Hello

The LRM (Loiterers Resistance Movement) is a Manchester based collective of artists and activists interested in psychogeography, public space and the hidden stories of the city.

We can’t agree on what psychogeography means but we all like plants growing out of the side of buildings, looking at things from new angles, radical history, drinking tea and getting lost; having fun and feeling like a tourist in your home town. Gentrification, advertising and blandness make us sad. We believe there is magick in the mancunian rain.


Our city is wonderful and made for more than shopping. We want to reclaim it for play and revolutionary fun….


The LRM embark on psychogeographical drifts to decode the palimpsest of the streets, uncover hidden histories and discover the extraordinary in the mundane. We aim to nurture an awareness of everday space, (re)engaging with and (re)enchanting the city.


On the first Sunday of every month we go for a wander of some sort and we also organise occasional festivals, exhibitions, shows, spectacles, silliness and other random shenanigans. Please come and join us; everyone is welcome.

Please accept our apologies for the rather shabby nature of the blog at the moment; I am in the process of making it lovelier but I keep getting distracted, I'd so much rather be on the street than staring at a screen. I promise it will be sorted soon. In the meantime if you fancy a blether or a beer or just want to find out about what loitering can do for you please get in touch:

Email loiter@hepzombie.co.uk
Twitter @thelrm
Facebook group the loiterers resistance movement

We hope to see you playing out with us soon xx

March First Sunday

Hello dear Loiterers

Its First Sunday this Sunday and so time to loiter. We'll be meeting at 2pm in PIccadilly Gardens (near the Queen Victoria statue) on 6th March. Because its mothers day, and we are in the midst of the wonder women festival we we will be exploring gender, rules, roles and rebellion and how they are reflected, created, restricted and performed in the environment. Our wander will be fluid, participatory and open to anyone, of all genders and none, who wants to join in. There will probably be swearing, possibly frank discussion of bodies and doubtless minor epiphanies in convivial company

I do also bring news of two more walks which may be of interest the following week.

Don Lee of the Open Spaces Society is working and walking with me on a tour of contested paths and sites in Manchester. Some of you know Don and how much excellent work he has done over the years and I am so excited that he is sharing his knowledge and experience. Don and I will be practising the tour on Saturday March 12, starting 10am (location tbc, it will be central Manchester, please let me know if you want to come and we can let you know details). The tour will be one of several events during Loitering With Intent: The Art and Politics of Walking, an exhibition The LRM are organising at The Peoples History Museum. It opens July 23rd; more details soon.

We also have an invitation from the NW C20th Society for anyone interested in twentieth century buildings. "Last year we held our first semi-planned sortie trip as a mooch round Stafford. This year we are going closer to home, in Oldham on Saturday 12 March. We meet at 10.30 by the town centre exit of Oldham Central Metrolink station. This station is served by the G, H and I trams. After this we shall have a visit round the Queen Elizabeth Hall of 1977, with its wonderfully intact interior (little open these days), as part of the Oldham Beer Festival, where we can enjoy some lovely modernist architecture with some real ale. Also included, we shall visit Gallery Oldham with its current exhibition, Sculpting Stories, We will also look at the Civic Centre, former Magistrates Court- St Mary’s Church (if we can get in) and whatever else we discover- this is an expedition more than a tour. No need to RSVP or book a place. Free of charge, just turn up at the right time and place."

if you are on twitter there are frequent updates @thelrm and I hope to see you on the streets soon

love
Morag
PS thinking about the subject of this months derive I recommend looking at Manchester Womens Design Group.

February First Sunday

It’s First Sunday this Sunday and we’ll be gathering outside urbis (I believe that’s still the name of the building anyway) at 2pm on Sunday 7^th February for some kind of game that wont be related to football. If anyone has any suggestions for future meeting places or wanders do please get in touch. Friends at the womens design group have suggested possibly doing something in March as first Sunday then will be Mothers day and very near international womens day. Ideas would be very welcome

First First Sunday of 2016

It's First Sunday this Sunday - and January's loiter is usually very special as we shake off the festive cobwebs and and get aquainted with the new year. Please come and join us for a psychogeographical wander.  We will be meeting 12noon Sunday 3rd at The Britons Protection Great Bridgewater Street  We'll be playing out by 12.15 all welcome

december news

Greetings dear friends and fellow loiterers

as you know Decembers group loiter was thwarted by the elements and the vagaries of public transport; although this is frustrating it is also a helpful reminder that the derive is not just for First Sundays. A psychogeographical adventure can be embarked on anywhere at any time, on your own or with companions. We went for a wander in glorious Glasgow using this method, as suggested by John Hawes

"A game of two dice. The red one determines direction, odds go left and evens go right. The white one determines distance, odds for one block and evens for two. If the red chance alternates between odd and even and the white all even you can quickly end up a long way from your start point. If red is all odd or even and white all odd you will just go round the block.This worked well in Glasgow's grid system and, miraculously, ended up in a pub."

Some of the very first LRM events were on solstices so it would be lovely if anyone wanted to try this today in your own way; i'll start dice throwing at around 5pm in a busy shopping centre I think. Any field reports would be very welcome.

First Sunday will be back on January 3rd, time and place tbc but its a great way to start the year. 2016 promises to be a very special one for The LRM as we celebrate our 10th birthday with our exhibition at The Peoples History Museum. Interest in this has been overwhelming and the panel are going to have to make some tough choices - but it will be wonderful I'm sure. Thanks everyone for your ideas and support.

I hope to see you on the streets soon, in the meantime my heartfelt thanks to everyone who has loitered, inspired, argued and engaged with The LRM this year. I wish everyone luck, love and joyful ramblings whatever this season means to you

M xx

December loiter change

Hello everyone
Huge apologies - today's loiter is going to be postponed (first time in ten years!) I spent the weekend in Glasgow and the floods have led to travel issues which mean I won't be in Manchester in time. Sorry for any inconvenience caused, will update re replacement soon xx

Decembers Derive

Dear friends and fellow loiterers

Ahoy there dear friends and loiterers,

its first Sunday this Sunday, but its going to be a time shifting loiter. This is due to other commitments and the deadline for applications for our Peoples History Museum exhibition* being on Monday December 7th. Therefore we will be gathering on Tuesday December 8th, 6pm at The Britons Protection, Great Bridgewater Street. All welcome for a celebratory Wintery derive. Be lovely to see you

best wishes and happy wanders

Morag

*A quick reminder for anyone interested in participating in our exhibition at The Peoples History Museum next year. The deadline for applications is next week – Monday December 7^th. Thanks so much to everyone who has been in touch so far. A panel will be making decisions about applications, but I think it’s safe to say its going to be a very special show.

Guidelines and an application form for Loitering With Intent can be found in the files section of our facebook group, or more details are here: http://nowhere-fest.blogspot.co.uk/2015/09/the-lrm-at-peoples-history-museum-call.html