Solidarity and good vibes in Middlesbrough – Wembley be damned

~ Uri Gordon ~

Later I was wondering if this was the first time a radical bookfair had to compete with a major footballing event, but I figure quite possibly not. What is certain is that the Auxiliary gallery was more chilled-out than any Middlesbrough pub on this Saturday, as the local team faced Hull for promotion to the Premier League.

With all eyes in town on Wembley Stadium, what the day lacked for in attendance it more than made up for in solidarity and good vibes. “It was brilliant to see our movement, both local and from a wider area, coming together again this year”, said co-organiser Tom Brown, who noted the quality of the welcoming new venue.

The Teesside Radical Bookfair featured your friendly anarchist booksellers as well as a dozen-odd groups including the Tees Zine Fest, the Old Moles Collective, and North East Volunteers for Liberty, as well as the Green Party (South Tees) and Housing Action Teesside. Workshops included an Intro to Anarchism chat, poetry writing, and DIY pants bunting making with “My Bits My Business”.

Disappointing results on the pitch did not take away from the joy of the entertainments, with intermittent sets by DJ Bestie. After inclusive choir SYSTEMIC, Bob Beagrie read poetry inspired by the Spanish Revolution against an evocative soundscape. Then came Ukulele Dave’s solidarity singalong and ambient punk combo Ellen Moss.

The next morning we headed out into the sunshine. In the beer garden of the Yellow Rose, a massive Middlesbrough FC flag was hanging at half mast.