Easy read version
10th Anniversary Special
Camerados Movement Magazine
It’s fresher than your grandma’s memes.
Now, with 90% more facial hair.
12 pages.
News.
Stories.
Puzzles.
Creative Camerados
Public Living Room spotlight
Find out what’s happening in Public Living Rooms around the world.
Totally fuelled by tea, good company and whatever the heck this is.
Camerados is 10 years old
A few words from the editor.
Hello Camerados. We can’t believe it’s been 10 years already. Looking back, it’s been one heck of a ride. Over the years, we’ve been mistaken for the AA, been accused of fly-tipping and selling furniture, had our stuff pinched, been laughed at, screamed at, complained about, and abducted by aliens. (OK, so we made that one up.) But compare that to the present — Camerados around the world have created almost 459 Public Living Rooms in six different countries. So, we can honestly say it was worth all of it. We hope you enjoy the 10-year anniversary special.
Read on.
It’s been one heck of a ride.
News.
Join us for a celebration across continents.
Mark your calendars for the week of June 23rd. Camerados is turning 10. Join us for a global birthday bash across Public Living Rooms everywhere.
Yes, communities gather to celebrate with fun activities, delicious treats and tonnes of laughter. Whether it’s a cosy tea party or a lively event, everyone’s invited to help us celebrate.
10 challenges and a crowdfunder.
Folk in the movement have already begun our challenges and started to raise £10 a month for 10 months, so that more communities are able to have the resources to start their own Public Living Room — to help folk get through tough times. The Camerados in Lochgilphead have come up with a fab way to support our crowdfunding in their Public Living Room. For just £1, you can make your own lovely biscuit coasters using clay and paint. They can’t be dunked, but they definitely look good enough to eat.
Here are some they made earlier in true Blue Peter fashion.
Gary was one of the very first Camerados 10 years ago, and here he is still thinking about us and posting his 10 from Blackpool. Amazing.
The world can be a tough place. Let’s have some fun.
Ten months. 10 challenges.
- Make a #10 out of random things.
- June. Throw a 10th birthday party in your Public Living Room.
- July. Do the TEN TO TEN obstacle course.
- August. Dance ridiculously for 10 seconds to your favourite song.
- September. Draw 10 Camerado C’s in places around your town using chalk.
- October. Drink 10 cups of tea without having a wee.
- December. Ask 10 people to create something to make your living room cosy.
- January. Tell 10 folk about your Public Living Room.
- February. Make a Camerados time capsule and open it in 2035.
Can you drink 10 cups of tea with no weeing?
Can you drink 10 cups of tea with no weeing? Are you a hobby horse rider? Extraordinary?
Over the next 10 months, join the shenanigans by completing the challenge for that month in your Public Living Room, at work, school, or even with your ‘neighhhhh’bours.
Yes, that’s a lame hobby horse reference.
Send us photos of your capers or tag us in them on social media using this: #CameradosIs10.
The challenge for May was to create a #10 using random objects. Here’s what Camerados around the world have come up with.
Boston.
What a blooming, marvellous way to celebrate 10 years of the Camerados movement.
The folk in Boston got creative with our May challenge by planting a beautiful flower display in the shape of the number 10.
10 years of Camerados.
2015.
After 20 years of working in institutions, we needed something different. A new social movement, Camerados, emerged.
The first Public Living Room opens in an undertaker’s garage.
Kisha read about us in the Washington Post and set up in Baltimore.
The first Camerados movement campfire.
We sent boxes out to the first 12 communities. They were made of wood. DOH!
2018.
A Public Living Room opens in a university.
Teepees in hospitals are used by 130,000 people, mostly staff.
The new Public Living Room box is not made of wood. You think?
Domes in hospitals.
The pandemic closes all Public Living Rooms and then Spoon Room is created.
Folk all around the world use Spoon Room from Hackney to Hawaii.
Bit of company. Tonnes was going on in the pandemic — YouTube shows, live events and parties.
The global online community kept Camerados going.
Camerados in schools.
Camerados on the streets. We got together again in person.
Murals. Pavement Public Living Rooms, raising awareness, though not entirely legal.
200 Public Living Rooms.
Mug-A-Zine launched.
Dunk Off campaign 2024.
Campfire gathering of Camerados from all over the globe.
250th Public Living Room.
Where next? That’s up to you.
Mystic mugs, Lame predictions.
