A short presentation

Still in catch up mode...
Also in January I screened a short documentary (made by film maker Mike Patterson) about a collaborative project I developed in Wednesbury last year. I was keen to share documentation of this socially engaged endeavour with interested Groundwork folk, and I must say thank you to those that took a chunk out of their lunch break to view this short film and stay to chat afterwards.
The session threw up some useful points about documenting work, revealed some interesting examples of projects that staff were currently/previously involved in and also evidenced how ideas can spring up from the most unlikely sources - for example, if i remember correctly, Ray and I got excited about waste audits/filing cabinets and skips (no really! In response to something Alex from Envision had said). I think it linked with our interest in archives and swap shop - go figure!

By the by: This project in Wednesbury came about through an invitation from Multistory. In response to my trips there, talking with local people and researching its history (industrial and political) I proposed a trade union style banner which i produced with a small team of talented local residents. For more info and images visit:

http://www.multistory.org.uk/?page_id=78

A big thank you also that week to Anne, Jocella and Alex for meeting with me to discuss their project areas and their pre-Groundwork escapades. I learned for example about Anne's involvement in 'Past on your doorstep, future in your hands' - a participatory project about Plymouth's naval, military and maritime history. (Anne's getting active in the Swilly at War project - must get an update on how that's developing!)
I was interested also to hear from Jocella about the on-going Horticultural Healing project based at Royal William Yard. And with Alex I discussed social enterprise, as you do. In particular we focused on the soap making initiative in Foxhole, Paignton (this you'll be hearing more about in due course). Its a peach!

Sporty Saltmills

Way back...
on the 1oth January I joined Ray and the Groundwork's team down at Saltmill Park in Saltash, Cornwall for the opening of the new sports pitch. Bad weather did not effect play and coach loads of school kids and local VIPS arrived for official 'kick off'.
The park, a former landfill, has undergone a massive regeneration and walking around the site with Ray (checking out the public art works and skate park) its hard to believe this beautiful spot overlooking the Tamar was once a rubbish dump.
Looking good!

The kids got to test out the 'astro-turf' pitch with a spot of hockey and rugby (check the photo of James showing us how it should be done!) I tell you, fake grass technology has come on in leaps and bounds since my hockey playing days back in the 80's - running around on the type of surface grocer's displayed their veg on down the high street! Wonder if this new stuff still burns as badly if you slip on it - you are surprised I didn't test this out!

Alex introduced me to one of the local residents Fran who has been involved in the sites re-development since the outset. She told me how back in the days of the site being a rubbish tip you sometimes had to keep your windows closed during the summer months because of the smell and flies. She pointed out her house overlooking the site. It was fascinating to hear about the scrapbook she kept documenting the process of change in the area. And her own process of change too, as she briefly described her own journey into community activism, local politics and her current role as Mayor.

Despite the grey day and bad light Ray and I filmed and photographed (there were almost as many cameras snapping as there were hockey sticks thwacking that day i can tell you!) Anyhoo I've chosen a few for your enjoyment - By the way the one of Nicola telling me where to go gives you an idea that perhaps I was just as bit too happy snappy ;)

Views of Plymouth 2

On the hoof..I've been getting about a bit!

As ever playing catch up! I've not blogged for a couple weeks as I've been dashing about
a) finding a new place to live and b) brewing up a few creative ideas.

I'll update you properly on the interesting chats i've been having with Groundwork folk a little later, not to mention the sporty opening event I attended in Saltmill's on the 10th Jan (some nice photos to follow!).... but for now I wanted to mention my trips to Foxhole in Paignton.

Jackie, Claire & Claire welcomed me at the Community Centre where they've just started an excellent 'soap making' social enterprise project that's got me in a creative lather! This is total watch this spacer! The samples they have produced are really top notch and we are jamming about the possibilities of developing a limited edition - more on this later when plans firm up.

In the mean time I'm off to Glasgow for the National Review of Live Art.........