(Almost) every day from Friday 11th to Thursday 24th February, a post (sometimes two) will appear on this site, to celebrate the Republic of Newtonia – a brief occupation of a site in Hulme in defence of Abbey Pond (near the Old Abbey Taphouse). In 1994, local people and environmental activists tried to stop the Council and the Science Park from filling in the much-loved pond. If you were there, and want to share your memories (and any photos or other material) please do get in touch via mcmonthly@manchesterclimatemonthly or on Twitter – @mcr_climate

Also, on Thurs 24th, the 28th anniversary of the Pond’s destruction, there is an online meeting, from 7.30pm, bringing together people who were at the Republic of Newtonia with campaigners defending green spaces now. You can book here (it’s free).

The camp had almost run its course (though the precise date for the eviction was of course not known). Relationships forged, trust built. This was not the end of the attempt to speak both truth to and more importantly about power. But there will be time for these sorts of reflections on Thursday night.

For now, one of those “mundane” items that so often are not recorded, either for lack of the existence of the artifact, or respect for its significance. A postcard (and remember, this is pre-internet times) from Madrid, from a supporter of the camp, delivered to that red letterbox the campers had put up (in homage to the M11 campaign).

Of such things are morale and friendship built…