What do the tea leaves say for your season?
Spring Assam.
Sassy Assam is with their fancy mugs and hips, the biscuits often of a ginger variety. These folk are quite vocal that a fig roll is not a biscuit. They are correct. This month, if you rub your teapot 3 times and make three wishes, none of them will come true. It sucks to be you.
Summer Darjeeling.
These are the darlings of the movement, often seen in Waitrose. These folks have their tea served on the rocks while lying on a chaise longue. This month, your tea of choice will go out of stock. You will be forced to drink a well-known supermarket’s budget brand, swept from the factory floor. Loose-leaf tea. It may contain traces of humiliTEA.
Autumn Matcha.
And whimsy. These folk peel the orange, offer Jaffa cakes like some kind of weird ritual, and hold it up to see if it matches the sun. This month, love is on the horizon — for somebody else. The person sitting opposite you in the Public Living Room has been photoshopping your Facebook profile pictures into their family photos. What a freak. Call the police.
Winter Earl Grey.
Dark, daring and slightly bitter. That’ll be the slice of lemon. Windswept and mysterious with a hint of Musk. This month, someone will attempt to sugar your tea and overly dunk a custard cream in your brew. Embrace it — and the crumbs. Life is too short.
Public Living Room spotlight.
In Burnley.
The Folk in the Shed visited the Public Living Room in downtown Burnley today and had a brew with these three lovely ladies. They chatted about many things, including tattoos, piercings, kids taking dance classes, and how police officers look 12 years old.
In Stonehaven.
There’s plenty of chatter and laughter in the Stonehaven Public Living Room during the girls’ night. The ladies enjoyed their mocktail night, and the two hours flew by as they made healthy mocktails for each other. They experimented with brand-new recipes, including a cucumber spritzer and oolong tea. Yum!
In Essex.
The Camerados in Brightlingsea, Essex, held a pop-up Public Living Room in the library on March 25th. They had lots of tea, cake, biscuits and laughs. They also chatted over some of the local history books about times gone by in Brightlingsea. All had a lovely afternoon, and they hope to have another one in the outside area in the summer.
In Rotherham.
We had the privilege of visiting Coleridge Primary School recently. And wow, these kids get it. The pupils and staff are all fantastic Camerados. We left so inspired.
In Aldingbourne.
Another pot of tea and a good book — like the Camerados folk in Aldingbourne, who recently had a Book of the Year celebration in their Public Living Room. They couldn’t resist sharing the work of Sean Kelly this time, who even came to visit them. What a delightful way to bring folk together.
In Tucson, Arizona.
The Folk and Tucks in Arizona were excited to start welcoming folk into their Public Living Room at the historic Wise Lobby recently. What’s that we can see? An array of moustache-wearing Camerados. The fun never stops in our movement.
In Lincoln.
There is a fantastic mix of folk at Lincoln Public Living Room. The Camerados here range from newborn babies to 18-year-olds. There are Muslims, Hindus and Christians all side by side. Did you know that there are 18 nationalities represented? Romanian, Egyptian, Hong Kong, Turkish, Spanish, Iranian, Venezuelan, Mexican, Ecuadorian, Bulgarian, Russian, Moroccan, Korean, Tunisian, Ukrainian, Italian and white British. Wow.
In Somerset.
Camerados in Weston-super-Mare got together this year to celebrate the Persian New Year. They shared Haft Mewa (7 fruits) with their community — a delicious and symbolic traditional dish — along with some flowering plants. Everyone joined in to welcome Spring and embrace the values of many cultures. One community. What you’re doing is fabulous.
In Rochdale.
The wonderful Camerados in Rochdale hold a women’s lab every Thursday in their Public Living Room. It’s a relaxed space for women to come together, share ideas and enjoy a good chat. Whether they’re discussing everyday life or exploring new ideas together, the atmosphere is one of mutual support and enjoyment of each other’s company.
What’s the tea?
Cumnock Public Living Room.
If any group of folk know how to have a good time, it’s Cumnock. These incredible Camerados have been busy with many goings-on in their Public Living Room — from fun archery to art to film nights. They’ve even got a brand new patchwork sofa. Doesn’t it look fabulous?
Lights, Camerados, Action.
Rodos Action. What an amazing way to look out for each other. The Camerados in Cumnock recently had a movie night in their Public Living Room. They all sank into their brand new sofa and comfy chairs to enjoy a fabulous film with tea and mountains of popcorn. There is nothing like a good film to bring folk together. Stay tuned for their next screening.
