PPE: Politics, Philosophy, Enjoyment
We always meet on the third Tuesday of the month at The Commercial, Slaithwaite, starting at about 8.00pm.
We ran a very succesful ‘Colne Valley Festival of Ideas’ between October 20th and 26th, covering everywhere from Marsden to Milnsbridge, with events and discussions art a wide range of venues. Let us know if you’re interested in helping with a similar event in 2013! Email victoria.minton@gmail.com
The Free University of Slawit is an informal pub discussion group, with an emphasis on politics and philosophy. It happens on the third Tuesday of each month, starting 20.00 in The Commercial pub, Slaithwaite, usually in the upstairs room.
There is no ‘expert’ speaker – the discussion is friendly and informal. And it is ‘free’ – apart from having to buy the excellent beer.
Previous sessions have included discussions on the future of the NHS, the royal family, democracy and voting systems, and freedom (whether we are or not) and ‘should we have an English parliament?’. Our biggest turn-out was in February when over 40 came along to talk about the Luddites. We decided they were probably right after all.
We organised a day out to the People’s History Museum in Manchester last year, on Tuesday August 16th (anniversary of the Peterloo Massacre).
The day went really well, with lots of time to look round both the People’s History Museum and Chetham’s Library, a real treat! Here’s a picture of us about to set off from Slawit International Parkway Hub

Posts
grrrr – why can’t I find a link to the general ‘politics in pubs’ website from here…but is is only a gentle grrr after a v frustrating evening
July 12, 2011 @ 12:21 am
yes, need to be more organised! having an hour sorting these things out tomorrow, hopefully
July 12, 2011 @ 8:21 am
or is it the Philosophy in Pubs?
http://www.philosophyinpubs.org.uk
September 4, 2011 @ 3:00 pm
[...] the University’s website: The Free University of Slawit is an informal pub discussion group, with an emphasis on politics [...]
January 4, 2012 @ 4:41 pm
I take it that is Tuesday 21st Feb for Luddite Meeting.
January 7, 2012 @ 6:21 pm
Yes, apologies for mistake – it has been corrected!
January 9, 2012 @ 10:45 am
Hello Simon
Looks like Fishguard and Goodwick station may re-open, which would serve the town
January 9, 2012 @ 10:46 am
[...] Colne valley in Slaithwaite, pronounced Slawit, and there runs the Slawit Review of Books and the Free University of Slawit, which meets in a pub and discusses topics such as “Were the Luddites right?” (They got [...]
March 3, 2012 @ 9:04 am
[...] Colne valley in Slaithwaite, pronounced Slawit, and there runs the Slawit Review of Books and the Free University of Slawit, which meets in a pub and discusses topics such as “Were the Luddites right?” (They got [...]
March 4, 2012 @ 2:15 pm
Hi
I went to the University of Slawit meeting last month and put my email address down to be on the mailing list but haven’t heard anything!
Is there another way to get on the mailing list please?
Thank you
Jess
March 23, 2012 @ 10:17 am
You’re on now,…cheers
Paul
April 1, 2012 @ 12:04 pm
Could you put me on the email list too please. Ta
April 22, 2012 @ 11:41 pm
yup
April 29, 2012 @ 8:43 pm