IlonaM

https://www.nationalbooktokens.com/win/the-poetry-playground-awaits-enter-our-national-poetry-day-writing-competition?utm_medium=email&utm_source=nbt&utm_campaign=20251002-national-poetry-day&utm_content=flash-poetry 'Thursday the 2nd of October is National Poetry Day – and this year’s theme is play! To celebrate, we’re inviting you to enter the poetry playground and let your creativity run wild… for the chance to win a glorious £50/€60 personalised National Book Token featuring your poem. One runner-up will receive a £25/€30 gift card in our standard design. Entries will be judged by the wonderful CLiPPA and Jhalak Prize-nominated poet (and Jhalak Poetry Prize 2026 judge) Nikita Gill. Your writing prompt? Play! Please feel free to interpret this prompt in whatever way you wish. There are limitless ways to play and be playful, so let your imagination loose, and show us what poetry and play mean to you. Competition rules, hints and tips: Poems must be no longer than 14 lines in length. All poetry is welcome, and there are no rules or restrictions around rhyme scheme, metre, genre or style, so long as your poem is no longer than 14 lines. A minimum of one poem and maximum of 10 poems can be submitted per entrant. Entrants must be aged 16 or over. Entrants can submit poems on behalf of those under the age of 16. We recommend saving poem(s) in a backed-up document before copying and pasting into the entry form, so you don't lose your work. Where possible, please indicate line breaks by using / (e.g. 'I think that I shall never see /A poem lovely as a tree'). Entrants must submit their poems by midnight, Sunday 5th October 2025.'

I've adopted two cats from Celia Hammond. They are a fantastic no-kill shelter with dedicated staff and volunteers and provide veterinary care at reduced cost for cats living in families who cannot afford private veterinary fees, thereby supporting families to keep their pets rather than give them up for adoption or abandon them. They deserve our support - not just for the current urgent fundraising campaign, but with day-to-day donations of money for ongoing expenses, as well as food, towels etc. Neutering cats as a way to reduce unwanted litters is common practice throughout Europe and the US, including for feral colonies (trap, neuter, return programmes). If people adopted animals that are in urgent need of homes, whether cats, dogs or others, rather than buying them from breeders there wouldn't be such a crisis.

Join us on Saturday 11 October in Central London for the next national march for Palestine. Assemble 12noon in Central London. Link: https://palestinecampaign.org/events/national-demonstration-for-palestine-11-october/

For all the lawyers, law students and human rights activists: Conor Gearty https://observer.co.uk/profile/obituary/article/obituary-conor-gearty-the-unwavering-human-rights-lawyer

Menzies Campbell, former Liberal Democrat leader, dies at 84 Campbell was North East Fife MP for nearly three decades and was made a peer, and once held UK 100m record https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2025/sep/26/menzies-campbell-former-liberal-democrat-leader-dies-at-84

Claudia Cardinale of The Leopard and PInk Panther fame, amongst others. https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/films/news/claudia-cardinale-death-pink-panther-italian-cinema-b2832357.html

By the nature of the protests

Given the late Queen's reported opinion of Trump I think she would have been quietly amused https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/article/2024/aug/20/very-rude-the-late-queens-salty-verdict-on-donald-trump

Led By Donkeys attacks ‘Orwellian’ arrests after Trump Windsor projections https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/sep/17/four-arrested-after-image-of-trump-and-epstein-projected-onto-windsor-castle-ahead-of-presidents-visit

See also Protect The Wild https://protectthewild.org.uk/ a campaign group.

I have found two entertaining ones so far... 1) Led By Donkeys projection on Windsor Castle https://www.standard.co.uk/news/crime/trump-epstein-projections-windsor-castle-state-visit-arrests-b1248118.html 2) Brits protest against Trump state visit with Epstein merch all over Windsor Castle https://www.indy100.com/politics/trump/donald-trump-jeffrey-epstein-merch-windsor-castle

https://www.standard.co.uk/news/london/stop-trump-coalition-march-donald-trump-state-visit-protest-london-b1247913.html

By now you’ve hopefully seen that our main demonstration against Trump’s state visit is in London on Wednesday. Many of you have also asked, though, about how you can help ‘welcome’ Donald Trump to Windsor when he arrives there tomorrow (Tuesday) evening. So here’s the plan: We’re asking you to come and line Windsor High Street tomorrow in a peaceful, static protest. Time: 6pm, Tue 16 Sept Location: Assemble outside Windsor Parish Church, High St, Windsor SL4 1LS and then spread out along the High Street. Grab some cardboard and a pen and make a homemade sign to show Donald Trump and his supporters what you think of them! The world’s media will be in Windsor to cover the state visit, so showing visually that he is not welcome will send an important message far and wide. If you are coming then please join this Signal chat group for important updates. Protest safety Please buddy up and come with someone else You have a right to peacefully demonstrate, but we are expecting a high police presence. Remain non-violent and non-confrontational, and do not talk to the police. It may be better to dress inconspicuously, not like an ‘activist’ We plan on ending at 7.30pm. Please leave in groups of 5–10 and make sure you have a bust card This action is entirely legal but we still recommend that you read this key advice when going on a protest to know your rights. Remember: No comment No personal details Ask ‘under what power?’ No duty solicitor Don’t accept a caution Here is the protest support line: 07946 541 511 and here is more information on Stop & Search under the Public Order Act. Thank you for being part of the movement against Trump. In solidarity, Stop Trump Coalition

https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2025/sep/15/police-search-for-11-violent-disorder-suspects-after-unite-the-kingdom-march

