Not entirely music related, but we really like the sound of Bristol Radical History Week 2007 which started yesterday (28/10/07 - 6/11/07). This year Bristol Radical History Group turns its single beady eye on Pirates, Witches & Smugglers, icons of the past, so deeply reviled by the rulers of their time. Who were these 'outcasts'? Why are we so fascinated by them? Do their villainous representations carry clues to their real nature? Get answers to these questions and more during this year's Bristol Radical History Week, more details after the link.

Sunday 28th and Monday 29th October are devoted to the enemies of Customs and Excise, the Smugglers. Local historians Jim McNeil, Kev Davis and Dave Cullum will span the West Country from Gloucester, via Dorset to Cornwall telling stories of wrecking, smuggling and the customary rights of the sea commons. Dr. Trevor Bark brings the story up to date with an investigation of tobacco and alcohol smuggling and the rise of the black economy in the latter part of the last century.

Halloween week continues with a study of demonology and the repression of Witches on Tuesday 30th and Wednesday 31st. Dr. Jonathan Barry examines why 18th C. radicals in Somerset wrote demonological texts to attack the establishment of Church and State (and paid for it with their lives). We are delighted to have Sylvia Federici making her first appearance at the History Week. She analyses the witch trials in the 16th and 17th centuries and their relationship to the control of reproduction and the introduction of work discipline as feudal economies transitioned to capitalism.

On Saturday 3rd November a celebration of Bristol's finest (and our personal favorites), the Pirates. Professor Marcus Rediker explains how these 'villains of all nations' began as brutalised common seamen, turned pirate and created a multicultural, democratic and egalitarian society under the 'Jolly Roger'. The week ends with a voyage round the Bristol docks with skipper Mark Steeds and his cider swilling Surfin' Turnip crew.

And there's films….Paul Tickel presents his excellent BBC documentary 'The History of Race' on Thursday 1st, wreckers are celebrated in the Ealing classic Whiskey Galore! on Monday 29th, but unfortunately you will already have missed the Opening Night - Merry Hell!: From Jolly Roger To Old Roger which took place on Saturday 27th.

For further details of events and venues and the full programme, visit the Bristol Radical History Week website.