First published byPandaemonium Press2011

ISBN 978-1-904869-11-5

Growing Hearts and MindsJune 2010 to October 2011B arts – working creatively for change19 Barracks Square, Barracks Road, Newcastle-under-Lyme,Staffordshire, ST5 1LG

info@b-arts.org.uk01782 717326www.b-arts.org.uk

Edited by Hilary HughesPrinted by Wright’s (Sandbach) Limited www.wrightsprinters.comReport designed by Slave to Design www.slavetodesign.comPrinted on Evolution® Indigo uncoated, by Premier Paper Group

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or utilized in any form or by any means,electronic or mechanical without permission in writing from the publisher.

“One life is brief, but one thousand lives are longOne story may end, but one thousand stories will go on”

We Walk Together

Growing Hearts and Minds

“I only went out for a walk, and finally concluded to stay outtill sundown, for going out, I found, was really going in”John Muir (founder of US National Parks)

Growing Hearts and Minds was a B arts programme of artists’ residenciesthat brought people together through practical involvement in arts and culturalaction outdoors. The residencies took place in and around Northwood Parka Victorian pocket park surrounded by residential streets, a short walk fromthe City Centre in Stoke-on-Trent.

The independent charity Mind supported this programme through Ecominds;a Lottery funded initiative to reduce the stigma and misconceptions aroundmental health and to promote activity outdoors as a way to maintainwell-being.

B arts has always been a company that works outdoors - whether makingtheatre in country parks, carnivals on city streets, animation workshops onrecreation grounds, lantern workshops in car parks, or willow sculpture onallotments, outside works for us. So the work becomes visible; people walkingthrough the park can see that its happening, and approachable; there’s enoughspace around us that people can join in at their own pace, and they can stepaway when they need to.

What was different for us in Growing Hearts and Minds was that the contentof the work itself reflected the experience captured by John Muir; that beingoutside nurtured and nourished us, and that it is in and of itself good for us.

In Growing Hearts and Minds we gave people the time to look at the world,themselves and their neighbours differently; to see more, and to have waysto meet and to connect. This book captures what happened when we did that.

Over its eighteen-month life Growing Hearts and Minds has worked with over200 people and employed 6 artists. Together they have created walks, meals,gardens, theatre, written songs, fired pottery, knitted tree cosies, sculpteddeer, built kilns, printed textiles, made banners, taken photographs, laughed,told stories, cried, travelled, planted, explored, hidden, uncovered secrets, hadsurprises, been rained off, got wet, snowed in, shivered, caught the sun, givengifts, made pots, drunk a toast, fed the birds, looked carefully, listened,watched, chosen, drawn, made friends, and had a really good time.

Now, having started to read, we’d like you to close this book, and look up. Canyou see the sky from where you are? What’s the weather doing? Shouldn’t yoube out there – don’t worry about the time of day, or the weather, you can takethe book with you, maybe read it outside. Just go, who knows what you’ll find.

Susan Clarke © B arts December 2011

“this concrete jungle isn't for meI want to be out there living free”

Concrete Jungle

“You don’t know if youdon’t try, you mightbe better at it thanyou think”.

“Art has saved me in many ways,I can say that. It relaxes me, takesaway my worries and helps me forgeteverything else that’s been going on.”

Tip 1 Every week or so, take a photograph of a particular tree in your garden or local park.Over the course of the year you will be able to look at how the tree has changed.

25th October 2010 to 24th February 2011Anne started the Creative Walks with photography, setting a fresh theme foreach walk, focusing the observational skills of the walkers to look in detail attheir surroundings, viewing the same place from a different perspective eachtime. Anne worked with Brighter Futures, Changes and Northwood BroomCommunity Infants School on portrait photography, asking people to pull thefunniest face, making people laugh, asking people to think about how we makejudgments about looks, yet underneath we are all the same. The photographswere made into silk banners and projected onto the side of a building during100 Stories.

Anne Kinnaird

25th October2010 to 24thFebruary 2011Anne started theCreative Walkswithphotography,setting a freshtheme for eachwalk, focusingtheobservationalskills of thewalkers to lookdetail at theirsurroundings,viewing the sameplace from adifferentperspective eachtime. Anneworked withBrighterFutures, Changesand NorthwoodBroom CommunityInfants Schoolon portraitphotography,asking people topull thefunniest face,making peoplelaugh, askingpeople to thinkabout how wemake judgmentsabout looks, yetunderneath weare all thesame. Thephotographs weremade into tosilk banners andprojected ontothe side of abuilding during100 Stories.

