Matilda introduction

This is a poem, long contributed by Amp; there is also an introductory text that Benjamin sent to the list, see also the Matilda vision from Helen and the early texts.

MATILDA Introduction
Mole after mole were creating Alternative currents from windy zones Towards a horizon Inside a ghost town Licking their faces Daffodils were showing A yellowish tongue... Look up at the windows Inside the ghost town; Velvet sounds to burst, Explode like champagne Scattered with glass.



So dream upon dream This realm was built-up No hibernation no cloning no Just multi-threaded dreams Like pearls from a necklace Our underground berries Within reach within sight For their smell, their taste Our soft furs to touch...

''(Poems contributed by Amp) ''

M.A.T.I.L.D.A, the new Sheffield Social Centre
A new social centre is currently emerging in Sheffield, for YOU to use! This social centre, named M.A.T.I.L.D.A (or Massive Alternative Terrain for Insurrection, Love and Direct Action) is now open for meetings, forums, film showings, parties etc. The space will also host a regular cafe social, will house artists studios, and contains it's very own hacklab. It is a political space for use by community groups and activists who are unable to afford the high rent charged by commercial venues.

All around us public space is disappearing. Instead we are forced into the corporate 'space', if you could call it such, where the only options are working or shopping and our entertainment comes only in packaged, branded, inherently unsocial bars and multiplexes. But we are fighting back. All around the world social centres are created so that activists and community groups can have space to organise events in a democratic way.

Now there is a social centre in Sheffield, in a building that lay largely abandoned for years. We aim to make this space a working alternative to the everyday system of violence, war, fear, capitalism. It will be a community centre that is autonomous from state control and challenges the system of property relations which keeps us broke and enslaved to unscrupulous landlords.

Our social centre makes use of self-managed space through autonomous, consensus based decision making. The sorts of activities we envisage using the social centre for are information sharing, free / cheap cultural space, libraries, multimedia resources, meetings / forums, and the occasional party! Providing not-for-profit services such as food (by donation), internet resources, and a friendly, caring environment to people increasingly disenfranchised by the stripping of the welfare state is prioritised.

Another aim of a social centre is to create a space that is free of racism, sexism and homophobia and any other prejudice. In order to do this it is important that the space is free of state control, and that we organise in a way which respects autonomous movements, multiplicity of means towards a common end, and also establishes real links with communities. We live in a precarious time where fear of our own neighbours is spread throughout our communities by the stranglehold the government, corporations and the mainstream media have on our consciousness. We exist as a space where this fear is dissipated and instead our differences are turned into possibilities, and everyone who wishes to participate and engage with our space, providing they observe our ground rules (see below) can do so without the fear of harassment.

In all, we exist to demonstrate the capacity of people to organise themselves outside of the systems of state and market which increasingly control our lives. By providing our own social and political spaces we are empowered to express our marginalised views, develop civic courage, and take democratic control of our own communities.

Drop round to check out the hacklab, enjoy one of our regular cafe and social nights, or just to have a chat and a sit down.