Victoria Park café

Anew community café opens in Victoria Park this month, offering a welcome space for people to come together over simple, delicious food and drinks. The café menu offers a variety of options, including vegan and gluten-free choices, and will be continually developed with feedback from park users using locally sourced suppliers.

The café’s mission goes beyond just serving food, drinks and ice creams. The team are passionate about building a strong and inclusive community in the park. By building a shelter up by the café, they hope to create a hub where people from diverse backgrounds can connect and engage in meaningful conversations.

“We believe that a warm cup of something nice and a nibble of cake have the power to bring people together whilst fostering a sense of community. Our goal is to create a space where everyone feels welcome and included.” www.victoriaparkcafe.org

The café team will be building a range of community programmes while also supporting events that get people active and engaged in the park, and are very open to connecting with providers or community groups who would like to collaborate. Whether you’re wanting an early morning coffee when walking your dog, a place to meet friends and grab a quick bite or an afternoon cream tea while the children play, the new community café has something for everyone. So why not stop by and experience its welcoming atmosphere for yourself?

Email: contactcultivatingcommunity@gmail.com

Black Swan Arts

Black Swan Arts’ popular Young Open returns to the gallery from 4th March to 16th April. One hundred and fifty brilliant artworks by young people aged between five and nineteen years were selected from over three hundred pieces entered. All the work is being exhibited in the Long Gallery and Round Tower. There will be an art trail over the Easter holidays and an activity table so that children (and adults) can produce their own artwork to display.

Winners from each age category were chosen by judges Nick Fraser, Frank Goffey and Amy Yates. There is one more prize to be won. This is chosen by visitors to the gallery who can vote for their favourite piece to win the People’s Choice Award. Those voting will be entered into a prize raffle to win a River House café voucher. Don’t miss out on this fabulous opportunity to see the wonderful young talent on display – it is uplifting and inspiring in every way.