Moustaches.
Now, we think this might be the folk in Cumnock. But honestly, who can say for sure? These moustachioed mystery-makers are popping up everywhere.
Art.
We’ve decorated this page with some fabulous artwork created in the Cumnock Public Living Room.
Crikey, it’s the creative Camerados.
Folk love getting crafty and creative in Aldingbourne Public Living Room, and the talent on show is no joke. One of the ladies even crocheted a dog for her friend. It was pawsitively brilliant. Who knew wool could wolf?
More talent on display.
The lovely ladies at the Platform One Public Living Room crafted these beautiful matching throws and cushion covers. There’s nothing like a burst of colour and a bit of company to brighten up your space. Is there?
Folk have been having lots of fun in our Mighty Networks. They’ve been creating blackout poems. Lisa from Virginia recently gave everyone a prompt. The theme was:
Human connection means…
Secret world.
Social.
Can help.
I committed.
Strange.
One reason.
It gives.
Without burdening.
Allow exchange.
Is life.
Camerados in Argyle have been getting creative in their Public Living Room with a fun Easter session. They began by painting Easter bunnies and ended up creating beautiful spring flowers. They said it was lovely just to be together, experiment with watercolours and enjoy the process without any pressure. How relaxing that must have been.
There ain’t no party like a Camerados party.
Camerados all over the country think of all kinds of ways to get together and look out for each other. Do you have any ideas or something planned? Folk in the movement love being inspired by other Camerados, so let us know and we can share your stories with folk all over the world.
Easter shenanigans.
We hope you enjoyed your Easter. Nobody sent us any eggs. We were expecting an array of chocolate-filled treats through the post.
Nil.
Nothing.
Nada.
It’s a good job we have biscuits, or we might not have the energy to make any more Zines.
Just kidding…
We would be jealous… but there isn’t an egg in sight here, as the movement has found other ways to enjoy Easter.
No, this isn’t the annual general meeting of the Somerset Bonkers Hats Association.
Although it wouldn’t surprise us if that were a thing. Looking at these hilarious headpieces, even the judge couldn’t control his laughter when giving out the prizes.
Looks like somebody didn’t win.
We love silliness, so you’ll get a big Camerados applause from us.
Honey Hope Farm open day.
A little lamb joined the family on the morning of the Honey Hope Farm open day in Derbyshire.
Here’s the rest of the flock outside their cabin. Public Living Room making a Camerado see backwards.
They even mix the chickens and ducks in the same pen, which is unfortunate, as ducks love scoffing chicken eggs.
And they had a feast.
The principle? You should be mixed with folk who aren’t like you.
Earth Day.
There’s nothing like getting a bit sweaty in the sun. The folk across the pond are absolutely Boston to have a party.
They celebrated Earth Day by swinging their hips in their Public Living Room.
They reminded us that looking after our Earth doesn’t just mean being green and eco — it’s about looking out for each other.
We only have one Earth, and the people on it.
Oh, crumbs.
Who’s eating all the biscuits?
It’s Camerados co-founder Jenny Fox.
Wassup, Nobber.
What was your first ever email address? and do you regret it?
What? You mean you can change your email address??!! Im such a Luddite, I’ve still got my first hotmail email … I’m so loyal!!
If your life were a sitcom, what would it be called and what would the theme song be?
Vanning with my Daughter (inspired by How I met Your Mother)
Song … UH-OH We’re in Trouble by Shampoo
Who was your most embarrassing celeb crush growing up?
Les McKeown (lead singer of Bay City Rollers)
If you could only wear socks with one novelty print for life, what would be on them and why?
A repeated slice of cheddar, Andy Warhol style. Do I have to explain why?
You’ve been turned into a fridge magnet. What quote is written under your face?
Wassup Nobber?
If you had to describe yourself using only emojis, which three would you pick?
🍰💃🏼🤸
Camera dogs.
Buddy Beagle, the ultimate photobomber, is 12 years old and can’t resist chasing squirrels in the garden. He’s from Blackburn, where he hangs out with his human, Cath.
Cath is a wild swimming enthusiast, often taking spontaneous dips in chilly lakes and rivers.
However, Buddy is not a fan of water at all — preferring a leisurely stroll.
Invitation page
You are cordially invited…
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