This new group will be run by John Astley who has a wealth of experience lecturing and teaching in the arts about social change. The group will meet at the Committee room at Exmouth Town Hall once a month to have lively debates and discussions about post World War culture and philosophy. 

The dates proposed are:

Tuesday 12th January from 11.00am to 12.30pm
Tuesday 9th February from 11.00am to 12.30pm
Tuesday 9th March from 11.00am to 12.30pm
Tuesday 13th April from 11.00am to 12.30pm
Tuesday 11th May from 11.00am to 12.30pm
Tuesday 8th June from 11.00am to 12.30pm

Places are limited to 12 members and there will be a small charge to cover room hire of £12 for the first 6 meetings. Please reply to this email if you would like to join the group. 

Below is what John has put together as an introduction to the group. 

One of the key issues to emerge in the 1950s which had a profound influence on the next two decades, was the throwing off of pre and post-war conventions, hierarchies and restrictions on freedom of expression.

Often an individualised process, it was also about ‘the collective’, the social domain, and taking personal responsibility for change. The post 1945 Labour Government was offering the people of this tired and war-torn country, a new ‘settlement’, a coming together attitude that invited response and action. There were plenty of responses! As one author from the north of England famously said, ‘Insulted, I had to write.’, insulted by being ignored or patronised.

Being an agent of change was high on people’s agenda. The Arts and other aspects of everyday life were sparked and ignited. Increasing numbers of creative people were in a struggle against the view, held in many parts of post-war Britain then, that the control of creativity and opportunity should remain dominated by of the social class of a London based Establishment, including the Arts Council.

The changes that I wish to discuss are all linked to the burning desire of many and varied people to offer up alternative voices; different, fresh and refreshing accounts of an authentic everyday life and culture. One important aspect of this creative broadening is to consider the actual conditions of production, for all arts practice. What conditions are necessary in everyday life for creativity and expression to flourish?