SPC2012 Newsletter Autumn / Winter issue
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St Pauls Carnival Newsletter Autumn / Winter 2012
Charity No 1136561 Company No 06116890
‘promoting Participation in and Education and Appreciation of African and Caribbean Arts and Culture’ Dear Carnival supporters:
Some of the feedback I have been hearing from the community is that the charity’s avenues of communication are poor and I am keen to address this. So to that end we have revived our seasonal newsletter and are looking to have more community meetings as a starting point to build stronger communication links. We also plan to work with local businesses so they too can be points of communication as well as our website, Facebook page, twitter feed, YouTube channel and other community newsletters. I have heard say that as an organisation St Pauls Afrikan Caribbean Carnival ltd is closed and unapproachable, this is far from the truth, the staff and Trustees are open and approachable, again maybe we haven’t publicised this very well, but this can be remedied. I urge you to contact us with your ideas and skills to organise fundraising events and fun informative activities or if you just want to find out ways you can be involved. If you are interested in becoming a Trustee please contact us for a Trustees pack. We are looking for people with Charity Accounting and Legal expertise, Digital media skills, Business management and even if you don’t wish to take on the responsibility of being a Trustee you can join our group of advisors and contribute to making SPC a community success story. SPC aims to be recognised as more than a one day event, but as we know the July celebration has grown so much in the past five or six years that some of the other events that prompted much involvement from the local community have had to be stripped away. We are working to bring these back; to establish Arts Education activities all year round that will build up to the spectacular showcase event which is St Pauls Carnival in July.
What does the future hold for Carnival? I have a vision of SPC celebrating it’s Golden anniversary in 2018; cementing an unlimited future ahead of it, a legacy for the next generation. And maybe even before then establishing a permanent home for SPC with archives, office, workshop, gallery and performance space. A place where people can come to learn, share and play all year round. But first we are working hard towards the delivery of 45 years of St Pauls Carnival in 2013. So how can this be achieved? Well, through fundraising, sponsorship, donations and revenue raising. But what does that mean? Fundraising will be securing other grants on top of the money already secured from BCC and ACE. Sponsorship means approaching local, citywide and national companies to pledge their support of the Charity and the event: 100 businesses pledging £1,000 annually can make a bright future for Carnival. Donations this could be 100,000 carnival goers donating £1 each this too would be a ground breaking show of support for St Pauls Carnival. Finally Revenue Raising, this will involve St Pauls Afrikan Caribbean Carnival ltd creating a calendar of events and experiences for interested parties to pay to attend, learn from and support. Together, there is potential for the community of St Pauls, Bristol and St Pauls Afrikan Caribbean Carnival to blaze a trail and demonstrate how through unity and determination, through the sharing of skills, knowledge and resources, a free community festival, now Charity can survive, grow, be sustainable and successful and all through the participation, education and appreciation of African and Caribbean Arts and Culture. I look forward to hearing your views and news. Warmest Regards, Rebecca Gibbs, SPC Chair 2010-12
Announcements: Jason, organiser of ‘Together as One’ which took place on 7th July generously made a donation to St Pauls Afrikan Caribbean Carnival of £800.00 which he matched with an equal donation to the Bristol Children’s hospital appeal. Many thanks and much admiration.
2012/13 Timeline Aug Sept Oct
Follow us on … Facebook: www.facebook.com/stpaulscarnival Twitter: @stpaulscarnival t: 0117 944 4176 / info@stpaulscarnival.co.uk / www.stpaulscarnival.co.uk
Nov Dec
EGM, MTM** AGM MTM** Black History Month MTM** MTM** SPC Supporters Meeting MTM**
**Monthly Trustees Meeting
SPC2012 Newsletter Autumn / Winter issue
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News and Highlights:
In order to secure the funding afforded us by Bristol City Council and Arts Council England in 2012 we have not stopped planning and delivering what we aim to be great art to all involved and a quality, safe, educational experience every time. Therefore we continue to arrange and facilitate various projects and programmes which will achieve these aims. The next page lists a range of things we have done so far this year, some ongoing and some things yet to come, check out Home Events and Experiences
More photos available on the stpaulscarnival.co.uk website
Photo Gallery
Your Carnival needs YOU! St Pauls Afrikan Caribbean Carnival is a Charity and membership-based organisation. We invite you to become a member. Membership, entitles you to vote at SPC’s Annual General Meeting (AGM) and to receive news updates and discounts on SPC events and experiences.. For further information on becoming a member of St Pauls Afrikan Caribbean Carnival Ltd or for an Membership application form contact us via the office or visit the website.
