What is it about other people’s glasses that we find so fascinating?

Is it just me, or are you unable to resist trying on your mate’s new glasses too?

Whenever I’ve had a specs change, there’s always a gaggle of hands trying to grab my glasses so people can try them on for themselves.

They always seem to get passed around the pub as everyone else puts them on and laughs.

But then, I’m no better.

I was at the View Two Gallery on Friday night to watch Barry Briercliffe strut his funky stuff at Liverpool Acoustic Live.

And in walks Vinnie with a pair of snazzy new glasses.

He didn’t have them on for long. I had to have a try.

Barry near wet himself saying I looked like a cross between Alan Carr and a Proclaimer.

Still, they looked good on Vinnie if not on me. As you can see.

Or maybe you like them? Should I get a pair or stick to my current set? Let’s know.

Me in Vinnie's Glasses

If you like your football with a dollop of socialism that means the fans own and control your club….

If the Premier League makes you feel like a mere customer…..

If the news that a footy player gets £250,000 a week for something you’d do for free makes you reach for the vom bucket……

… then you’ll be interested to hear the latest on AFC Liverpool.

First AGM

The non league club, which I founded last year, has just had our first AGM this weekend, held at the Liverpool Supporters Club in Walton Breck Road.

The club is a co-op meaning fans are equal owners of the club simply by paying just £10 membership.

So the fans get to decide the sort of things that Hicks and Gillett decide on their own up at Anfield. Socialism in action!

At the AGM the fans put motions forward about the future direction of the club, decided who the board members are, and decided the level of ticket prices. Imagine that at a Premier League club!!

Remarkable First Season

It’s been a remarkable first season for a brand new football club started and run by “mere fans”.

We have 14 junior and community teams – not just a first team and reserves.

Our youth system challenges some professional league clubs which have been in existence for over a century. Big heads up to Sean and Russ in particular for that.

AFC Liverpool won the First Division Trophy adding immediate silverware to the trophy cabinet. (The official cup final song written and recorded by me is at the top. Ta to Louis Dowling for doing such a boss vid).

Even our match programme, edited by Steve Horton, walked away with the league’s Match Programme of the Year award.

On top of that, loads of our junior teams won their leagues, adding even more silver to the pile.

The Gaffer

Derek Goulding, the first team manager said: “Many of our players have often dreamt of running out in front of the Kop at Anfield.

“Our supporters this year were magnificent. Running out at grounds all over the North West the players never tired of seeing the massed red banners and hearing the fervent singing and backing they received.”

Paul McCombs, the club’s Chair said: “In keeping with the community ethos of our club we have decided to keep our gate prices at the same as last year for the coming 2009 / 2010 season.

“For £5 Adult, £3 OAP, £2 Child, you can watch a successful team with its heart in the community of Liverpool.”

Those wanting season tickets get their footy even cheaper. Seventy quid for an adult season ticket and fifteen quid for kids. That works out as 88p per match for Under 18s.

Stick that in yer Premier League and smoke it!!

Getting Involved

If you want to get involved in supporting, joining, or volunteering for AFC Liverpool, then find out more at www.afcliverpool.org.uk or email info@afcliverpool.org.uk

This is one especially for those of my fans who can get to London easily. This came to me from the campaign group fighting the deportations of the SOAS Cleaners.

I Want Rosa To Stay by Alun Parry

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Lobby the Home Office, Tuesday 30th June, 5.30-6.30pm
2 Marsham St, Millbank, SW1

Staff and students at SOAS are calling for Alan Johnson, Secretary of State for the Home Office, to grant leave to remain with permission to work for Marina Silva and Rosa dePerez, two of the SOAS cleaners picked up in a brutal immigration raid on 12th June.

Marina, who is 63 and has applied for asylum, following the brutal honour killing of her husband and threats to her own life, and Rosa, who has four children to support in Nicaragua, remain in detention following the raid. Their colleagues, including six months pregnant Luzia, were deported within 48 hours of the raid.

Cleaners at SOAS had demanded and organised for dignity at work with many joining a union. They had succeeded in winning union recognition from the privatised cleaning firm ISS and raising their pay to the London Living Wage—higher than other colleges in the area.

It is of grave concern that the raid, organised by ISS, took place shortly after this campaign and on the very day on which UNISON was due to protest in support of an activist who had played a leading role in organising the cleaners at SOAS.

Please support our campaign:

Lobby the Home Office, Tuesday 30th June, 5.30-6.30pm
2 Marsham St, Millbank, SW1

Bring banners and props.

Sign the letter requesting leave to remain is granted to Marina and Rosa
http://freesoascleaners.blogspot.com/2009/06/send-this-letter-to-home-office-now.html

For more information go to: http://freesoascleaners.blogspot.com/

Stop the Deportation of SOAS University Cleaners!

Supported by SOAS SU, UNISON and UCU

As night begins to fall, Al & The Woolly are still stuck in the car. Tiredness sets in and the jibberish quota rockets.

This urgent appeal for help comes from News From Nowhere bookstore in Bold Street. Please respond if you can. I reproduce it in full below:

News From Nowhere Bookshop needs your help. We are struggling more than usual with cashflow this summer.

Here’s how you can help:

1) INTEREST-FREE LOANS OR DONATIONS

Put that spare cash (?!) to good use by investing in a not-for-profit workers’ co-op – we can discuss terms.

2) CREDIT LOANS

Lodge monies with us in a credit account to be used against future purchases – either a regular amount or a one-off.

3) BUY BOOKS!

For yourself or your organisation – remember we can order any book in print. We can supply @ 10% for local schools & organisations.

4) OFFICE FOR RENT

We have an office for rent – approx £195 p mth + utilities/rates. Also a room in our flat above NfN – £70 p wk (incl rates) + utilities.

5) SPREAD THE WORD

Forward this email to your contacts and friends.

Get in touch to talk to us about any of the above. Many thanks!

USE IT OR LOSE IT – SUPPORT INDEPENDENTS!

News From Nowhere Bookshop
96 Bold St, Liverpool L1 4HY
0151 708 7270
Email: nfn@newsfromnowhere.org.uk

Buy books at www.newsfromnowhere.org.uk