“The world turnsOur lives revolve in stories”

The City Dissolves

Tip 2 Walking alone is good to help you think, but it can be a bit scary especially in open places whereno houses or people can be seen, or in the darker months, so try joining a walking group.

“Going down to thepark was different,wouldn’t usually dothat on my own”

“I’ve shut myself away in the past andnow when I look back I think about allthe fun things that I could’ve beendoing. Things that I’m doing now.”

20th January to 27th February 2011Martin worked with children, parents, and staff at Northwood BroomCommunity Infants School. In woodworking sessions children made doll sizedfigures from wood, branches and sticks, made drawings of strange creaturesthat may have lived in Stoke millions of years ago. These drawings inspired thedesign of a metal fire drum and were transformed into reality by apprenticemetalwork students at PM Training. Martin created animal sculptures usinghawthorn, ivy, willow, with children, adults at the Growthpoint allotment, theMandays group at the Observatory and at general sessions held in NorthwoodPark. All the work became part of an evocative ending for 100 Stories.

Martin Brockman

“Take a walk in the park in winterLeave your foot steps in the snow”

The Park in Winter

“You forget your problemswhen you are painting, youleave your worries behindand it gives you a sense ofpeace, it’s very hard todescribe, but its good.”

Tip 3 If the weather is really bad or you just don’t want to leave the house you can be creative at home.Copy from one of your photographs, use a library book image, and create an artistic representation of what you have seen.

“It’s easier to give up than to carryon when things are challenging –but that’s just letting yourselfdown. Work through it and itwill get better.”

“down the road is my escapeto find a peaceful place”

Concrete Jungle

“If you are down dosomething you enjoy,something to takeyour mind off things.”

Tip 4 Help others by volunteering on a project, it can make you feel good toknow you have helped people and it will help you feel better about yourself.

I like to try something differentand the feeling you get afterwardsgives you the biggest boost.”

20th February to 24th August 2011Simon travelled with a portable printing press to work with parent and toddlersin Penkhull Children’s Centre, Northwood Broom Community Infants School,adults at The American Clubhouse and The Observatory, including a specialOpen Day where prints were made using weeds from Devon and Stoke.These prints were transformed into bunting for the Harvest performance.

A creative evaluation session for the project artists held at the end ofSimon’s residency “Marking the Days” gave the artists time to discussdelivering community arts and health projects, the rewarding moments,the challenges, remembering to maintain a healthy work-life balance.The artists then turned these reflections into prints.

Simon Ripley

Tip 5 Start a new group. Maybe set up a new walking or a gardening group to take care of a part of your local park orgarden. Some groups don’t need any funding – you just need to meet in a public place to knit, talk, draw, sing.

“Music doesn’t care who youare, where you are from,what you look like, it just

wants to move you”.

“I felt so comfortable andrelaxed. Everyone was sofriendly, it made me feel

confident mixing with peopleI didn’t know but it felt like I’d

known them for years”

“Butterflies sensingA change in wind the wind”Ngikhuluekile (I Feel Free)

19th July to 24th August 2011Lesley’s residency was very much about the great outdoors, enhancing theCreative Walks in the summer by taking us along the canal paths and throughthe park to feel more connected with the plants and environment. Lesley wasable to tell people about the medicinal and folklore properties of plants andweeds. Lesley also worked closely with the art group at the Observatory,replanting the small garden and pots with fresh new bright plants and alsoworking on a fun scarecrow project. This involved printing t-shirts with acrylicpaints by pressing plants and leaves onto the surface, participants particularlyenjoyed the printing and the planting workshops.

Lesley Martin

“Colours of the sky, the beauty of the sunsets as the days lengthenThe shapes and movements of clouds Winter and summer are present together”

The City Dissolves

“He had to apply paint to aleaves, press them onto thefabric. It was a process that hecould easily manage and it gavehim satisfaction, you could tellthat it made him happy.”

“I’ve learnt how to knit,I’ve learnt a new skill, that’sso good. Since then I’ve beeninspired to make a phonesock and a scarf.”

Tip 6 If you’re feeling down or in a rut, try lifting your spirits with a change ofscenery, go for a walk, visit a friend or your local museum, art gallery, café.

