Open Minds Festival
 

June 15th - 21st
Pennine Lancashire's first Open Minds Festival to be held in Hyndburn.

A week of thought provoking and entertaining events.

Key events

An afternoon in the company of Inspirational women.
Accrington Town Hall, 1.30pm, 16th June
Speakers are now confirmed:
Germaine Greer
Sally Naden - BBC Radio Lancashire presenter
Kathy Reade - Chair of NHS East Lancashire

Three very interesting speakers, and a great afternoon for just £12.
Includes tea and scones.


Tea with Mrs Pankhurst
A wry and engaging look at the suffragette movement from the perspective of two lancashire women.
Oswaldtwistle Civic Theatre
Wednesday 17th June, 7.30pm
Tickets £2.50

Off Her Trolley
Award nominated Edinburgh Fringe show. A blend of comedy, stand up and song which takes a look at the experiences of aging.
Oswaldtwistle Civic Theatre
Friday 19th June, 7.30pm
Tickets £2.50

Tickets are available from Accrington Town Hall or from me.

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You can now download the complete brochure for this event.

go to index


This is subsidised by Grassroots Grants which is why ticket prices are ridiculously low for the shows.

This is not just for women, by the way, it's for everyone.

For people who have the odd grumble that there is never anything on at the theatre, this is a good opportunity to prove that you would attend events and activities if they were put on for you.

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My chiropody appointment clashes with Germaine Greer, and since a cancellation will mean a 2 month wait for a fresh appointment, I won't be able to go :(

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Well I should think listening to Ms Greer would be like having your toenails pulled out without anesthetic anyway Margaret:D

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They all sound really good Gayle, am going to try my utmost to get to some (if not all of them).:thumbsup:

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Thanks Kate, support is appreciated.

I know that this whole event week is 'different' but we've got to keep trying different stuff.

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It's a shame that the Germaine Greer event is on a weekday afternoon, as I'd have liked to have popped along. Working just gets in the way of the things that I want to do. :D

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I think I may pop along, just for the laugh. One Pound 20p seems quite reasonable for an afternoon's entertainment. I assume, of course, we shall be allowed to heckle.

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By some strange serendipidy, I have received a revised chiropody appointment date
(I didn't ask.....cue spooky music)

So if Tealeaf is there I will make a point of sitting near him with a large handbag

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I've got a couple of horsehoes you can put into it:D But there again, you probably have a NORI in mind:theband:

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This sounds like a really great idea ... of course, as usual, I will be in Canada, and will miss it all ... hope it's a great success.

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It's £12 a ticket and you will be allowed to ask intelligent questions - which rules you out Tealeaf. :tongueout

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Your Post is time at 15 23pm Gayle the Cup Final was on, why were you not watching it:D

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Oh so it's cup final day is it?
Who is playing who?
Wish I had known earlier in the day, because it is the only day of the year when visiting shops is anything like a civilised pastime:rolleyes:

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LOL ... I didn't know either Margaret, but went into town to get my ticket for the conference ... Town Hall shut... :rolleyes:

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They were all watching the Cup Final kate:D

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Does the Town Hall open on Saturdays? Always thought it was just through the week unless something on:)

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The Information Centre is Bernie ... according to HBC site.

9 a.m. >> 4 p.m. Mondays to Fridays.
9.30 a.m. >3.30 p.m. Saturdays.

My fault, should have checked first ... it was around 4 p.m. :(

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do us men just leave our penises at the door :D

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No, you can bring them in with you, don't worry we won't chop them off.

Men welcome. :D

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No, just put it on yer head where it belongs ..:D

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I collected the tickets that Gayle had reserved for me, today.
The lady on the town hall desk said that they are selling well, so if you want to go don't leave it to the last minute or you might miss out.