Text donations: SPC2012 Artists Engagement Programme Dance workshop with SPC Lead Artist Norman ‘Rubba’ Stephenson of Afidance
You can make a donation to St Pauls Carnival by texting. You can choose the exact amount you want to donate just by texting 'CARN45' and the amount you wish to donate to 70070.
'CARN45' £1 to 70070 *The text message is free and will not come out of your inclusive messages. St Pauls Carnival (registered charity 1136561) will receive all of your text donation. Make sure that you have the bill payer’s permission.
Testimonials: SPC2012 Artists Education Programme, the aim: to increase the skills and knowledge base of local dance artists & ensure that high quality output was delivered when these artists then went into Schools and part of our Schools Engagement Programme. 9 Artists took part, here is their feedback. What was the best thing about the Sheba Montserrat workshop? “The historical element and the teacher: Everything!!! But historical context was emotionally liberating: The tutor! Sheba! The background info around sensitive issues: Learning about Caribbean dance and its background and history: It was really energetic, exciting, and enjoyable getting me right back in: Energy: The fact I learnt something new: Lovely and clear teaching and energy: For me learning a new form of dance.” What could have been improved? “Nothing” x6: “Longer session: Started earlier, on time: It could be longer!” Would you
like St Pauls Afrikan Caribbean Carnival to carry out this sort of professional development/ masterclass in the future? And Why? “Yes” x 9; “Very enriching experience – Really Important to learn the history: Because it’s important to have knowledgeable practitioners – this will keep us informed, current, and passionate: Excellent in terms of legacy and knowledge: Because not only I trained and learned new steps but I also connect with other people working for the carnival and learned more about its origin: It will be always organised: For organization and because it’s fun and high energy: Because it’s nice to be taught as well as to teach: Very informative of history and where the moves come from: This would give dancers an opportunity to learn other form of dance and culture.” Any Other Comments? “Really loved it and the teacher is inspiring: Please, please, please bring Sheba and others like her to us on a regular basis – thanks: Very fun filled!: More interested in the history of carnival: None: I really enjoyed today: Lovely lady: Great day. Need more.” The SPC team are delighted with this feedback, many thanks to Jasmine Loveys SPC Schools Education Programme Co-ordinator 2012. © 2012 St Pauls Afrikan Caribbean Carnival Ltd, The Coach House, Upper York Street, St Pauls, Bristol BS2 8QN Charity No 1136561 Company No 06116890 Phone: 0117 944 4176 Email: info@stpaulscarnival.co.uk Web: www.stpaulscarnival.co.uk
SPC2012 Newsletter Autumn / Winter issue
Collaborations: as part of our initiative to build flourishing relationships we are looking to work with and share support with other organisations that share the SPC charitable objective, that is
‘promoting Participation in and Education and Appreciation of African and Caribbean Arts and Culture’. So here are some up coming opportunities, activities and initiatives which you may be interested to take up: The Dug Out with Splice Theatre Loveworks soon to be Kids Company Bristol Bristol Carnivalistas - costume making The SPC team would love to hear from organisations who wish to work together to really champion African and Caribbean Arts, Culture & Education.
