1. Cardiff UCU Lunchtime Talks and Discussions – Thursdays 1:10-2pm
Next week we will have Professor Lina Dencik talking to us about ‘Unions in the Datafied Workplace: Covid-19 and Beyond’ – Thursday February 11 13:10-14:00
https://cardiff.zoom.us/j/85200186810?pwd=RmpFVno0UCtrQTk4c21aazJtK096dz09
2. Wales green transitions network event – Friday 26 February 2021 at 14:00
Timed to closely follow the 10th February launch of Wales TUC’s ‘greener workplaces for a just transition’ toolkit, whether you teach in a college or university setting, this event will give you the opportunity to explore how you can root a just transitions agenda in the workplace. Please join by clicking the link on this page.
3. Annual adult & continuing education national meeting – Saturday 27 February 2021
This meeting is for branch delegates from UCU branches working in adult and community education and employed in local authorities or the voluntary sector. Each branch may send 2 voting delegates which can be elected by a quorate general meeting or by a quorate branch committee meeting. If you are interested in being a delegate for this meeting, please contact the UCU office
More information can be found here.
4. Happy Imbolc
Imbolc (pronounced “EE-molc) is a Gaelic traditional fire festival held on 1st February and one of the 8 Sabbats or seasonal points on the Wheel of the Year (the annual cycle of seasonal festivals, observed by many modern Pagans). The meaning of Imbolc, Imbolg, or Oimealg is “Ewe’s Milk” and celebrates a time when life is returning to the fields as livestock begin to give birth.
Imbolc welcomes the return of the sun and marks the changing of the Goddess from Wise old Crone to Fair Maiden. It is a time of new beginnings and of hope that spring will return.
There are also several other names and festivals associated with this time of year. In Ireland, February 1st is the Feast Day of Saint Brighid (pronounced “Breed”) – the Celtic Fire Goddess of healing and inspiration.
In the Christian faith, it’s Candlemas – the Festival of Lights, where candles are blessed for the coming year. Like many of the Christian festivals it has echoes of its Pagan past, in that it marks the halfway point between the Winter Solstice (Yule) and the Spring Equinox (Ostara).