Welcome

Equity has a vital network of branches throughout the UK which give members a voice in the union and much more. Branches hold regular meetings in their local area and all members and student members are invited to attend these to share views and experiences, discuss issues that are of importance to them and put proposals to Equity's ruling body - the Equity Council. Branches also organise a programme of social events and raise money for local charities.

If you are an Equity member or student member based in the area you are able to join the branch (no charge) so please get in touch with the Branch Secretary. If you are a member or student member visiting the area you are very welcome to drop into the next branch meeting and get to know some of your fellow members.

JULY'S MEETING

The next branch meeting will be held on Tuesday July 13th at 7:30pm in the Macready Room at the Bristol Old Vic.

QUESTIONS FOR GUEST SPEAKERS

In order for members to have the option of anonymity when posing questions, we invite questions from branch members via email which will be given anonymously to the guest speaker.

Please email your questions to equity.bristolwestgen@googlemail.com.

BRANCH MEETINGS

The Bristol and West General Branch meet every second Tuesday of the month at
THE BRISTOL OLD VIC, KINGS STREET, BRISTOL BS1 4DZ at 7:30pm.
These meetings usually take place in the Macready Room on the second floor. Other rooms are occasionally used and will be advertised accordingly. Please note that you may have to sign in at reception in the main foyer.
Click here to find the Bristol Old Vic on googlemaps.

FORTHCOMING MEETINGS, LOCATION AND GUEST SPEAKERS (if applicable)

July 13th - Bristol Old Vic Macready Room
August 10th - Bristol Old Vic Macready Room
September 14th - Bristol Old Vic Macready Room
October 12th - Bristol Old Vic Macready Room
November 9th - Bristol Old Vic Macready Room


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SOUTH-WEST NEWSLETTER

The branch will be contributing to the newsletter from now on, so if you have any ideas or suggestions for content then please e-mail us or talk to one of the committee at the next branch meeting.

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MANIFESTO FOR THEATRE

The Bristol and West branch was proud to hold the first meeting of Equity's nationwide consultation with members to build a “Manifesto for Theatre”; a coherent and coordinated response that represents members across the whole country.

More information can be found at www.manifestofortheatre.co.uk

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SAY 'NO' TO UP-FRONT AGENCY FEES

In 2008 our motion to the Equity ARC was:
“The incidence of walk-on agents charging annual fees for ‘administration’ appears to be growing. Both main agents in the Bristol and Bath area now do this and deduct the fee automatically from the first job that the artist gets in any year. We understand that this practice in not unlawful but is surely an up-front fee by any other name. Therefore this ARC urges Equity to continue to persuade Government to legislate against this practice. All such fees should be paid for from commission earned by the agency and in no other way.”

This was agreed unanimously by the ARC and it is because of the e-mails and comments from branch members that we are continuing to campaign against these fees.

Please see the Branch News page for news on this ongoing branch campaign.

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KEEP CASUALTY IN BRISTOL

The BBC has confirmed in a press anouncement on 26 March 2009 that Casualty will definitely move from Bristol to Cardiff by 2011. The news was met with shock by members of the Bristol and West General Branch of Equity who had been campaigning since May 2008 to keep the production in Bristol.

Casualty has been filmed in the city since 1986 and pumps £24.7 million a year into the local economy.

A full summary of the campaign can be found by clicking here.

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The branch will be scheduling a number of Actors Centre courses in the coming months. For details please attend meetings and check your branch minutes.

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Further information about our meetings will be sent out via the minutes, which go out monthly but to receive them, you need to be on the branch register.

We look forward to seeing you at future meetings.

Branch Secretary Rachael Fagan can be contacted on 07941 320 855 or equity.bristolwestgen@googlemail.com

If you wish to register with the branch, or if you'd like to receive minutes electronically instead of through the postal service (thus saving trees and union funds), please e-mail us and let us know.

You can find the branch on Facebook by clicking here

Information on the branch can also be found at Theatre Bristol

If there's anything you'd like to see on this site, or any issue that you feel should be raised at the next meeting then please don't hesitate to give us your ideas!