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Home Events and Experiences: Looking forward: Costume making Master classes we hope to start these later in the year and that these will tie into an NVQ course in Carnival Costume Making- in association with Bristol Carnivalistas. Photograph & Costume exhibition - A Multi-media exhibition of Arts, crafts and performances showcasing the outcomes our Schools & Artists Education programmes 2012. Ongoing: We are working with Loveworks / Kids Company Bristol What have we been doing so far in 2012: St Pauls Carnival represented at the Olympic Torch Relay event in May with a specially commissioned costume. The Spectacular Bristol Blue St Pauls Carnival costume also took part in the Olympics Opening ceremony on the 28th July in Weymouth. A big thankyou to Symone Cornwall our Carnival Queen 2011 who fashioned the costume and represented SPC, St Pauls and Bristol so well. Pupils from Millpond school showcased a giant puppet they made in one of our carnival workshops. The giant articulated fox was then showcased at the Festival of Nature on Saturday 16th June. Cabot School children have been taking part in various creative workshops and they joined Bristol's contribution to the ‘Battle of the Winds’ event in Weymouth on the 28th July as part of the Olympics opening Ceremony. Our carnival fundraiser at the Malcolm X in July was quite well attended and we plan to develop this form of fundraising combining entertainment. We have also been working with organisers of other events where they have offered to support SPC with a donation made from their turnover. Events include: Lakota - It’s a St Pauls Ting, Island Fever, ‘Together as One’ St Pauls & Stoke croft - we would like to thank those who have offered support so far and look forward to working together with SPC supporters towards the ongoing success of St Pauls Afrikan Caribbean Carnival ltd. We have delivered 2day course in Spectator Safety (NVQ level 2 ) with the help of Green stewards. Participants will complete the practical aspect of the course by stewarding at events and/or festivals. In this way we are building up a resource of local people who are proficient and qualified to Steward at SPC events. The children’s area Mandela’s hideaway was held in St Agnes Park on August 11th with all of the usual free workshops and activities, we trust a fun day was had by all. Schools engagement programme we have successfully engaged with12 schools to deliver 25 free workshops with local artists in 2012. (Only 3 Schools were able to take part in this programme in 2011) Artists Engagement programme. In a bid to ensure a quality SPC experience for all involved we engaged a lead dance artist in 2012. Norman ‘Rubba’ Stephenson of Afidance ihas co-ordinated and facilitated a series of workshops to develop local dance artists' skills in African & Caribbean dance and dance history. These Artists went on to take part in the delivery of our Schools Engagement programme. This is one way that our various events and programmes work together and continue to invest in and increase the knowledge and skills of local people. Sheba from Irie! Dance Theatre and of Lion King fame, also provided training which SPC financed to ensure these classes are accessible and inclusive to the artists involved. (see Artists testimonials on previous page)
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Testimonials: We asked for feedback on the Schools Education Programme 2012 from pupils, artists and teachers involved: In St George School we asked our SPC Artist Emma Byron- What did young people learn about carnival arts and African and Caribbean culture? They learned about a process of puppet making, from design to completion. At the design stage we looked at images of carnival and other large puppets, which gave some context to the project. Many of the young people I think experienced the excitement and sense of achievement that can come from building a large puppet: the team work, practical challenges and aesthetic decisions along the way leading to a real sense of ownership, and the enjoyment of the puppet finally coming alive. As part of the project we discussed African heritage in the Americas, in connection with the class’s current literacy topic of the Wild West. We talked about black cowboys and African people’s role in shaping American culture. We asked Ms Kirk yr 1 / 2 teacher- How did the young people benefit from these workshops? (by) Creating something we wouldn’t normally be able to do in our school. Meeting a real life artist/ puppet maker. How was this workshop valuable? (the workshop) Enabled year 5/6 and year 1/2 to work together sharing ideas and skills. Provided both pupils and staff with knowledge about new resources and creative ideas. More carnival workshops? Yes And for any other comments? Thanks for the opportunity. The puppets are great and Emma worked very hard to make it a success so huge thanks to her! And importantly what did the children have to say… What was the Best thing about workshop? Making a cactus, performing in front of everyone, sticking paper on the sticks, making the willow circle. - The best thing about the puppet making was making the head.- To make something bigger than us!- It was really fun and interesting-That we got to work as a team to make a giant person and then control.- What could have been better? If we could have had more time and if we had more help to tidy up.- They come again- More space to make the puppet- Did you learn something new and what? How to work together to make a puppet.- Not to be next to people that are going to get me into trouble.- The puppet making was fun to do and we all learned something from it. Additional comments… I would like to thank Ms Kirk for arranging for us to make puppets- it was brilliant, thank you for the experience- Emma seemed skilful and was helpful. The above are all testimonials from St George school pupils, Teacher Ms Kirk and Artist Emma, many thanks from team SPC
Create your own Carnival costume/ Mask/Theme 2013: draw here Winning submissions will be featured in the next publication…
I trust you have found this Autumn/ Winter SPC Newsletter interesting, informative and exciting and not too heavy reading, I felt it important at this stage to ensure that SPC communicates openly with individuals, organisations and the community as a whole. We look forward to your feedback which will be well received. I would also like to take this opportunity to thank SPC staff members Steve Hunt and Abdul Hamid for the ongoing application of their knowledge, their hard work and dedication, with Respect and great Appreciation. Rebecca © 2012 St Pauls Afrikan Caribbean Carnival Ltd, The Coach House, Upper York Street, St Pauls, Bristol BS2 8QN Charity No 1136561 Company No 06116890 Phone: 0117 944 4176 Email: info@stpaulscarnival.co.uk Web: www.stpaulscarnival.co.uk