Haringey Independence Day 2009

Yesterday, Denise and I were at the Haringey Independence Day event. We ran a stall for Spectrum London. This is the 2nd year we have attended, and we learnt our lessons well. Last year, we brought heaps of literature for the stall. It was an achievement for any one to see behind the teetering piles of paper :P This year, it was a lot less, and less to carry home too.

http://www.haringey.org.uk/independenceday/

You can get an idea of what it was all about there, though It probably won't give you the feeling of the event. One of the most constructive, inclusive and friendly events I've been to in a long time. The sun was out, and it was a lovely day. I got a new friend who is called jeffrey. It is a Peace Lily, which is one of my favourites. Now I have one plant, I expect it won't be long before Mikey Mansions becomes home to more flora in the near future.

Lots of workshops and films, which we both missed as we stayed on the stall for the most part. We had a few interested folks taking literature and met some great people. Most folks looked, and moved on. A few raised their eyebrows but nothing negative. We were well placed, by the food area which was very convenient. We snacked away with organic lemonade, scrumptious salads and carrot cake. Denise made some good contacts with some folks involved in Domestic Abuse issues in local london boroughs. We had copies of the press release for the Trans Domestic Abuse online survey which launches Monday, and this was very well received. It was nice to get some honest views from some folks, thanking Spectrum for the work that we do. I think I blushed a few times :=]

I managed to get a couple of the Visteon t'shirts (in XL, which was a blessing as it only just fit me!)

Last year, Reel News ( http://www.reelnews.co.uk/ ) filmed, and as they had a stall there I tried to get a copy of the issue with a report on last years HID. It was the one edition they hadn't brought with them, still we have a copy on its way through the post to us. They were also interested in the short film that Spectrum London produced for this years LGBT History Month, and we may have it included in a later edition (once we have sorted out copyright clearance issues).

I met a few old friends from the past which was great. One of them was there with the food stall, which did an amazing job feeding all the hungry attendees. If you are looking for a vegan caterer for your event, then check them out. They are non profit making, concentrating on producing gorgeous vegan grub. I watched as the cake stall was replenished periodically with fresh out of the oven slices of wonderfulness :D Their website is http://www.vegancampaigns.org.uk/ or you can write to :

Vegan Campaigns
BM 2300
London
WC1N 3XX


Email via info@vegancampaigns.org.uk

At the end of the day, we joined the final workshop session where in the far to short amount of time left, we discussed ways forward from the event. Some excellent ideas, with folks committing themselves to work together bringing them to fruition.

We missed the after party as I wasn't feeling too good, with what felt like a horrible head cold coming on, though it could be related to finally kicking the smoking habit.

I can't wait for next year, so much to do but all good stuff!