In just two days, we’ll take to the streets to show Donald Trump that he and his politics are not welcome here. On Saturday the global far-right mobilised their biggest protest for decades. We want to show that supporters of Trump and fascism are not the majority – far from it. Here are all the details you need for the day. The march assembles at Portland Place, near the BBC, at 2pm (see assembly blocs below). After speeches here, the march will move off at 3pm. It will then march down Regent St, through Piccadilly Circus, on Whitehall (past Downing St) to our rally at Parliament Square. The rally at Parliament Square will begin around 5pm and finish at 7pm. If you can’t make it to the march, feel free to join the rally after work! (Nearest tube: Westminster). The short, accessible version of the route assembles at the top of Whitehall (SW1A 2DY) at 4.30pm to march to Parliament Square for 5pm. You may also prefer to just join the rally directly at Parliament Square. Join a bloc – and make friends! Our movement is diverse, and various elements are forming ‘blocs’ on the march to emphasise their visual presence collectively. You can join these blocs or form up behind them: A) Palestine, near BBC, W1A 1AA B) Climate, W1B 1NS C) Amnesty, around junction with New Cavendish St, W1B 1LU D) Migrants' rights, W1B 1LS E) Jewish bloc, W1B 1QQ F) Ukraine, around junction with Weymouth St, W1B 1JL G) Europe, W1B 1NR More stewards still needed Stewards are a crucial part of keeping the protest safe for everyone to participate. They are a visible point of contact for attendees who may need directions or other assistance. Experience of stewarding is useful but it's also fine if you haven't done it before. You will be issued with a hi-vis jacket and briefed in advance and on the day. Sign up to be a steward Staying comfortable on the day The demonstration lasts for several hours, so we suggest you should: Bring a bottle of water and snacks (and eat beforehand) Charge your phone fully the night before, and bring a portable charger if you can Go to the loo beforehand (really!) Buddy up with someone, or stick together as a group – it can be hard to find people easily if people wander off Coming alone? Protests can be a great place to meet like-minded people. If you feel unsure, you can always talk to a steward Consider the weather: bring a waterproof jacket or wear suncream where necessary Wear comfortable clothes and footwear, and use our accessible route if you need to (see above) Bring your friends and family on Wednesday. Let’s make this massive! In solidarity, Stop Trump Coalition

https://www.standard.co.uk/news/crime/police-hunt-attack-south-london-b1247389.html Apologies if already posted on here - did look, couldn't find anything... 'The Metropolitan Police have appealed for help to find a man after a woman was seriously injured in an unprovoked attack in south London. The woman, in her 20s, was assaulted on Lordship Lane in East Dulwich at around 4.45pm on Monday August 25. She was treated by paramedics for injuries to her face and her jaw was broken in the attack. The victim was then taken to hospital and she continues to be supported by specialist officers. Officers are now searching for the suspect and are urging members of the public to come forward if they have information. He is described as a black man in his 30s or 40s with balding hair. He was wearing dark clothing during the attack. He is said to have approached the woman while she was by herself before swearing at her and then hitting her in the face. Detective constable Charlotte Kerr, who is leading the investigation, said: “We are working hard to find the person we believe is responsible for this senseless and unprovoked attack. “While we continue our enquiries, we hope our increased neighbourhood police presence will offer some reassurance to women and girls throughout the local area. “If you saw anything on Monday, 25 August – particularly between the junction of Lordship Lane and Chesterfield Grove at around 16:45hrs - do not hesitate to get in touch with us. “No matter how small you think your information is, it may be the key that unlocks our investigation.” Any witnesses or anyone who can help identify the suspect is asked to please contact the Met via 101, quoting 5018/25AUG or 01/7897951/25. Those who wish to share information anonymously can contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.'

https://www.nationalbooktokens.com/student-books?utm_medium=email&utm_source=nbt&utm_campaign=20250910-student-books&utm_content=win-250-gift-card 'Win one of five £250 National Book Tokens! Essential study guides to one-pot recipe books, epic fantasy to beloved Victorian classics... National Book Tokens empower students to choose exactly the books they need to write their next chapter in life. That's why we’re giving you the chance to win one of five £250 National Book Tokens to surprise a student at school, sixth form, college or university – the perfect gift to spend on books of their choice, whether for study or simply for fun (or both!).'

The SDCAS Crowdfund campaign is now live: Help Save Southwark Day Centre for Asylum Seekers! "I’m proud to be an advice volunteer at Southwark Day Centre for Asylum Seekers (SDCAS), a community that welcomes and supports refugees, migrants, and asylum seekers in Southwark. Right now, we’re facing the toughest moment in our nearly 30-year history. Unless we raise funds this September, we may not be able to keep offering the hot meals, English classes, advice, and safe community space that so many people rely on. That’s why I’m asking you to support our emergency Crowdfunder: 👉https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/save-sdcas Even a small donation, or sharing this with your friends and family, will make a huge difference in helping us to reach our £70,000 goal and keep SDCAS open. This place means so much to me, and to everyone who walks through our doors 💛.Thank you for your support in spreading the word. ... Be sure to tag us @SouthwarkAsylum on Facebook and @sdcascommunity on Instagram We really value your support, £70K is an ambitious goal but we know our dedicated supporters can get us over the line! Our sincere thanks in advance from all of us at SDCAS. Best wishes Judith Arkwright"