Loads to see and do at the Ardagh

November 09 2017
Loads to see and do at the Ardagh

Ardagh Community Trust have been working in partnership with Manor Farm Community Hub over the last year to develop a series of shared projects which support the aims of both organisations.

Ardagh Community Trust have been working in partnership with Manor Farm Community Hub over the last year to develop a series of shared projects which support the aims of both organisations. We have a range of activities happening & more on the way! Please do have a look at the new ACT website (www.theardagh.com) for more information, and do join us on facebook at Ardagh Community Trust and twitter @TheArdagh

 What’s On & Upcoming Events and Activities

 1. Horfield Common Repair Café – Saturday 25th November, 10.00am-12.30pm

Our next Repair Café takes place on Saturday 25th November between 10-12.30pm. We have a team of volunteer fixers who contribute their time and expertise to help to fix household items which prevent them going into landfill, as well as saving money! What is not to like?!

 If you would like to volunteer as a repairer, please do get in touch in advance to find out more, or come along on the day & introduce yourself to any of the volunteers working on the project. Our Repair Café is part of a network across Bristol, and Bristol is part of an international movement which aims to share skills locally and support local people to reduce our impact on the environment and reduce waste of items which can be repaired if you know how!

 The Repair Café concept is simple. Visitors bring their broken items from home. Together with our volunteer repairers they start making their repairs in the Repair Café. It’s an ongoing learning process. If you have nothing to repair, you can enjoy a cup of tea or coffee. Or you can lend a hand with someone else’s repair job and develop your own knowledge. There are over 1300 Repair Cafés worldwide & we are really pleased to be one of them!

 2. My Manor Project

 My Manor is a broad-ranging project which aims to develop a range of community-led activities generated through the interests and ambitions of local people. The project is open to all residents of Manor Farm and there are a range of opportunities to get involved in.

 i. History and Memories of Manor Farm

A small group of residents is currently working to develop a new community history of the estate, including interviews with longstanding residents, new collections of photographs which illustrate life in Manor Farm since the estate opened in 1940s and a heritage trail around the estate which draws attention to some of the historical features which have shaped the way in which the area has grown. There are some fantastic stories emerging from the project already which are enabling the group to develop a fantastic resource that will be of interest to local people and those interested in history and heritage more broadly.

 If you would like to get involved in the project, please do get in touch – all are welcome. If you have family photographs, for example that you would be prepared to let us take copies of and/or if you would be happy to tell us about your memories of Manor Farm Estate & how it has changed (or not!) since your first memories of the area – please do get in touch – we would love to hear from you.

 History & Memories of Manor Farm Event – Saturday 25th November 2017, 10.00am – 12.30pm

 All are welcome to attend this event which is a chance for the project team to chat informally to people who are current (and/or previously were) residents of Manor Farm and who are prepared to share their stories, photographs and memories as part of the project. Please see the attached poster for the event, and do come along if you are interested – we look forward to seeing you!

 ii. My Manor – What’s the Plan?

 Following removal of the Multi-Use Games Area from Maskeleyne Avenue Park earlier in 2017, there has been significant interest from local residents in exploring what potential there may be for the park to be better used & a more valuable asset for the local community, and equal interest and concern from those whose daily lives were being negatively affected by the anti-social behavior issues that led to the MUGA’s removal.

Following an initial meeting at the Beehive in September, attended by residents on both sides of the debate, along with a local Councillor and other interested groups, it was agreed that we would approach UWE’s School of Architecture to work with us on a project to explore how the park might be able to be better used by the local community without recreating problems similar to those that had been associated with the MUGA.

This project is now up and running & the students leading it are keen to hear from as many residents of Manor Farm as possible to inform their work. It is important that all understand that the project is a ‘concept and vision’ project which aims to generate ideas, stimulate debate and thinking and develop potential solutions. It is part of the students’ programme of study but they are also keen that it is of use to the local community. Any specific outcomes will only be developed if there is community support for them & this will be subject to further consultation and development in the future. This project is the first step to explore what residents may be interested to see happen.

Maskeleyne Avenue Park – Community Workshop Thursday 9th & Saturday 11th November 2017 at the Beehive; drop-in, interactive sessions – ALL WELCOME!

Please do fill in the survey the students have put together:  https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/6C6WJVD and come along to the events planned at the Beehive for 9th – 11th November to chat to the students informally about their work and ideas. Thank you very much to Rufus at the Beehive for hosting the events; the students’ models of the park will stay on view between the sessions so that if you can’t get to the venue during the advertised time slots, you can still have a look at, and comment on the ideas. Paper copies of the survey will be available if you do not have easy access to the internet at home.

If you are interested in being part of a group working on this specific project & plans for improvements locally, please do get in touch. While Manor Farm Community Hub continue the significant work that is needed to secure a permanent space for use by the community in Manor Farm, these kinds of projects may help to develop other ideas about how the communitymight like to see the area, and activities in it, develop.

iii. Craft and Chat Project – November 29th – December 13th 2017, 10.00am – 1.00pm weekly

In November 2017 a series of workshops will launch at the Ardagh, to provide an opportunity for people who live in Manor Farm to meet and get to know each other while working on a range of crafts and arts projects which should also be fun!

The sessions will take place on Wednesday mornings from 10am – 1pm and will be led by a local arts/crafts tutor. These sessions are for complete beginners and everyone will work at their own pace.

No previous experience is necessary and all materials will be provided. To book a place, please e-mail info@theardagh.com; places are free for Manor Farm residents.

In the first sessions, participants will learn print and textile techniques while making unique items which they can take home with them at the end of the 3 week project.

If you would like to get involved or would like more information about any of the work taking place through the My Manor Project, please do get in touch. If you live in Manor Farm and are interested in learning new skills, getting to know your neighbours and/or developing an interest – or just getting out of the house – please do get in touch. The projects are all resident-led & aim to be as responsive as possible!

Thank you very much to the People’s Health Trust for their support for this work.

iv. The Café on the Common – End of Season 2017

The Café on the Common closes at the end of October and will be back in the Spring for the 2018 season. By the time you read this we will have celebrated our end of season event with a Halloween party & look forwards to seeing many of you there to enjoy the fun with us! Thank you very much to all for your support for the café, and for your custom over the last year – it is very much appreciated.

For more information about any of the above, please see www.theardagh.com or drop in!