Saturday 21st April 07 - Potato Picnic - It's not too late to stop Hull's GM spuds

Make your voice heard, come to the Rally - Mystery celebrity speakers, walk to see the proposed trial site, live music and fine organic food. Starting from Preston Road Community Centre Marfleet, Hull. 1-3pm Bring costumes, families, footwear and clothing for a country stroll and your favourite potato-based dish.

What's going on? The government is proposing to allow the German Chemical company BASF to run two years of trials of Genetically Modified (GM) potatoes in the area just east of Marfleet. Why have they been modified? The potatoes have been engineered to be resistant to Late Blight, a fungal disease which causes them to rot in the ground. However, it's not necessary to use genetic engineering to achieve this, 20% of the potato varieties already grown in the UK have been made resistant to blight through normal, selective breeding.

Are they wanted? Nationally, the British public has consistently rejected GM crops from both their fields and their plates. Locally, in 2003 the East Riding of Yorkshire council voted to be a GM free zone.

What's wrong with GM? GM is a totally new way of creating living organisms by taking a gene out of one species, like a fish, and putting it into another totally different species, like a tomato. It's an imprecise and unpredictable technique which often affects the modified plants in unexpected ways. Sometimes they start to produce new toxins, or fail unexpectedly. Once GM pollen is released into the environment it cannot be contained. In America, where GM is grown on a large scale, GM pollen is so widespread that most farmers have no choice but to grow GM.

Those that don't risk having to pay royalties for 'intellectual property rights' when their crops accidentally become contaminated. Growing GM in Hull threatens the livelihoods of Organic farmers who will lose their Soil Association standard if they become contaminated. No one will insure against the risks associated with GM, and the Country Landowners Association believes that growing GM affects land prices. Beekeepers are also threatened with the possible contamination of their honey.

How have other countries responded to BASF's GM trials? Both the Netherlands and Ireland stopped BASF trialing these potatoes this year because of environmental safety concerns. Is it Safe? There has been very little research into the food safety of GM. One of the few experiments that have been conducted - by Dr Arpad Pusztai in 1999 - produced alarming results. His study involved feeding GM potatoes to rats and his findings suggested that the modified varieties damaged the rodents' immune systems and growth rates.

Is there anything we can do? The good news is that GM is one of the few issues where the government and big business have had to pay attention to public opinion. Due to the actions of ordinary people, Britain has been almost completely GM free for over 2 years. It's still possible for us to keep it that way.

On Saturday the 21st, people from all over the country will be coming to Hull to tell BASF that GM crops are not wanted here. If you are concerned about this issue, or simply want to know more, please join us.

For more info go to www.mutatoes.org Please Support Hedon Against GM - Click Here to sign the petition www.hedonagainstgm.org.uk

Coming Up, - Thursday 19th April 07 - The Bohemian Revolution is Back at The Haworth Arms
	It's all gone a little funny at the Bohemian Revolution. Come and see the comedy performance Dear Future Wife performed by Nique Woodhouse. Joining him on the line up is Phillip Wincolmlee Barnes unburdening his soul with poetic gems of wisdom. But why end there when you can enjoy the psychedelic blues rock band The James Dean Syndrome as well. Read more...

Coming Up, Media - Thursday 19th April 07 - Hull Film Presents Feedback: Visual Howl And Reflexive Music At Hull Screen, University Of Lincoln George Street 7.30pm
	Hull Film, in association with Seeds And Bridges, will return on Thursday 19th April with Feedback: Visual Howl And Reflexive Music, a dynamic series of short films to be screened at Hull Screen. With Jimi Hendrix and the early soundtracks of Dr Who being the best some of the best known examples of the creative use of feedback, the programme will focus Read more...

Coming Up - Thursday 26th April 07 - Healing Evening With The Raymond Cass Foundation
	Would you like to be healed, feel at peace and let go of any pain you may have? HERIB (Hull and East Riding Institute for the Blind) is hosting an evening of healing with The Raymond Cass Foundation. This is an opportunity to learn about crystals and the mineral kingdom and how they can help with healing. You will also be able to experience Read more...

Coming Up, Conferences - Tuesday 24th April 07 - 3rd Sector Delivering 4 Community Conference At York Racecourse, 9am - 4pm
	This event aims to provide practical advice and guidance to your organisation as well as providing inspiration to encourage the growth of the 3rd sector. It is aimed at you if you want to: Know how to win that tender, market your organisation and get access to further funds Build your skill set to enable you/your organisation to be more self-sufficient as well Read more...

