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Jollydarity

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Jollydarity is a derivative of the Polish Solidarity movement's name (Solidarność) and the word jolly but meaning "enjoying working together for the benefit of the community" as defined by Cathy Marsden of the Jollydarity campaign group. The group was founded in Reading UK 2009 when a community public house, The Jolly Anglers, was closed for converting into flats and causing a furor with locals. Campaigner Colm Daly invented the slogan and it was immediately adopted for leaflets, banners, their website [1]and Facebook homepage [2]and Twitter [3].

Inspired by the Polish ship-workers who over turned a dogmatic one-party state into a democracy the group is non-partisan and draws on grassroots support from the wider community. Jollydarity oppose community degradation by having fun, singing and partying, rather than marching or protesting. This is reflected in quoting their rallying song (Bring Back My Jolly To Me, see [4]) in local Council Chambers, and using such rhetoric as "fighting the hegemony of misery in our midst with the shield of hope and the sword of Jollydarity".

The latest news as of February 2010 is that their campaign has been successful and the The Jolly Anglers is to reopen on March 1st 2010 at 11am GMT.