The Sumac Centre is an Associate Member of Radical Routes, the UK-wide network of Housing Co-ops, Worker co-ops and Social Centres working for positive social change.
Members meet at quarterly Gatherings, generally on the 2nd weekend of February, May, August and November, listed on Veggies website, (also Associate Members and sometime gathering caterers).
We are pleased to announce that we are hosting the second Total Liberation Gathering on 26th-28th June at the Sumac Centre in Nottingham.
Total Liberation Gathering Shedule
The event is coordinated by the Total Liberation Collective (info on Instagram).
The aim is for animal liberationists to connect with other struggles and strengthen solidarity between movements. We want to encourage collaboration, sharing resources and creativity.
This will be an opportunity for us to reimagine how the world could be. We will embody anti-hierarchy, active participation and collective care.
Our shared vision is to be as inclusive as possible, with anti racism, anti ableism and anti-speciesism at the heart of the project.
Here’s a form to register interest, needs & offers for this year, to help create a liberating educational space.
https://app.formbricks.com/s/eia4sutkztj8m6365551x812
The catering will be provided by Veggies Catering Campaign, the UK’s longest established 100% vegan campaign caterers.
The Undercover Policing Inquiry returned on Monday 15th June 2026 for another block of public hearings: Tranche 3 Phase 3. Roughly eight weeks of hearings – 24 police managers, and one activist. See the preview here:
https://ko-fi.com/post/Preview-of-the-last-of-the-SDS-managers-W1Q72010FG
On Friday 19th and Wednesday 24th June (PM), there will be something different. Instead of a cop, we’ll hear from the activist Helen Steel. Continue reading
Interested in Cooperatives?
Interested in working for radical positive social change?
Radical Routes is a network of radical housing co-ops, workers co-ops and social centres. Their members are committed to working for positive social change.
Social Centres, such as Sumac Centre, have a strong past history of mutual support with Radical Routes but, for reasons to be explored on Friday, all have fallen aside. Sumac Centre is keen to rejoin Radical Routes to strengthen this bond, and maybe build a bridge with the Social Centres Network.
This presentation by them to us may be followed by a presentation by us to them at the 15-17th May Radical Routes Gathering, with Sumac Centre potentially joining in August.
If this interests you, join us at Sumac on Friday 27th March . Lunch at 1pm, presentation from 1.30pm.
We continue to follow the ‘Undercover Policing Inquiry’ throughout its proceedings. You can follow too, via the links further below.
W e are starting to hear mention of ‘Rod Richardson’, the first we know to be deployed to the Sumac Centre in Nottingham, and his follow-up Mark ‘Stone’/Kennedy.
Events reported on that we supported included DSEi Arms Fair 2001 & 2003, MayDay protests, Earth First (EF!) Gatherings in N.Wales & N.Yorkshire, GM Crop decontaminations & more, including the 2005 G8 campaign at Gleneagles in Scotland & Dissent network at Stirling, where we built on the EF! camp skills later deployed at Climate Camps (& later XR). More via social.coop/@Veggies
Since 1968 police targeted a wide range of social justice and human rights campaigns. Rights were violated and lives destroyed. In 2003 these secret political police infiltrated a group of idealistic young environmental activists in Nottingham, forming sexual relationships and spying without warrant on hundreds of innocent civilians.
This scandal, dubbed ‘#Spycops’‘, is now the subject of one of the UK’s longest, deepest, most extensive and expensive ‘public’ inquiries.
During Tranche 3, Phase 2, Day 22, March 23rd we heard from life-long campaigner Emily Apple, currently working with Campaign Against the Arms Trade. Watch preview here.
This is followed Tues-Thurs by HN18 “Robert Harrison” aka Robert Hastings who spied on Palestine solidarity and others. For more details that series of hearings listen to ‘Alison’ on Woman’s Hour and see this summary from The Canary.
The Inquiry is now on break until 15th June. The schedule for ‘Tranche 4’ featuring Spycops managers will be posted at THIS NEW EVENT LISTING when available.
