A basin of strong community bonds

Funny really, after such a short visit, but I was sad to leave Burnley earlier this week, even though I will be back in a few days time. The landscape of Suffolk was brought into sharp relief after living amongst the hills of Lancashire. Burnley is in a basin, surrounded, by hills including the famous Pendle Hill - but then all you 'Burnleyites' will know that. It seems to me, that the geography there connects with the nature of the people, theirs is an openness that can only come from a security borne through being held together in a basin of a strong community bonds.

On another note, I am looking forward to seeing a copy of The Clarion, published by Burnley school children and containing their hopes for the future. I think it might throw some light on the wonderful nature of the people. Thanks to Chris Keene for alerting me to it.

I'll be back early next week. if any one would like to meet up for a chat, please let me know!

Caroline

Photo Walk

Craft Session, New People and Fresh Energy

We had the first art and craft session at the Cabin this week. There were seven of us in total, which is probably about all that the room can manage comfortably, but more people are planning to come next time so we will find a way (even if a little uncomfortably).  Caroline, one of the two artists starting her residency with Ground UP, was able to join us for the session, which was lovely as she was able to chat to new people, follow up some areas of interest and join the fun. She was telling us how friendly she found SW Burnley on her initial walkabout and how open people have been, which was great to hear.

As one of the Ground UP core team of three I have been inspired and re-invigorated by my first couple of meet ups with Caroline and Kelly. They are bringing a new energy and fresh perspectives to the project and it feels like  the development work over the past few months is now feeding into positive activity and already there is a cross-fertilisation of ideas happening.

Today we also interviewed six people/organisations for the documentation commission. We haven't made a decision yet, but the process itself has encouraged more questions and ideas about how and what we want to document and what role the documenter will play. Each of the interviews was so completely different and each proposed process would bring something unique to Ground UP and the local community. Again, it was good to hear from each of the artists and discover why they had applied for the commission. Most told us that the opportunity to work with a project that is founded on a solid and 'Ground UP' process linked to the open brief had inspired them to submit a proposal. We must make a decision tomorrow so that the successful artists can get going and continue to build on the developing programme and energy around the project.

Oh, and tomorrow we are going on a photo walk with local photographer Andy Ford to photograph some of the people and places of South West Burnley.

Cath

John Murdoch

On Monday I was lucky enough to meet with John Murdoch. John was a popular entertainer in Burnley up to a decade ago with his themed 'Shamrock and Thistle' events. He had fabulous memories of his life after moving to Burnley in the 1960s. He first lived on Westgate before moving to Stoops Estate where he lived with his wife and daughter. More of John's story to follow, but for now, here are some pictures of his unique sitting room filled with novelty clocks. I also got to meet John's friendly companion, Chloe the dog.

Photographing South West Burnley

Whilst out and about I've been taking snaps of South West Burnley. In advance of our photography session with Andy Ford at Coal Clough Library tomorrow we've been encouraged to upload our photos so that we can have a look and learn how to make them better. These are unedited snaps, so forgive wonky composition, poor light and focus! See anywhere you recognise? What should we be photographing before it changes forever?

http://www.flickr.com/photos/groundupswburnley/

Steph

First Days Are Exciting

First days are exciting, and today - my first working on the groundUP residency, was no exception. Much of my time was spent talking to the lovely people of Burnley, such an open welcoming bunch of people. I have drunk a lot of tea, joined ladies in Scott Park on outdoor fitness equipment, chatted over the garden fence to a family on Rosehill Road and struck up a conversation with an elderly gentleman on the bus. I met with Denzel, who is a working horse and talked to Kelly, the other residency artist about her work and her background as a historian. Not many projects start with such a fascinating set of experiences - my notebook is already filling up nicely...

Art and Craft at the Cabin