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Just got mine too this afternoon Margaret .. I asked the same question, got the same answer. Asked if any men were buying ... said a couple. Was bursting to look at her records (she asked for your name and address) to see if Tealeaf had got one ... :D

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Unless he reserved one for collection, I doubt whether his name would be on record. He thought they were £2, so I doubt he will fork out £12, plus his fare from London:rolleyes:

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Let's just hope this lot don't turn up ... this is what happened at one such event previously :-

http://www.accringtonweb.com/forum/f...view-20111.htm

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I heard you on Radio Lancashire today Gayle. I thought you came across very well. :)

As I said earlier, I'd have been in attendance, but the timing of the event doesn't suit us working folk. I don't see any reason why men wouldn't be interested in going along.

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Yes, tickets are going well so if you want to go might be an idea to get them in advance.

As for Tealeaf - I'm absolutely sure he knew they were £12. :D

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No..........you're having a laugh! Are you seriously telling me that, in the depths of the worse economic recession since the 1930's, some people are actually daft enough to fork out twelve quid for this nonsense? Twelve quid?........I could spend a good three hours in good company, having great conversation and close on a gallon of splendid ale and still have change from twelve quid.

You can be sure I won't be turning up, unless of course, someone lets me in through the fire exit, in which case I will be heckling.

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Tealeaf ! We all know that you are the biggest misogynist on this planet; the fact that you would be determined to heckle, no matter what the subject matter will be .... which we don't know yet. Keep an 'Open Mind' ... :D

Would think the N.H.S. lady would have been of particular of interest to you :rolleyes:
Possibility you could need their services if you did turn up .... LOL. You all talk though aren't you ? :p

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I talk the talk and I walk the walk.....you should know that by now.

Anyway, I've just noticed that the session with Mz. Greer is not the only piece of loonacy scheduled for next week. There is something else on called "Tea with Mrs Pankhurst". God alone knows what that is about, although I do recall seeing a little play some years ago called "Beer with Mr Pankhurst" which was all about some poor sod crying into his ale because of the crackpot capers of his Mrs and her chums.

Still, I suppose the final offering for next week just about sums it all up..."Off Her Trolley". A fine description of this wasteful exercise.

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How impossible are you ... http://planetsmilies.net/angry-smiley-8013.gif

Did you read the synopsis ?:-

Off Her Trolley
Friday 19th June (7.30pm)
Written and performed by
Eleanor Bennet - Civic Theatre,
Union Road, Oswaldtwistle BB5 3HZ
This funny combination of stand up, character and song
explores the experience of ageing and senstively illustrates
the difficulties posed by the onset of Alzheimer’s disease
both for the individual and their carers. Off her Trolley
challenges the ways in which elderly people are perceived
by the wider community and skilfully illustrates the
‘common ground’ between those that have and those that
do not have Alzheimer’s disease.
Despite the seriousness of the issues that this one
woman show contains it is an entertaining and uplifting
show, created to make people laugh and well as
encourage reflection.
Off her Trolley was nominated for the Amnesty
International / The Big Issue Freedom of Expression
Award at the 2008 Edinburgh Fringe and one 'Best
Performance' / 'Best Show' in the Act Provocateur Solo
Festival.

Suppose men are not afflicted with Alzheimers are they .... :rolleyes:

At least Gayle, he is bumping the thread up and may even help to put more bums on seats .... :mosher::p

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As usual you're aim is towards women, if I had the equivalent job as a man I would be accused of bias & sexism, and no doubt several other 'ism's'. I might attend one day when you give us blokes equality, men also get the odd raw deal, until then I hope the level headed women give you a wide birth!
:(

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I blame the W. I.

Would hate to be level headed ... sounds boring ... :p

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I organise a lot of events throughout the year - there is no 'as usual' about it.

Brass band concert in rhyddings Park
Mowgli Stories in Memorial Park - July 4th
Sparks stuff - throughout the summer for young people
Dying Matters - a play on at Ossy Civic in October
Brass band concert in Oakhill Park
Mela in Oakhill Park
All the Pennine Lancs Food Festival stuff in August
Dance festival in late July
Children's theatre festival coming up in late Sept

There is no sexism or bias at all - the Open Minds Festival is organised on behalf of Hyndburn WOMEN's Forum - so naturally for those few events they would be most likely to appeal to women!!!! But are you trying to say that ALL the events listed above are usually for women?

