The Seditious Tea Party Launch
A reflection
The Third Moon Women group, which is part of the Kasama, ran an event on Saturday 2nd November in Hastings. It was a fantastic day with plenty going on.
As a group we had been learning about the suffragette movement and their seditious behaviour earlier in the year and wanted to offer encouragement to all our members to think about what they can do to protest or be activist in some way for their communities.
One of the highlights of the day was a conversation around beautifully laid tea party tables and a ‘Shepot’, Claire and Emma led a discussion prompted by a Mary Oliver quote: Tell me, what is it you plan to do with your one wild and precious life?
There followed a flurry of suggestions for activism, both individually and as a community. As a result of this we have an upcoming Clothes Swap, Community Quilting event on Sunday 8th Dec, click this link to book (if you’re a member of the FB group)!
Another result is that we’ve all been encouraged to participate in random acts of kindness, however small, to make life a little kinder for those around us. So many of us do this without really thinking, but it’s good to be intentional about it. A random act of kindness can be many things, click this link to find ideas and other support for this activist activity.
The issue surrounding water, access to toilets and safe sea waters to swim in was also raised, this will be another area of focus for us in the coming months.
Highlights from some who attended:
A highlight for me was seeing the room go from an empty space to a buzzing, colourful space, filled with teapots and all different kinds of activities and offerings. A new venture is always an unknown - are people going to come? Is It going to fulfil the potential and vision for the Seditious Tea Party 'dream'? The answer to both of these is a resounding "yes!".
It was lovely to welcome so many visitors into the space, and hear the constant hum of conversation, the drums, the laughing, singing and discussions. Also fantastic to see the new shoots of initiative emerging, and suggestions coming from the women regarding new community activist project ideas. How fantastic! ~Emma M
Wow, wow, wow! What an incredible and enriching day
As we were about to open, I felt moved to tears by the love and power of the sisterhood in the room which just kept building as the day unfolded. Real, beautiful, powerful connections
A big HUG and shout out to our young folk who were an integral part to the balance and success of yesterday
Lastly hoorah to our supportive men folk  ~Sharon @breadstoryteller
…how lovely it was to see people from all walks of life coming together to share thoughts on what’s important to them. I went away with these words in my head...
Listening to each other
Coming back out into the real world
Rebuilding community
Creating kind and safe spaces for women
~Claire
This incredible poem by one of our amazingly creative team:
Third moon women,
It's time for seditious tea.
Bring our ideas and passions together.
Quizzing, chatting, listening, and hearing stories.
Looking back in the history of suffragette movement.
Recognition and significance of yesterday today and tomorrow.
Suffragettes in our blood and veins.
 We continue and capture in extending our equality.
No shame!
As we stand.
Now, in this 21st century, the human race, the obstacles we still have to endure and face.
This all still matters.
Our day event in a classroom on the coast.
A lot we do have to show and boast.
Local historians, we hear you loud and clear.
Amongst the drummers and songs.
Subjects to stir, in becoming matters for our communities.
We discuss at length in being positive and with strength.
Activists of a community of craftivists are a chain together.
Patchwork quilt.. Great idea and so clever.
We join, listen, and hear.
Bring a blanket, a T-shirt, even your pants to be printed as we sing together.
Please feel free to dance.
A hare, a snake, Sheela na gig, your choice, whatever you like.
Claire and Emma K are here all day.
Teapots to paint at your leisure.
Always it would be a pleasure, as you create please don't forget to donate.
How to make bread from scratch.
Make some poppets as you pass.
Henna tattoos are so very clever! no pain.
Clarys, with any design.
You will be back again and again.
If you need some quiet space, a mindfulness corner, a safe place, to write or draw.
Staying calm and stress free.
Neurographic art, that's the place to be.
Our youth on site is so kind and bright.
Photography, art, writing too.
An inspiration to the youth as one sang also like an angel.
Kindness throughout, just always there helping out.
Thanks to all who attended our seditious tea.
There will always be a next time.
As this is just a start.
We will always provide
A day for your voices to be heard.
Just take our word, always, the event we hold with an abundance of tea.
Please bring some cake!
Be prepared to bake, bake, bake.
~Christina
SOUND AS A POUND - SUPPORTING KASAMA
We are asking everyone who possibly can to sign up to the "sound as a pound" scheme to help Third Moon Women, Kasama and Wild Spirit thrive, and continue being spaces that enable, empower, educate, and encourage people
We’re asking our supporters to give £1 a month (or more if you want!) via our Kasama Community Interest Company bank account, details below. (This is preferable to supporting us financially via Substack due to fees)
Kasama...Creating Safe and Brave Spaces is our overarching community interest company, and like Wild Spirit and Third Moon Women is not for profit, nobody is making money. We are however wanting to ensure that we can continue with the goodness and positive activities.
These funds will over time help us to continue holding all kinds of subsidised activities, funded spaces for retreats and workshops, insurance, refreshments, renting spaces, and more, we also want to ensure contributors get properly reimbursed for any materials they use for activities with us.
£1 a month seems small and maybe insignificant individually but if enough of us sign up it is considerable. You could even pledge £1 a week!
Here are the bank details: (please use the reference SAAP Which stands for "Sound As A Pound")
Thank you so much
Kasama Creating Safe and Brave Spaces CIC
Account Number: 39049060
Sort Code: 30-99-50
Upcoming Dates for your Diary
Saturday 30th November – Crone Magic Circle at 37 Wellington Gardens, Battle from 6pm
Saturday 7th December – Wild Spirit – venue to be confirmed, 10am
Sunday 8th December – Clothes Swap & Community Quilting event at Catsfield Village Hall 3.30 – 8.30pm
And finally…
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Until next time…