Like us you can follow these platforms:
Subject to availability we will sometimes follow live at Sumac Screen Room. For times of our coverage, check our commentary on Social.coop/(Mastodon). Also Veggies on Bluesky, here and ‘bridged’ here.
In phase 1 we heard 26 witnesses give oral evidence, including 3 Special Demonstration Squad (SDS) officers deployed during the period between approximately 1993 to 2007 and 2 former SDS managers. The Inquiry also heard from 21 non-state witnesses who represent groups that were infiltrated and women who were deceived.
During the course of these hearings, the Inquiry will hear evidence on topics related to undercover policing including:
On Tues 16th December 2025 (day-30) we were joined for live analysis here at Sumac Centre by Kate Wilson. to follow the evidence of Mark Jenner aka ‘Mark Cassidy’, who infiltrated anti fascist groups & Colin Roach Centre between 1995 and 2000.
In claiming that the Home Office put new codes and safeguards in place in 2000 to shift responsibility for the abuses that happened before, are they admitting that they _were_ resposible for the breaches of those ‘standards’ by those that followed, eg Kennedy et al https://t.co/isdzwZVJni
— Veggies 🌱 Vegan Campaign Catering 💙 🌱 (@veggiesnottm) October 13, 2025
See also DISCLOSURE: Unravelling the Spycops.
Kate Wilson’s memoir is a shocking exposé about the workings of Britain’s secret police. Much of the activity documented by Kate took place at Nottingham’s Sumac Centre. We were delighted that Kate joined us here on Sunday 1st June 2025, to tell her story and launch her book (which is available from Veggies online shop).
The new 3-part ITV documentary series ‘The Undercover Police Scandal: Love and Lies Exposed’ premiered on Thursday 6 March at 9pm, with screenings at Sumac Screen Room.
From the moment ‘Lisa’ discovers Mark Kennedy’s passport, the #spycops scandal starts to unravel.
See also spycops-undercover-policing-inquiry-2026 on the Animal Rights Calendar.
Hearings will take a break after Wednesday 17 December until February. See full schedule here.
Follow #spycops inquiry via the links below.
Since 1968 police targeted a wide range of social justice and human rights campaigns. Rights were violated and lives destroyed. In 2003 these secret political police infiltrated a group of idealistic young environmental activists in Nottingham, forming sexual relationships and spying without warrant on hundreds of innocent civilians.
This scandal, dubbed ‘#Spycops’‘, is now the subject of one of the UK’s longest, deepest, most extensive and expensive ‘public’ inquiries.
We will continue to follow the ‘Undercover Policing Inquiry’ throughout its proceedings, at the Sumac Centre in Nottingham.
Hearings will take a break after Thursday 18 December until February. See full schedule here.
For times of our coverage, check our commentary on Social.coop/(Mastodon). Also Veggies on Bluesky, here and ‘bridged’ here.
Like us you can also follow these platforms:
In this phase, 26 witnesses are currently due to give oral evidence. The Inquiry will hear evidence from 3 Special Demonstration Squad (SDS) officers deployed during the period between approximately 1993 to 2007 and 2 former SDS managers. The Inquiry will also hear from 21 non-state witnesses who represent groups that were infiltrated and women who were deceived.
The Inquiry will also adduce the written evidence of a further three undercover officers.
During the course of these hearings, the Inquiry will hear evidence on topics related to undercover policing including:
In claiming that the Home Office put new codes and safeguards in place in 2000 to shift responsibility for the abuses that happened before, are they admitting that they _were_ resposible for the breaches of those ‘standards’ by those that followed, eg Kennedy et al https://t.co/isdzwZVJni
— Veggies 🌱 Vegan Campaign Catering 💙 🌱 (@veggiesnottm) October 13, 2025
See also DISCLOSURE: Unravelling the Spycops.
Kate Wilson’s memoir is a shocking exposé about the workings of Britain’s secret police. Much of the activity documented by Kate took place at Nottingham’s Sumac Centre. We were delighted that Kate joined us here on Sunday 1st June 2025, to tell her story and launch her book (which is available from Veggies online shop).
