There’s a good reason this issue is late - we’ve been putting the finishing touches to the brand new Common People shop! Tote bags, mugs, hats - we’ve got ‘em. 100% of the profits go into our Common Break Fund, which provides tools, training and emergency support to Working Class creatives. Drop us a message if you’d like to know more about the fund or how to apply.
And send us a pic with your swag when it arrives. It’ll make us smile!
Thank you to this month’s new paid subscribers Bradley, Hayley, Vicki, Nicola and Rick. Your generosity means Common People can remain free to everyone, always.
And one last thing before we get to the other stuff, we need 57 more newsletter sign-ups to reach our goal of 2025 subscribers by 2025. Could you help us ‘smash our targets’ (listen to us) by sharing this with a mate or co-worker?
We’re celebrating
Applications for the Make Your Own Masters Class of 2025 are now open. MYOM is a grassroots creative learning programme supporting those from underrepresented backgrounds to get into the creative industries.
Your Game Plan are ready to deliver 16,00 free interview training sessions to state schools, but they need volunteers to make it happen. Email danny@yourgameplan.co.uk if you have a morning or afternoon free in February, wherever you are. Why not pitch the idea to your company? It’s a great use of CSR time. 95% of privately educated pupils get this kind of training paid for by their school. Let’s help balance that out.
We’re in love with these Hollywood-esque portraits of Bristol’s Working Class community taken in the 1950s by local photographer Herbert Shergold (you don’t get names like that anymore).
Listen to Rylan Clark and Rob Rinder delve further into matters of Class, culture and taste on the TalkArt podcast. It’s the only time we’ve heard Faces in Gants Hill mentioned alongside Artemisia Gentileschi. Honestly, fantastic.
As part of their new rebrand, music industry careers site DoorsOpen launched a series of free workshops on their YouTube channel. Also, take a look at their open resources hub and glossary for loads of insights into the world of music.
More than 80 writers, authors and academics signed an open letter asking the government to establish a centre for the writing industries in the North East. A 2021 study by the Publishers Association found 80% of the publishing workforce lived in London or the South East.
Back down south, our very own Common People member Andy Green has been campaigning to get Pie and Mash protected status, like Melton Mowbray pork pies and Cornish Pasties. We’re planning a Common People pie and mash road trip for 2025. Sling that down ya fakkin Gregory!
On the subject of Cockneys and their grub, Danny Dyer was in blistering form on Off Menu last month.
STAT!
Among creative workers aged 35 and below, there are around 4 times as many people from Middle Class compared to Working Class origins. The Sutton Trust, A Class Act report, 2024.
In the news
The real world consequences of arts cuts were felt in Edinburgh as The People’s Story Museum, dedicated to Working Class life in the city, shut its doors following financial pressure. John Harris in The Guardian had some strong words.
Billie Eilish’s mum reckons anyone calling her daughter a Nepo baby needs to wind their fucking neck in.
And to end on a high note, the people of Cardiff are showing how collective action can fight gentrification and revive local music, providing a blueprint for other regions under threat from luxuryapartmentification.
Common People is, and always will be free to read. No paywalls. Nada. But if you like what we’re about and want to help the cause, you could shout about us on socials or share this with a friend. Or your co-workers. Or get us in to do a talk at your office. Or just drop us a message with a friendly word to commonpeoplelikeus@gmail.com.
We also have a WhatsApp group for commoners in the creative industries. If you’re not already at peak WhatsApp group and want to get involved, drop us a message!
Until next month,
Much love.