Hello!
I hope you are all well and coping with the waving of heat and topsy-turvy timetable of World Cup football fixtures. I personally wilt a little in the warmth and am enjoying this small window of slightly cooler days. I do love all the blooming flowers though! And the past few weeks have given us chance to take in some of the fantastic flora at a few local venues.
Getting outside:
Walking with Tara around Shaw Wood and Oakerthorpe Nature Reserve, visiting Shipley Community Gardens and getting chatty in the Shedquarters, and spending time at Grow Outside CIC for June’s Summer Evening Session. Thank you to those who came along to the June Meet-up and to Claire Teeling for sharing the joys and struggles involved in setting up the space and keeping it going/growing so beautifully. If you didn’t get to see the space and would like to, or did and want to spend more time at the gardens, there are open volunteering session on Fridays 10-12 Grow Outside.
Story Telling For Evaluation:
On the back of our story day in May and continued conversations at last month’s shared working day, we are now piloting ‘story telling for evaluation’. Over the summer a small group of story gatherers are going to collect stories from each other and then reach out to the network to gather a few additional stories. These will be written up and shared back in September.
Together Days:
If the longer and lighter summer days have you feeling in the mood to bumble like a bee and cross-pollinate some project ideas and energies amongst the network we have quite a few opportunities to gather over the summer months. Our July shared working day is this Wednesday 8th July at The Mill in Oakerthorpe,10- 5pm “Mill Days” - Co-Working at Amber Mill. Join us to work independently, collaboratively, creatively, or take some time to read, craft, share food or enjoy a local stroll. Pop-in for an hour or stay all day. Everyone welcome.
Meet-ups:
For our July evening gathering we will have the opportunity to spend some time in the beautiful surrounds of Shining Cliff Woods, July Meet-Up @Shining Cliff, Wednesday, July 15 • 5 PM - 8 PM (same evening as a world cup semi-final). This is the second of four Summer Evening Sessions, where will be taking advantage of the longer evenings to host our meet ups outdoors in local community venues, and hopefully have a chat with the local legends behind each venue. For a look at the space and the activities Woodland Events – Shining Cliff Centre C.I.C .
From 5-6:30pm there will be time to just enjoy being in the space. Have a wander or take a seat and soak up the vibes. Bring a picnic tea, a sketch pad, a book to read, or have a natter. From 6:30-8pm we’ll have more of a group check-in and chat, for peers to share ideas, ask questions, and offer support in relation to local community project work and creative imaginings.
The meet-ups are open to anyone who is working to create positive change in their neighbourhoods across Amber Valley. There is an open invitation to share ideas, exchange tips, or offer and receive support. We look forward to seeing you there.
Shining Cliff Centre CIC is based in woodland in Ambergate, for access there is a small amount of woodland parking and a 10 minute woodland walk. If you fancy a visit but don’t drive please get in touch and we will try our best to coordinate travel.
Looking forward:
August’s shared working Day at The Mill and Summer Evening Session at Craft Wood will both be on Wednesday 19th August. If you want to join us for a walk between the venues we will set off from the Mill around 4pm.
Our final summer evening session will be held at Shipley Community Garden on Wednesday 16th September 5-8pm. As this is the last of our outdoor session we are hoping to have a focus on bringing together all those whose ideas, energies and projects have ties art, nature, wellbeing and sustainability. Lots of you are working with these ideas in mind and it would be great to gather together some of the local energy around these themes. More details to come.
The wheels are in motion for the third year of Derbyshire Makes festival activity. There are some funding avenues available through Derbyshire County Council for local heritage and making projects, with expressions of interest due in September 1st and November 1st. Please do get in touch if you have any questions.
Warm wishes,
Lizzie