Press release
Friday 3 October 2008
Stuff of Life festival 2008 – reclaiming the streets, celebrating community.
A local Residents’ Association has been awarded a Grass Roots grant from Nottinghamshire Community Foundation, to help make its forthcoming neighbourhood festival one to remember.
The festival, which takes place at Hedley Villas Park, Sherwood Rise on Saturday 11th October 2008, from 12.00 – 6.00pm, is organised by the Sherwood Rise Residents’ Association with the aim of bringing local people together.
As well as promising to be a fun afternoon out for the whole neighbourhood, organisers hope the festival will offer local residents the opportunity to come and meet the neighbours whilst highlighting what a creative area Sherwood Rise is and what a wonderful community spirit Sherwood Rise has.
Sherwood Rise Residents’ Association, Chair, Chris Lewis-Jones commented:
“The Stuff of Life Festival is an opportunity to acknowledge and celebrate the diversity and creativity that characterises this area. We chose bread as a theme for the festival as historically there were three bakeries in the area and those lucky enough to live around the park were often given surplus pikelets and oatcakes from Leigh’s Bakery on Albany Road. The festival is a mini community carnival, with plenty for people to see, hear and do. Come and meet the neighbours, bring some bread… and have some fun!”
Bread-making competition and free bread
One of the highlights of the festival will be a bread-making competition, open to anyone who comes along on the day. Categories include: sweet, savoury and bread sculptures. Bring your entry on the day and be in with a chance of winning a mystery prize! Bread will be judged on presentation, so get creative! Judges are hoping to see a variety of breads that reflect and celebrate the diversity of the community. All entries accepted from, naan and pitta breads to bagels and sourdough loaves – anything goes as long as it’s bread!
This year’s bread giveaway is sponsored by The Kingsmill Midlands Region Bakery, who have donated over 200 loaves to share with festivalgoers. Just come along to the Sherwood Rise Residents’ Association stall on the day to collect your free loaf. First come first served!
Art on the Railings and craft stalls
Festival goers with an interest in the arts will not be disappointed, the 60 metres of railings which surround the park will be given over to 23 of Nottingham’s best known artists to display and sell their work. Artists include; Dominic Pote, Simon Withers, Marek Tobelewski, Toby Jennings, Yelena Popova and Gurminder Sikand. In addition to the art, you will be able to get an early start on your Christmas shopping with 12 Nottingham craft makers selling their work, if you are lucky you may just pick up a bargain, craft makers include ceramics by Katrin Moye and jewellery by Hana Glover.
Live music and Live Art
Whilst the kids enjoy children’s workshops, balloon modelling, face painting and circus skills, the park will be filled with live music from performers such as Never Been to New Orleans, The Boothill Toetappers, The Reverb, Aistaguca and many more besides. There will also be a live arts venue, which will feature video projections and performances by: Andy Dobbs, Searching4Albion, Cyril Seaton’s Cycle Roots, Rachel Parry, Gareth Jordan and Lord Biro.
Additional funding
In addition to its recent funding boost from Nottinghamshire Community Foundation, the festival has also received funding from Nottingham City Council, The Puri Foundation and The Jesse Spencer Trust. It has also received support in kind from the Skills Exchange and New College Nottingham, whilst three recent fund raising quiz nights organised by the Residents’ Association and hosted by Bar Deux have helped ensure that the event will go ahead with style!
The festival organisers are still keen to hear from local residents, businesses, schools and community groups who would like to get involved, or think they may be able to help. Anyone wishing to do so should e-mail, Event Manager, Lucy Greaves at stuffoflife@hotmail.co.uk
Ends…
Notes to editors:
Sherwood Rise Residents’ Association
Sherwood Rise Residents’ Association (SRRA) was formed in 1999. It has previously been known as the Hedley Park Residents’ Association, but changed its name to reflect the involvement of residents from the wider area. Members of the SRRA have been actively campaigning on a variety of issues affecting local people and the area for a number of years.
www.uptherise.co.uk
www.myspace.com/stuffoflife
For More Information please contact: Jodi Carter-Davies at jcarterdavies@googlemail.com / 07905167919