But you know what - if you don't want to come to any of the events that I organise, simply because you think there might be too many women there, then I won't lose any sleep over it.

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I like 'normal' women, not the sort that always claim they've been badly done to that you make your middle class living from.

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I don't even understand what this insult means but I'm fairly sure it's supposed to be an insult.

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Pretty sure it was Gayle. I would like to know Less's definition of 'normal' women.

I suspect he likes them balled and chained, tied to the sink, wearing pinnies, bringing up an army of children brought about by laying back and thinking of England. Waiting for a housekeeping allowance every Friday night, and not grumbling whilst he goes out for a pint every lunch with his mates. Any intelligent thoughts or ideas would be banned from the family home ... oh, and please have my slippers ready for when I get home.

The thought of women that have striven to give us a better deal in life and, God forbid, a successful career is abhorrent to him obviously !!!... worst still that their successes should be displayed on a public stage for other women to see. And Gayle, you are not allowed to make a living wage from organising such events !!!!

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I'm with Tealeaf, nothing but a bunch of Guardian reading misandrists. All they need now is Jo Brand and the coven's complete.

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A normal woman kate, is one who has the tea ont table when you come home from the pub:hidewall::hidewall::hidewall::hesoff::D:D:D

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I think that it is interesting to note than neither Less nor Jaysay have a live-in, loving companion in their later life.:rolleyes:


PS - well neither have I - but I am an EX Stepford wife :)

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Strange as it might seem Gayle I actually went to that one with some of my Grandchildren, I met a very charming man there called Tealeaf, you walked passed us at least twice huddled inside your Anorak, we would have said hello but you looked down enough without us adding to your misery.
WE only stayed until my Granddaughters lips turned a dark shade of blue with the cold, but, please don't think I hold that against you even with your multitude of talents I don't think you have yet perfected controlling the weather.
I did notice however at one stage the amount of Police & community wardens was greater than the crowd for a while. :D

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It's simpler than that, Jaysay...a normal woman is one who does what she's told.

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Well, that definitely excludes me from the 'normal' woman category Jaysay, have been known to plonk my x's tea on the pub bar on more than one occasion (with a few added ingredients) .. ;)

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And there was me thinking you were a la dee kate, think the clue must be in the fact your a fiery redhead:D

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I thought it was a bit quiet on here & I've just realised why....all the resident troublemakers are over at t'townhall having their heads filled with twelve quids worth of useless garbage spouted by the mad professor. I wonder if any of 'em have had the common sense to walk out? I doubt it somehow. Needless to say we shall all be in line for a full report later on this evening,(if they've not been sharing too many whiskeys).

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A very entertaining afternoon - glad you mysogenists didn't attend.
Germaine Greer even mentioned Accrington Web- she had read this thread;)

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Did she mention that most browsers now have spell checkers?

When you learn a new word such as misogynist sometimes it good to look it up in a Dictionary.

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A mental blank due to a total distaste for what it implies
...you misogynists loved your mother.....or did you?

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Yer pathetic sometimes Less... seems like you missed a word out above, and don't think dictionary in this context requires a capital letter ..:p
Actually, my spell checker has disappeared and although properties show it is activated ... isn't. May need the advice of your superior brain later ... :D

Don't know many ladies who drink whisky .. certainly not me.

I enjoyed the afternoon very much, and the three speakers were very varied, with no heavy feminism at all.

Sally Nadem told us how she progressed from stage school at 12 to where she is now, taking us through anecdotes which included personalities such as Tommy Cooper, Eric Morecambe, Jim Bowen and many more. Her experience as a Tiller Girl, and the fire at Summerland in the Isle of Man in which 53 people died, and she had a lucky escape. She then described her experience with breast cancer and the reconstruction to give her a normal appearance again .. except her nipple was a little off colour. (No we didn't get a viewing).