13th September to 6th October 2011Rachel held friendly knitting sessions in the Northwood Bowling Club Housewhere people enjoyed a chat whilst sharing knitting and crochet skills. Theknitted panels made a colourful ‘tree cosy’ for the tree outside the clubhouse,creating an enchanting entrance to the Harvest event. A hundred transparentglobes were suspended from the branches, each globe housed a delicatehandmade paper bulb, created by children and parents at Grove Junior Schooland women at The Observatory. Rachel asked people to visualize themselvesas a plant bulb, with many hidden layers containing their ideas, dreams, hopes,fear, aspirations and if given time, patience and the right conditions to thrivethe bulb would blossom into a wonderful flower.

Rachel Grant

Tip 7 Take photographs of insects, birds and flowers on your walks. You could make analbum of your favourite photos, perhaps give photos to friends as a birthday present.

“I’d not done etching before, butI’m glad that I really enjoyed it.I’ve always fancied having a go,

I wondered how it was done.”

“Sometimes mistakes happen, it might change things a little

but sometimes it’s for thebetter, and nobody knows, so

don’t draw attention to it”.

23rd September to 28th October 2011Working this time with clay, Martin invited participants to make platters, cups,bowls, wheat and tiny bumble bees, to be used in Harvest. The terracotta potswere decorated in the Toft style, with motifs about harvest, the seasons, natureand good luck wishes for the future.

Sessions were hosted by the British Ceramics Biennial, and at NorthwoodBroom Community Infants School, St George and St Martin’s Catholic PrimarySchool, Grove Junior School and at B arts. The sessions at Grove Junior Schoolhelped the staff to use their brand new kiln. Students from Newcastle underLyme College volunteered at the Harvest show, supervising the beehive-shaped paper kilns, firing the tiny bees and wheat as gifts for the audience.

Martin Brockman

“I found working with clay veryrelaxing. Helping you to work thingsthrough in your mind.”

Tip 8 Art groups and creative community projects are a great way to meet newpeople and learn a new skill, all you need to do is turn up and enjoy yourself!

“It’s been great to see peopledevelop, he is getting a steady group of people coming along. It’s nice to see that happen,to see him enjoying that role.”

“Let the weeds grow through the cracks”Melissa’s Song

Stepping OutTo launch the programme B arts gathered support from the City Parksdepartment, assisted by the Area Implementation Team and local electedmember Cllr Kieren Clarke to transform a corner of the park. Working withusers of the Observatory we made the Fake Lake- a textile piece completewith koi carp, bulrushes and ripples, the Tiled Path, a ceramic installation,and used the railings as an exhibition space for works on canvas. The eventwas a triumph- our funky gardeners gave away plants, refreshments while“TV gardening star”, Dahlia Hedgecropper, planted a ceremonial buddleia,all despite the heavy rain.

Summer SchoolEvery year B arts offers the chance for people who would like to develop theirskills as artists, and collaborators, to spend three days together, devising andrealising original work. Growing Hearts and Minds gave us the perfect contextso 25 artists and emergent artists spent three days in August 2010 inNorthwood Park. We used the park as a starting point, listening to the sounds,finding settings, picking up objects and devising performed interpretations.The sharing event included lanterns, shadow puppets, music and performanceand ended with a wild collective and celebratory scattering of birdseed.

European WhispersIn 2009 B arts developed a partnership with seven European countries.European Whispers used an online space to share stories and to post creativeresponses, all complemented by exchange visits. People we met through thispartnership became involved in Growing Hearts and Minds, and vice versa.

In October 2010 three women, supported by Zoe Best from the Observatory,travelled to Norway. This experience transformed their lives - first airplaneflight, first trip that wasn’t a family holiday, and had a profound effect on thepeople they met. These impacts were captured in a reflective exhibition theparticipants made the following January.

“Music has channeled myemotions for as long as Ican remember, the goodtimes and the bad”.

“It felt like I should havethe grand children withme as an excuse to play,but why? Why not!”

Tip 9 Learn something new – if you see an unusual flower, insect, a beautiful bird in your garden,try to find out what it is? We have listed some resources at the back of this book that could help.

Thanks to:Staff and participants at Brighter Futures, especially people atThe Observatory, The Jam Factory, Chepstow House, TwentyFourSevenand The American Clubhouse.

Nick Broad, Northwood Parish Hall. Cllr Paul Breeze, Hanley One ResidentsAssociation. John Birch, Northwood Residents Association. Malcolm Hughes,Uddalsfield Allotment Association. Northwood Methodist Chapel.

