A busy weekend from politics to singing

Last Friday I went up to London for a conference for parliamentary candidates organised by DODS and chaired by Robert Worcester of MORI. There were a lot of Greens there and a surprising number of independents, plus a few Labour and Lib Dem - not to my knowledge any Tories. It was free and we were given lunch, but to me it wasn't worth the eye-watering cost of the train fare from Lewes to get there for a 9 am start. The main message I took away was that Green thought is a long way away from the thinking of the establishment and it is going to take a positive revolution to overturn the establishment view that all that is needed is a bit of tinkering with the existing system. I went to a session on financial services and asked about the possible introduction of a Tobin tax. It'll never happen, was the consensus on the platform. Being active in the Green Party and transition town one is surrounded by people questioning the establishment paradigm of continuing economic growth on a finite planet, so to go to an event like this really brings one up against the hard reality that most people - and especially not the establishment - don't share that perspective at all - however much lip service they pay to the need for action on climate change.

Still back in my comfort zone on Saturday, helping to exchange Lewes Pounds at the Do at All Saints, a festive event organised by TTL, the Lewes Pound CIC, etc. It was a lovely event and very well attended, certainly during the afternoon when there were lots of stalls selling local and eco-friendly festive goodies. I wasn't there for the evening when it became more of an entertainment event as we had tickets to see Alan Bennett's version of The Wind in the Willows at Lewes Little Theatre. This was most enjoyable, lots of great lines and excellent acting for all the main parts - local amateur theatre at its very best.

Sunday, right outside my comfort zone, taking part in the Lewes bit of Sing Hallelujah - a nationwide event for communities to sing the Hallelujah chorus from Handel's Messiah. You didn't be to 'be able to sing' or to read music, so we - over 300 of us us in a very cold Foundry gallery - were led gently through it by conductor John Hancorn and Pippa Danes during an afternoon rehearsal and performance early evening. We also sang Leonard Cohen's song Hallelujah - which I love - and also a slightly jazzy version of Handel, which was definitely the one I found hardest to sing. Roger is a keen amateur singer, but it was an unusual way for me to spend a Sunday. I really enjoyed it. The icing on the cake was to discover that Artemis Arts, who run the Foundry , were planning to give 50% of the profits to Landport Youth Centre - all income desperately needed. I look forward to seeing the cheque!