Coming Up - Tuesday 17th - Saturday 21st April 07 - Free For All Project At Hull City Hall
	Hull City Hall will be hosting a powerful event for school children to mark the 200th anniversary of the 1807 Bill abolishing the slave trade. The event is taking place in around 30 different Cathedrals throughout 2007. It has been organised by the Church Mission Society (an organisation set up over 200 years ago, in close connection with the Abolitionists) Read more...

Coming Up - April 07 - Help Stop The BNP
	The BNP are standing candidates in the Marfleet, Myton and Newington wards for the Hull City Council elections that take place on Thursday 2nd May. We are asking all our supporters to help leaflet the houses in these wards. Together we can beat the BNP and their racist poison. Join us on the following dates and bring your family and friends along too. Read more...

Coming Up, Conferences - Friday 11th May 07 - Making Values Live At The Octagon, Walker Street, Hull 9.30am
	Making Values Live is a conference encouraging boldness amongst voluntary and community sector organisations. It will share the learning from Living Values, a report funded by Esmee Fairbairn, and will provide you with practical tools for putting your values into action. This event will include stimulating discussion on the role of values in the Third Sector, Read more...

Coming Up - Thursday 19th April 07 - Ladies Who Like To Lunch At Cave Castle, South Cave
	HERIB ( Hull and East Riding Institute for the Blind) are holding an exclusive ladies- only lunch at the wonderful Cave Castle Hotel. The renowned Dorothea Desforges will be giving a very entertaining talk on Life, Love and Laughter and the Hon. Mrs. Susan Cunliffe-Lister will be attending as our special guest. This is a great excuse to dress up Read more...

Coming Up, Conferences - Thursday 19th April 07 - Annual Rural Housing Conference At The Country Park Inn, Hessle Foreshore
	Humber and Wolds Rural Community Council are organising a rural housing conference around the subject of Community Land Trusts. The conference will bring together speakers from across the country. They are aiming for a mixed audience including local parish groups, councillors as well as housing and planning professionals. This will be the first in a series of three Read more...

Coming Up, Courses - Hull CVS Short Courses March - April 07
	Hull CVS are holding some short courses over the next two months which could really benefit your organisation. All courses take place in Room 3, The Goodwin Centre, Icehouse Road and will be taught by Margaret Stevenson. Please note that all courses include refreshments, but lunch is not included. All full day courses cost £66 for those from Read more...

Coming Up, Seminars - Monday 17th - Wednesday 19th April 07 - Helping Artists To Plan For Their Future
	A series of free seminars are being offered in Yorkshire during April 2007, aimed at helping artists and creative practitioners to understand and plan for their future pension provision. 44% of the UK's working population does not have a pension, but among artists and other creative practitioners the figure rises to a worrying 70 per cent. To help Read more...

Coming Up, Health - New Free NHS Stop Smoking Service
	A free service is now available for smokers who wish to break the habit. It will be taking place at the Portland Hotel in Hull city centre (next to the City Hall) every Monday from 11.30am to 2pm. Smokers who are ready to quit can pop in at any time to get the help they need. The programme lasts for 6 weeks, for approximately 15 minutes per session Read more...

Coming Up, Courses - NLP Practitioner Courses 2007
	Are you interested in learning and the power of words to influence and motivate? Do you work with people who are trying to change their lives? Or would you just like a more useful understanding of yourself and why you do what you do? Volcom's NLP Practitioner Course starts this month, and is a great Read more...

Coming Up, Band Dates - The Seatbelts - February to May 07
	Here's where local 50's and 60's cover band, The Seatbelts will playing in the near future: Saturday 10th February - Jack Rabbit Slims, Witham, Hull Saturday 17th February - Nags Head, Newland Avenue, Hull Saturday 10th March - Ideal Standard Social Club, County Road North, Hull Saturday 17th March - Read more...

Coming Up - February 07 - May 07 - Social Afternoon Activities At The Carers' Centre 1.30pm - 3.30pm
	Hull Carers' Centre runs a weekly Tuesday Social Afternoon with the following topics: 13th February - Valentines Day - Couples match up 20th February - Radio Nostalgia with Terry Richards 27th February - Aids and Equipment with Phillipa Marriot 6th March - The Wonders of Britain - Part 2 with John Whittle Read more...

