Even with Christmas only just over the horizon, the cuts have continued over the last week, with the announcement of the funding settlement for local councils hitting Nottingham particularly hard. Even Cuts Watch has been cutback, this week's edition arriving late and in a slimmed down version. "Normal" service may or may not resume after the holiday period.

On Wednesday 15th December, supporters of the Gedling School held a demonstration outside County Hall to protest plans to close the school.

The Nottingham Solidarity Network will be forming soon! We are currently a group of community activists in the Forest Fields and Hyson Green area who want to form a network of local groups across the city. The aim of this network would be to support each other and show solidarity with one another. We are committed to local community ownership of our own resources, where people genuinely take back …

After a 3 week trial and 3 days of deliberation for the jury, 20 climate activists were found guilty of conspiring to commit aggravated trespass today. The defendants were amongst 114 activists arrested at a Nottingham school in April 2009, on the verge of taking action to shut down the Ratcliffe-on-Soar power station. Over the course of the trial the jury heard evidence from a raft of expert…

Press release: Activists found guilty in Ratcliffe coal climate trial

As the UN climate talks finish in Cancun, and fail once again to come up with any legally binding framework to reduce emissions, the British legal system is still upholding business as usual. This can’t continue. Burning coal has no future.

14 December 2010



All 20 defendants are found guilty of Conspiracy to Commit Aggravated Trespass at Ratcliffe-on-Soar Power Station in April 2009.

Monday 13 Dec 2010



10.00am and all back in court yet again.

The past week has seen the snow give way to freezing temperatures, but again this has done nothing to stop the onslaught on public services, nor the burgeoning fightback, with even Prince Charles getting caught up in anti-fees protests. Events haven't been quite so exciting in Notttinghamshire, but there's been a lot going on, some of which (but inevitably not all) is recorded below.

If you’ve g…

Saturday 4th December 2010, 1-5pm



Day of action on student fees and education cuts in Nottingham. oh, and corporate tax evasion.

10 December 2010



His Honour Judge Teare concludes his summing up and directions.

9 December 2010



Miss Felicity Gerry for the prosecution begins her speech to the jury.

On Thursday 9th December, Notts County Unison held a small protest outside County Hall.

8 December 2010

Mr Rees for the defence says that there will be no more ‘live’ evidence presented.

7 December 2010



The defence continued their case. Mr Rees called a further two defendants to the witness box.

6 December 2010



Mr Rees for the defences calls Prof. Ian Roberts. He is Professor of Epidemiology and Public health at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine.  Widely published and contributed to issues on health issues and debates worldwide.  Active research interests in the links between fossil fuel energy use, climate change and human health, contributing work to the World Health Or…

Nottingham's vegan campaigners aim to hold 10 Vegan Free Food Give-Aways on December 11th, each aiming to reach 200 members of the public with the urgency of dietary change for the health of people, other animals and the environment worldwide.

The news this week has been dominated by snow which has rendered the north of the Nottinghamshire and much of the country almost inaccessible. But a little frozen water isn’t going to stop the important business of cutting private services and there’s no shortage of material for this week’s Notts Cuts Watch. All of it brought to you in a new, shorter format which is hopefully easier to use an…

Week 2 of the Ratcliffe Trial saw the defence open their case, giving some of the defendants an opportunity to explain why they took the actions they did. Among the witnesses called was NASA scientist James Hansen, former MP for Notttingham South Alan Simpson and Green Party MP Caroline Lucas.

The Manchester Airport Trial will begin next week, with 11 defendants facing charges of obstruction of t…

Saturday 4th December was a de facto day of action against cuts in Nottingham with a demonstration against tax avoiders and a student protest running into one another.

2 December 2010     Nottingham Crown Court

Mr Edward Rees QC for the defence, calls the first witness of the day.  He is Alan Simpson, former MP for Nottingham South between 1992 to this last election 2010.

Singer songwriter Billy Bragg visited the ongoing occupation at the University Nottingham the day after his gig at Rock City. He had also visited Nottingham Prison to see the results of his project to make guitars available to inmates. He arrived just as the 1pm daily meeting of the occupation was starting.

Current campaigns include tackling the reintroduction of fur by Paul Foot and preparations for the biggest Vegan Free Food Give-away yet attempted. And a whole lot more.

‘Nottingham Students defy the freeze to continue their fight for Higher Education’

 Despite the snow and the heating being turned off, Nottingham Students are occupying the Great Hall in the Trent Building of Nottingham University, for a second day since Tuesday afternoon. Following a general meeting at 1pm today, the students are organising a programme of alternative education, film…

30 November 2010     Nottingham Crown Court

Snowing much today, resulting a couple of jury members being late to court. We eventually start after a couple of hours delay.

As part of a second day of action against fees and cuts, students at Nottingham University have occupied The Great Hall in The Trent Building on University Park. Occupiers are encouraging to supporters to visit them. Donations of food, bedding etc are welcome.

A third day of action is planned for Saturday 4th December (note this was originally planned for Sunday, but has been brought forward).

L…

Notts SOS is pleased to announce a weekend of anti-cuts action in Nottingham. The campaign is growing and many more people are taking action. Visit Notts SOS website for more events and information.

At 11.00am barrister, Mr Edward Rees QC opens the case for the defence.

Anti fur demonstrations have been taking place regularly outside Paul Smiths recently since they have launched a new line of real fur clothing.

An (incomplete) overview of how the age of austerity has affected Nottingham and Notinghamshire over the last week or so. This is largely culled from various local media outlets, so apologies for some of the dodgy analysis.