By Bev Haigh-Jones
Europe Day Street Stall
Europe Day stall team – 10 May
I wasn’t able to take part in the Europe Day stall (I was gutted!), but, needless to say, the rest of the team made it the usual successful event. The main focus was an oversized greetings card, provided by the European Movement, on which people were asked to write their comments, thanks, or greetings to the EU. These cards were being compiled by groups across the UK and they have now all been returned to EM, who will be sending them on to Petros Fassoulas, Secretary General of European Movement International in Brussels.
Although our particular event was quieter than expected – possibly because of the glorious, much longed for fine weather – there were still plenty of positive comments on the card, and stickers on the Opinionometer.
This is what CfE’s Chair, Howard, had to say about the day: “Another great morning on Lemon Quay! With the help of Howard H, Ann, Gren, Sue, Jeremy and Dave, we set up our stall in Truro again today. Summer had suddenly arrived, but it was unexpectedly quiet on the quay. The theme today celebrated Europe Day and the 75th anniversary of the European movement, and we collected greetings to the EU on a giant card, and also received replies to today’s questions on the board. As usual, very little confidence in the government, and very divided over Natalie Elphicke joining the Labour Party – but definitely no Brexit benefits!”
It can be great fun to get involved with a street stall, as our regular volunteers know only too well. If you think that you might like to give it a try, why not pop along to our next one and see what you think. No commitment – just arrive and leave as it suits. You might find that you become addicted.
It doesn’t matter if you’ve never done anything like it before – there was a first time for all of us – and you would be surprised how easily the conversation flows when you’re talking to like-minded people. If you think that you might wish to get involved in any way at all, please just message us via Facebook, or email. Alternatively, just turn up on the day and introduce yourself.
Next stall
The next planned stall will take place on Friday 31 May in Falmouth and will run from 10.30 am until around 1 pm, as usual. We will be on Market Street, probably somewhere in the vicinity of The Grapes Inn, depending upon where we can find a suitable location.
In addition to our normal board, stickers and badges, we will be advertising the upcoming talk and social with Dominic Grieve and, of course, holding conversations with any passersby who are happy to stop and chat. Full details will be posted on our Facebook Events page and on our website.
Ongoing campaigns
As well as our regular street stalls, we are still supporting the ongoing European Movement campaigns. These include their membership drive, Embracing Erasmus+ and Face the Music. More on all these below.
European Movement membership
This year marks the 75th anniversary of the Movement and what better way to celebrate than to join such a well-established, pro-European organisation, and at the same time help the drive to return the UK to our rightful place in the EU.
Joining is as easy as scanning the QR code shown to the left and filling in a few details, or alternatively, you can join here via their website.
face the music
Many of us will have heard of the problems now being faced by groups of musicians, or artists of any kind, who wish to tour the EU post-Brexit. The red tape and additional cost make things almost impossible, meaning that many have lost their main livelihood and many others have been denied the chance to work in the EU on a permanent basis. If you haven’t done so already, please sign the petition via the QR code left, or by using this link.
Embrace Erasmus+
The Message: “The Young European Movement, in partnership with European Movement UK and the British Youth Council, is calling on the UK Government to restore Britain’s membership of the Erasmus+ Programme, which was ended abruptly in 2020 despite promises of its continuation.”
- It wasn’t necessary to leave the Erasmus programme to achieve Brexit.
- It wasn’t necessary to create an alternative, inferior programme to replace it.
- It’s quite possible to be a part of Erasmus without being a member of the EU.
- So why are the UK government punishing our young people, and those of the other countries who are also affected?
It’s high time that the UK rejoined the Erasmus+ scheme and gave young people the opportunities that should be rightfully theirs. Add your voice via this link.
