Liberty Festival in Stroud Saturday 15th September

The Stroud and District Access Group are putting on what could be the first Liberty Festival outside London. It is all about disability awareness and rights....'Deaf Diva' Caroline Parker who performed at the opening ceremony of the Paralympics will be here in Stroud to perform. There is also a host of other activities planned including storytelling, Cotswold Chef Rob Rees, wheelchair dance, films with one introduced by Glos Voices and another made with police on Disability Hate Crime, a BSL workshop, a participatory photography event plus there will be BSL interpreters available on the day.

This is great that Stroud is leading the way on this - raising awareness about disability. The Festival comes after the Paralympics and a couple of Stroud demos about the cuts to disability benefits and Atmos - see here.

It is of course Eco-Renovation Open Homes weekend (see this years homes here) but take time out for that to go along to the Sub Rooms.

The history to 'Liberty' is that it began in 2002 with a commitment by the Mayor of London to stage a festival for the European Year of Disabled People. The first Liberty Festival took place on 7 September 2003 and was from the beginning planned in partnership with organisations led by disabled and Deaf people. Back then Trafalgar Square was chosen as the venue and led to significant improvements in access arrangements.

In 2007, Liberty took a new direction with the inclusion of creative zones each curated by Deaf and disabled artists. The zones included Music and Dance; Carnival; Aerial and Circus; Street Arts; Visual Arts and Film; Cabaret and Comedy and a Children's Area. This was a huge undertaking with many hundreds of artists and more - it was also a huge success.....well now Stroud's version of Liberty is set to roll on Saturday 15th September. Don't miss!!