Roy and Brenda and all the members of Northwood Park Senior Citizens Cluband Northwood Park Bowling Club.

Staff, pupils and families at Grove Junior School, Northwood BroomCommunity Infants School, St George and St Martins Catholic Primary School.

Philip Shemilt, Elise Butler and Prayesh Gohil, Federation of StadiumCommunities and the ‘Closer to Home, Circular Walks Network’. Katie Wrightand fellow creative walkers, NHS Combined Healthcare, Bucknall HospitalEarly Intervention Team. St Augustine’s creative walkers, The Cambrian Group.

Geoff, Annette, Phil and all the volunteers at Growthpoint allotment. TWOCCO.

Karen Poole, Waterside Residents Association. Jason Lilley & Philip Clarke Coachmakers Arms. Cheryl, Amy, Samiya, Richard and Fran and all other studentsat Newcastle under Lyme College. PM Training. Galaxy group, Stoke PRIDE and LGBT Network. Changes.Staffordshire University Creative Communities Unit. Chloe Brown, Barney Hare Duke, British Ceramics Biennial. Penkhull Children’s Centre. Artisan Studios.Pauline Withington, Andrew Mayer, Stephen Appleton, Janet Simpson Stoke on Trent City Council.

And a big thanks to all the knitters, gardeners, dancers, potters, students,photographers, cooks, waiters, waitresses, stewards, creative walkers,performance cast, rigging crew, musicians, and all round brilliant volunteers.

PhotographersSteve Cooling, Hilary Hughes, Tony Jones, Deborah Nicklin, Anne Kinnaird,Matt Ollerhead, Behjat Abdulla, Alan Barrett, Russell Barton-Taylor,John Kirkham, Josie Griffin, Paul Nicklin, Zuzanna Wojda and Nicola Gater. “quiet culverts grow lawns of fireweed and dandelions

secret pathways through the city”The City Dissolves

Tip 10 Sometimes we take things for granted, we ignore the beauty that surrounds useveryday. Try setting yourself things to look or listen out for on your way to the shops.

“I really enjoyed the printingwith the leaves onto the fabric, I found it relaxing and exciting at the same time.”

“Once you’ve done something youcan do it again and it get’s easier.”

10th November 2010 to 9th December 2011Aidan’s sessions ran throughout the whole programme, participants wereinterested in developing existing music skills whilst others wanted to trysomething new, songwriting, percussion and singing. A steady group ofparticipants worked with Aidan and Steve during the project from, The JamFactory and arts group at The Observatory, people from Changes - anotherlocal mental health support group and people from a Zimbabwean communitygroup TWOCO. The music sessions created songs for a series of performances,Frost, Spring, 100 Stories, and Harvest, with participants performing live infront of audiences of up to 100 people. The residency also included timein a recording studio to create a CD.

Aidan Jolly

It was twenty years ago today that Sergeant Pepper taught the band to play,but we have only had one year to create the songs on this CD. Some of us hadnever played an instrument or performed in public before, and the rest of usare still learning all the time! The songs express the complex relationshipbetween the changing seasons, the environment we live in and the strong rootsthat people have with the history and communities of Stoke. They were written,mostly collectively, in a series of conversations provoked by Aidan and Steve onthese themes. These took place at the Observatory, Changes and TWOCO, andalso at the various performances we did as the songs and the band took shape.It’s unlikely that you’ll see or hear anything of this nature on the X-Factor – and for that we are profoundly thankful!

We hope you enjoy listening to them as much as we have enjoyed creatingthem, if anyone wants to take them and sing them somewhere else, please do.

The Northwood Park Scratch Band – On this CD:Steve Cooling – percussion, rockabilly guitarAdam Fenn - mandolinJosie Griffin – spoken voiceAidan Jolly – guitars, bazouki, symphonie, keyboards, vocals, melodica,gadgets and programmingErnest Kanoyerera - vocalsDanny Cabrale Mahlanze - vocalsSheena McDonagh - vocalsGift Moyo – vocals and percussionJames Peake – guitars, bodhran, and vocalsLauren Styles - vocalsClinton Taylor – harmonicas, violinSibanda Thembie - vocals

Interviews from various members of the participating groups.Park ambiences recorded in Northwood Park at variety of times of year.