Kathy Reade (a lady with a dry sense of humour) .. did start to tell us women that we should not be influenced by our image, and if we didn't wish to pluck our eyebrows then so what ! The irony was that her first sentence was in the form of an apology for her putting on weight in the last year from a size 12 >> 18 ! Bit hypocritical I thought. She gave us some amusing stories when she worked as a Social Worker in Moss Side, but her message at the end of the day, was that you have got to believe in yourself and go out to do whatever you wish to do.

Germaine Greer .. the true professional, gave us an outside view of our town and how regeneration of our town could be looked at in an entirely different way to preserve our surroundings rather than pull them down to replace with red brick buildings and marble seats. Perhaps we could make use of some of our past industries like dyeing (not viable really as no weaving industry to support). Praised Accrington Stanley, and how it should not be let go, and annoyed that other big clubs were not generous enough to give to struggling teams. Lots more, but she had certainly done her research on our town.

Brief I know, but if there is anything else you wish to know Tealeaf, will only be too happy to oblige ... :D

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I'm glad that the women (I got told off by Kathy for calling us 'ladies' :D) enjoyed themselves. Sorry Margaret, I'd forgotten you were coming, you should have said hello.

Sally was great fun, her life has been a real rollercoaster and she's such a warm friendly speaker. Kathy, is also fun, but as Katie said, more dry humour but to end it with a song was so good. As for Germaine, a great professional and very knowledgeable, and thought provoking.

I know that the whole concept of the event was a little bit different and perhaps not what people would expect, but what the heck. The women there seemed to find it interesting and I'd like to do more - any suggestions for the speakers for the next one?

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This 'alleged' misogynist did, Oh, also my Father, wife & two Children, various other siblings as well.
So what does that mean according to your logic?
:rolleyes:

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That you are a 'part timer' ;)

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Wrong, full time, but only against certain types of women.

http://planetsmilies.net/cool-smiley-9005.gif

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What about Bernard Manning? Yeah, I know he's dead but I'm sure if you dug him up for next time and propped him up him in front of you lot he would still be more interesting than yesterday's codswallop.

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Very entertaining was our Benard Tealeaf, he had a way with words:D

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...yeah, but not many ones attempting to be funny about lard arsed Mancunian comedians who lived with their mummy.

Odd that.

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Sorry Gary.......was Bernard fat? :confused: :D and a mancunian? Poor sod, didn't have much going for him then :D

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Fat's all relative, but he wasn't exactly small.

http://m.gmgrd.co.uk/res/33.$plit/C_...em_0_image.jpg

In later years he featured in quite a few documentaries in which he wandered around in just his underpants.
Since I've only just had my breakfast, I couldn't face searching for one of those photographs to illustrate my point.

:eek::D:eek:

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Well its halfway between breaky and lunch Rindi have another try:D

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Why does Garinda watch documentaries of men wondering around in their underpants? Is there a psycological term for this condition?

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It was a series about comedians of different generations.

I quickly turned off when big Bubba was in his under kecks, whilst his mum ironed his best bib 'n' tucker.

The term is anthropological, by the way.

(Just in case it comes up in the quiz, as I know you need all the help you can.)

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I always thought anthropology was the study of human beings and societies, and not the study of men in skid-marked green underpants. Thank you for correcting me and I shall certainly remember that for my next quiz.

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Enjoyed last night's offering 'Tea with Mrs. Pankhurst' ... just up your street Tealeaf ... wow, women campaigning for the right to vote ... heaven forbid !

Had never heard of one of the characters ... Selina Cooper ... always associate with Emily Pankhurst.

Was well acted by the four actresses and left you with the question which of the two above had the most influence in gaining our vote.

Educational as well as entertaining. Can't wait for tomorrow's 'Off her Trolley' ... :D

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It certainly taught me something and I was a bit surprised too.

I'm looking forward to tomorrow as well. I've just been speaking to the actress and again, it's an hour long show, this one is slightly edgier I think. I don't really know exactly what to expect.

I have to stress that tomorrow's show is not specifically for women (as it happens a few men did come last night anyway) because this is about old age - which affects everyone.

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Well, the week is over. The last play was a bit intense but I enjoyed it and it was clevely acted.

Thank you to everyone who attended any of the events. It was an interesting week.