Coming Up, Band Dates - Band Dates - Punch The Horse Gig Dates - February to May 07
	Established in November 1996 in the Hull area, Punch The Horse is a local band playing Irish music. Here's where they be playing in the near future. All pub gigs are free. Friday 9th February Durty Nellie's, Hull. 9.15- 12.15 Friday 2nd March Red Lion, Driffield. 9 - 11.15 Saturday 10th March Durty Nellie's, Hull. 9.15 - 12.15 Friday 16th March Read more...

Listings - Yo-Yo Indie Clubs Live Listings - April to June 07
	Saturday 28th April at at Welly Club, Hull Dead Disco at Yo-Yo Indie Club / Live Night From 10pm Saturday 5th May at Welly Club, Hull The Maccabees at Yo-Yo Indie Club / Live Night From 8pm Saturday 26th May at Welly Club, Hull Yo-Yo in all 3 rooms - The Who after party with All Mod Cons and DJ Priya From 10pm Read more...

Listings - Acoustic Night at Music HQ - April 07
	Check the Full Listing..What's on at Music HQ at The Tigers Lair, Anlaby Road, Hull Doors open at 8pm, featured acts from 9pm entrance £2 Saturday 14th April - Acoustic Clarence, The New Clarence, Charles Street, Hull. The Wigglers Ade Webb Live music from 9pm, free entry. Wednesday 18th April - Acoustic Wednesday, Read more...

Listings - What's on at The Wellington Inn - Thursday Live Music - April 07
	Check the Full Listing..Thursday 5th April - 8pm Stripped with Holly Taymar, Twisted Phobia and Cherry Cobb Cartel From 8pm. Admission Free Thursday 12th April - 8pm Adrian Byron Burns - Blues Guitar Thursday 19th April - 8pm Stripped with Mark Wynn, Boss Caine and Shane McMurray From 8pm Read more...

Listings - Live Music At Sleepers Café Bar, Newland Avenue - March - April 07
	March 2007 Monday 19th Emma Rugg Tuesday 20th Adrian Byron Burns Friday 23rd Someone and the Somethings Friday 30th Liar April 07 Monday 2nd Phil Marshall Friday 6th harriWatts Band Sunday 8th Only Natural and Andy Hardy Thursday 5th Northern Soul Night (and every Thursday Read more...

Listings - Live Music at The Crown Inn, Holderness Road- March to May 07
	Check the Full Listing..April 2007 Wednesday 4th Night with the Stars - Various acts. Tickets £5 Saturday 7th Lemon Grass - Rock and pop. Free Entry Saturday 14th Crackerjak - Rock classics Free Entry Wednesday 18th American Four Tops Motown Show. Tickets £7. First and last gig in Hull! www.soulsatisfaction.co.uk Saturday 21st Ordinary Men Read more...

Listings - The Welly Club - What's On March and April 2007
	Check the Full Listing..Buy your tickets securely online by credit or debit card using PayPal Thursday 8th March - £3 Online - 10pm to 3am ClubNME presents Opera House Friday 9th March - £8 Online - 10.30pm to 3am Lets Ave It presents Mark - EG, Kevin Eneregy, Adam - Lab4 Saturday 10th March - £9 Online - 10.30pm Read more...

Listings - The Sesh at The Linnet and Lark - What's on January to May 2007
	Coming Up at The Sesh every Tuesday night at The Linnet and Lark ... 9th January Red Night Strip, The Headliners (Sheffield) and Clubland 16th January Park & Ride, Jokerz and The Maker 23rd January Freaks Union and Roll Call For The Second Site 30th January Clauberg Opera, Analogue Consumption Read more...

Listings - Chewing Gum At Revolution In Hull
	Revolution has just launched a new night - Chewing Gum, every Monday night. Playing some of the finest Pop, Electro and Indie. With free entry all night, a 2am licence and cocktails buy one get one free, why go anywhere else? www.myspace.com/chewinggumhull. chewinggum.so-addictive.co.uk. Read more...

Listings - Jelly at The Welly - will be hosting ClubNME
	Every Thursday from now till the end of the world ... And from 21st September 2006 Jelly will be hosting ClubNME ... with millions of bands coming through Playing Bloc Party, The Clash, The Bravery, Kings of Leon, The Rolling Stones, Gorrilaz, The Futureheads, Black Wire, Weezer, The Paddingtons, Hot Hot Heat, LCD Soundsystem, The Libertines, Read more...