Emily Benn, the
granddaughter of former parliamentarian and campaigner Tony Benn, has agreed to
speak at November’s Glasgow celebration of the politician’s life, organisers
have announced.
She will speak as part
of the major concert organised for 30 November. the culminating event in a day
also involving a spoken word event, and series of workshops, all in Glasgow's
Royal Concert Hall.
Neil
Findlay MSP from the organising committee welcomed her
commitment, and said "It was always important to the organisers that the
Benn family supported this event. We are delighted to have that support, and
especially delighted that Emily is able to be present."
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| Emily Benn |
Emily
Benn said "I am really pleased to be able to attend
and say a few words about my grandfather. A proud half-Scotsman, he loved
attending public meetings across the country, I know the public support meant a
great deal to him. I'm looking forward to coming to Glasgow to pay tribute to
him."
Emily Benn daughter of Tony's eldest son
Stephen, works in the City of London and is a Labour councillor in the London
Borough of Croydon. She was recently selected as the Labour Prospective
Parliamentary Candidate for Croydon South in the forthcoming Westminster
Elections.
The event to celebrate the life and work of Tony Benn is being sponsored by four main Scottish Trade Unions - Aslef, GMB, UNISON and Unite the union and also supported by PCS. It involves a number of workshops, a spoken word event, and a major concert organised by FairPley.
The event to celebrate the life and work of Tony Benn is being sponsored by four main Scottish Trade Unions - Aslef, GMB, UNISON and Unite the union and also supported by PCS. It involves a number of workshops, a spoken word event, and a major concert organised by FairPley.
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| Rab Noakes |
The concert is
being curated by singer-songwriter, Rab Noakes, and will also star Chris
Difford of Squeeze, folk legend Roy Bailey, Karen Matheson and Donald Shaw of
Capercailie, James Grant, Political song doyen Arthur Johnstone, Alastair
McDonald and Sheena Wellington. In addition a new voice is NRNXPO's Qyeen - adding hip hop to the mix. It'll be compered by Susan Morrrison and Dave Anderson
The Spoken Word event (separate ticket or as part of a 'day ticket') is compered by Bruce Morton, and currently features Tom Leonard, Juliet Cadzow, and the impressively named performance poet, Elvis McGonagall.
Workshops will also be available to discuss topics close to Tony's heart. Not finally fixed, but likely to include, folk music and peace campaigning amongst others.
Tickets for these events are available from the GRCH box office on 0141 353 8000 or http://www.glasgowconcerthalls.com/events/tony-benn-a-celebration-concert/
