I first became an Aunt, how time flies. It feels like it was BEFORE THE DAWN.