The new 3-part ITV documentary series ‘The Undercover Police Scandal: Love and Lies Exposed’ premiered on Thursday 6 March at 9pm, with screenings at Sumac Screen Room.
From the moment ‘Lisa’ discovers Mark Kennedy’s passport, the #spycops scandal starts to unravel.
Kate Wilson’s DISCLOSURE: Unravelling the Spycops Files is a memoir and a shocking exposé about the workings of Britain’s secret police.
Join Kate from 10am at Sumac Centre on Tuesday 16th December for an exclusive opportunity to share her real time insight into the Undercover Policing Inquiry, live streamed here at Sumac Centre.
If you can’t make the daytime, join us from 5pm to recap and to hear about her ‘Disclosure’ book events, and/or at 7pm to chat over the regular Notts Dining Co-op Community Meal.
The Inquiry live stream may include a lot of “I can’t remember”, “I’m afraid I can’t recall” & “It was a long time ago” by spycop Mark Jenner aka ‘Mark Cassidy’, who infiltrated anti fascist groups & Colin Roach Centre between 1995 and 2000, as he evades the truth in his evidence. Buckle up…
We will continue to follow the ‘Undercover Policing Inquiry’ throughout its proceedings. You can follow too, via the links below.
Since 1968 police targeted a wide range of social justice and human rights campaigns. Rights were violated and lives destroyed. In 2003 these secret political police infiltrated a group of idealistic young environmental activists in Nottingham, forming sexual relationships and spying without warrant on hundreds of innocent civilians.
This scandal, dubbed ‘#Spycops’‘, is now the subject of one of the UK’s longest, deepest, most extensive and expensive ‘public’ inquiries.
Hearings will resume with Tranche 3, Phase 2, from February 2nd See full schedule here.
Subject to availability we will sometimes follow live at Sumac Screen Room. For times of our coverage, check our commentary on Social.coop/(Mastodon). Also Veggies on Bluesky, here and ‘bridged’ here.
Like us you can also follow these platforms:
In phase 1 we heard, 26 witnesses give oral evidence, including 3 Special Demonstration Squad (SDS) officers deployed during the period between approximately 1993 to 2007 and 2 former SDS managers. The Inquiry also heard from 21 non-state witnesses who represent groups that were infiltrated and women who were deceived.
During the course of these hearings, the Inquiry will hear evidence on topics related to undercover policing including:
On Tues 16th December 2025 (day-30) we were joined for live analysis here at Sumac Centre by Kate Wilson. to follow the evidence of Mark Jenner aka ‘Mark Cassidy’, who infiltrated anti fascist groups & Colin Roach Centre between 1995 and 2000.
In claiming that the Home Office put new codes and safeguards in place in 2000 to shift responsibility for the abuses that happened before, are they admitting that they _were_ resposible for the breaches of those ‘standards’ by those that followed, eg Kennedy et al https://t.co/isdzwZVJni
— Veggies 🌱 Vegan Campaign Catering 💙 🌱 (@veggiesnottm) October 13, 2025
See also DISCLOSURE: Unravelling the Spycops.
Kate Wilson’s memoir is a shocking exposé about the workings of Britain’s secret police. Much of the activity documented by Kate took place at Nottingham’s Sumac Centre. We were delighted that Kate joined us here on Sunday 1st June 2025, to tell her story and launch her book (which is available from Veggies online shop).
The new 3-part ITV documentary series ‘The Undercover Police Scandal: Love and Lies Exposed’ premiered on Thursday 6 March at 9pm, with screenings at Sumac Screen Room.
From the moment ‘Lisa’ discovers Mark Kennedy’s passport, the #spycops scandal starts to unravel.
People’s Kitchen for Justice
28th November 2025, 7pm
Sumac Centre, 245 Gladstone St, NG7 6HX
We are eating together to raise funds for a legal battle in solidarity with a local human rights protester.
Recommended Donation: £5
© 2026 Sumac Centre
Theme by Anders Noren — Up ↑