Augmented live on occasion by:Jamie Davies - Trumpet, Barney Dawson - Guitar, Joe Fleming – Accordionand snare, Angus Glen - Keyboards, Hilary Hughes – Big Bass Drum,Holly Lucas – Bass, ukelele

With extra material contributed by:Kay Garbett, Mary Freackley, Phil Sargent, Susan Clarke and Ben McManus.

Thanks to:Zoe Best, Paul Warrillow, Steve Rhead, Emma Brown, Steve, Greg StephensKate Barfield, The Clay Chorus, Deborah Jandles, Shaswar Mohamad, MaripazThe Observatory, TWOCO, Changes, Wayne Lucas and Artisan Studios.

Mental Health and other support

Brighter Futures provides support to adults who require extra help to liveindependent and fulfilled lives. Brighter Futures are experienced in helpingpeople whose health, employability and social skills have been impoverishedby the impact of living in deprived areas and on low incomes.

Brighter Futures Clubhouse Network can help you to meet new people andmaybe do something creative at The Observatory or one of their other venuesin North Staffordshire. Call the 01782 835220

Smartmoves can help you if you are worried that you might loose your home.Give them a call on 01782 202980

Echo Support Group is there for you if you are at risk of harming yourself.They can offer you support, a safe place to talk and people who understandhow you feel. Call 01782 683192

Staffordshire Mental Health Helpline can help you if you are feeling worried,anxious, low, overwhelmed and need someone to talk to. Call 0808 800 2234(7pm - 2am weekdays and 2pm – 2am weekends)

Samaritans is a confidential emotional support service. The service is available24 hours a day for people who are experiencing feelings of distress or despair,including those which may lead to suicide. Call 08457 909090

Mind Drop in Centre – Hanley, provides a warm and friendly environment inwhich to participate in complementary therapy and games an opportunity tomeet new friends. Tues evening 6.00pm until 9.00pm. Call 01782 262100

Changes Young People ServiceChanges provides young persons mutual help support groups for 11 -25 year olds, promoting the recovery of young people in mental distress.Call for further information 01782 413355

Dove Service provides counseling for people affected by bereavement orillness, their friends and family. Drop in Tuesdays 4.00pm-6.00pm for allages. Outreach services available. Call 01782 683155 for information:Monday - Friday 9.00am - 5.00pm and Tuesdays until 8.00pm

WalkingFor news about the Creative walking programme and plans for new walksin 2012 contact the Clubhouse Network at Brighter Futures on 01782 237811.This walking group is ideal for who want to take a very gentle exercise in asupportive friendly group.

The Circular Walks Closer to Home Network has walks for all ages andgroups of people, including parent and toddler groups, senior citizens, localcommunities, fitness walks and general walks. They can be found on theNatural England website http://www.wfh.naturalengland.org.uk or call theFederation of Stadium Communities 01782 831900

What’s that bird? Make note of it’s size and colour then use this informative and fun to usewebsite www.rspb.org.uk/wildlife/birdidentifier

What type of tree is that? Use this useful interactive website from the Natural History Museumwww.nhm.ac.uk/nature-online/british-natural-history/urban-tree-survey/identify-trees/tree-key

Do you want to be creative, perform, volunteer in community projects?Do you want to start a new creative project in your local area but needhelp in organising and finding funds?Contact B arts www.b-arts.org.uk 01782 717326

Down To The Roots01 Russian Rustic (fairground version) – melody, Angus, arr. Aidan02 Coal And Clay – melody, Angus, words Observatory03 The Park In Winter – melody, Angus, words Observatory04 Concrete Jungle – words, Josie05 The City Dissolves – words and melody, Josie, Steve, Aidan06 Foxes – written for ‘Harvest’ by Aidan, Susan and Lauren07 Focus On Colour – words and melody, Ben McManus08 It’s No Joke (Living In Stoke) - Changes09 Russian Rustic (band version) – melody, Angus, arr NPB10 A Tree With No Leaves – written by Aidan after a conversation with Josie11 I Feel Free (Ngikhululekile) - TWOCO12 We Walk Together – written for ‘100 Stories’, melody trad. Spanish, words Aidan13 Coal And Clay (Northwood Park Rubber Band version) – melody, Angus, arr. Aidan

Arrangements mostly by the Northwood Park Band;recorded in Mossley (near Manchester) and at Artisan Studios (Newcastle)November and December 2011; production and mixing by Aidan

Full lyrics to the songs can be downloaded from:www.growingheartsandminds.org.uk

01782 633222

“Does the story change or does it stay the same?”It’s No Joke (Living in Stoke)

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