Time to talk – A Speakers Corner in Totnes?
Here’s an idea – and we want to hear what you think of it…
Totnes is spirited place and just busting with ideas, views, opinions and artistic endeavour. So how about we get together and dig into this?
The tired Market Square by the Civic Hall is perfectly placed to assemble people, perhaps on a Sunday morning to host a Speakers Corner event. It could be once a month.
We could have a podium for people to speak publically for alloted periods of time and the cafe’s around could take advantage of the influx (haha maybe) of visitors and locals. We could invite buskers and subjects could be opinions, poetry, local matters and even storytelling. We could put up edited highlights on our You Tube channel perhaps.
This is an idea proposed, most recently by Mike Cast and previously others and has the support of local councillor John Birch and they have suggested that the Totnes Pulse would be a good umbrella to cover it. As the editor, I agree the idea is very interesting and could progress the communication in town whilst creating an interesting buzz in an otherwise dull few hours in the area. I can’t help notice the forlorn look the High Street has on a Sunday morning with bewildered tourists strolling about wondering what the Totnes hype is all about!
Why?
Why the hell not? Well, there are some barriers such as needing to get permission from South Hams District Council and they’re going to want all sorts of assurances, laying down obstacles and hurdles to jump over like ensuring the town doesn’t riot or spontaneously sue for damages on account of tripping hazards or hurt feelings. Also in the spirit of free speech, where do we draw lines, or do we draw lines at all? I guess overt profanity would be discouraged and do we rely on Delphinis Gelato Shop to provide free milkshakes to deter the insane ramblings of Carl Benjamin/Sargon of Akkad types.
Are we doing this?
So it would be good to know what you think of the idea before expending time, money and energy on an idea that everybody loves/nobody wants!
So comment here and say what you think of this idea.. Is Sunday morning the right time? What do you think the rules should be? What else could happen?
I really like this idea. I’m sure there are concerns about the possibility of some hate speech, but it is totally for listeners to decide if they want to stay.
For those who enjoy aa regular soapbox – not a bad idea.
For those who don’t this would be intensely irritating and selfish.
How about once quarter?!
Great idea! Others are worried about how to manage the type of content – but perhaps we can be totally open to anyone and decide ourselves who to listen to or who to future-ban if it’s nothing but hate speech? There could be guidelines of course – would Totnes Pulse be the admin for this?
Would speakers be vetted and who would do the vetting? i have a feeling politics and free business promotion might be popular otherwise….
I think a weekday for a speakers corner would be preferable, plenty of people in town but no market. Wednesday when around 80 people are in the civic square going to lunchtime choir? But there would need to be some kind of limit to what’s allowed to prevent bad feelings arising.
Great idea as long as those present respect the opinions of others, hopefully making it a positive and happy gathering.
Here here- I agree with Peter. It is a fantastic idea.. Start as soon as possible