Vocalise Spring 2024

VOCALISE

Welcome!

Welcome to the special spring edition of Vocalise, the community magazine at the heart of St. Paul's, St. Agnes, St. Werburhgs and Montpelier.

As both a founder and director of Vocalise and Diverse Artists Network I have guided the team to combine the work of both in this edition.

Diverse Artists Network have been busy planning a festival called DIASPORA! and the programme is featured in the middle pullout section (page 13-16) so you can put in on your wall or carry it about as you want. Please make sure that you check the programme for any updates and new events online by scanning the QR on page 13 or on www.diverseartistsnetwork.com.

Theres lot's of information about DIASPORA! in the magazine and we hope that you will be as excited as the team of DIASPORA! are and be able to catch some of it over this May bank holiday weekend. There are still opportunities to volunteer so drop an email to diasporafestival.engagement@gmail.com to find out ways.

Vocalise has been serving the community for 8 years and as with many good things, there comes a time for change. We have been considering the future of the magazine, how it can serve more people, have a bigger impact and we have some exciting ideas and suggestions to explore, continuing to feature arts, wellbeing, environment and community but perhaps having a wider reach. Whatever the future holds for Vocalise, our goal is to continue to provide a quality magazine free of charge and full of inspiring and useful information, representing the rich diversity and wonderful cultures of Bristol.

This is YOUR community magazine if you’d like to be involved get in touch!

info@vocalisemagazine.org

vocalisemagazine.org

@vocaliseBristol

@vocaliseBristol

Published by:

Vocalise Bristol CIC

Backfields House

Upper York Street

Bristol

BS2 8QJ

Co-ordinated and designed by: Julia Widz

Thanks to all our volunteers and directors.

Vandna Mehta (Founder)

Judit Davis (Director)

Hilary Finch (Director)

Julia Widz (Project Coordinator)

Ian Jones

Lucille Smith

Bob Lawson

Diverse Artists Network team

Also special thanks to all our contributors.

Front cover: Diaspora! by Jade Harding

Vectors

Vocalise Bristol CIC

Introducing...

DIASPORA! is a new arts festival for Bristol and the South West. Taking place from 3 - 6 May, it aims to showcase and better reflect the variety of talent within the region’s cultural communities.

Developed, produced and presented by the Diverse Artists Network (DAN), supported by Arts Council England, West of England Combined Authority, Quartet Community Foundation, and Bristol City Centre Busi ness Improvement Districts, this inaugural festival will showcase artists from marginalised diasporas.

There’s also a focus on community engagement through the festival’s Opening and Closing Ceremonies, the Flag Up Your Identity project, and a DIASPORA! poetry competition, the results of which will be announced very soon! Visit diverseartistsnetwork.com for details.

Why is it happening?

DIASPORA! 2024: Celebrating Cultural Diversity Through the Arts

The ultimate aim of the festival is to create a more connected region through cultural exchanges, new artistic works, job opportunities and talent retention. In this way, DIASPORA! will help to redress the London-centric bent of the creative industries.

Come and join the fun!

Working in collaboration with iconic venues and community initiatives, DIASPORA! is set to be a vibrant celebration of music, film, poetry, dance, storytelling and much more!

Ruth Pitter, Deasy Bamford, Vandna Mehta, initiators for Diaspora! festival

16% of the South West is made up of people from the global majority (as reported by Rising Arts Agency and Bristol City Council), but the region’s cultural output doesn’t reflect that. Building on six years of DAN’s artistic community development, DIASPORA! seeks to better reflect the region’s cultural diversity by platforming artists from marginalised communities.

Do you want to promote your business or event? Vocalise reaches over 10,000 residents per issue.

Do you want to support your local area? Vocalise has the community at its heart

Ancient Wisdom Modern

Post Traumatic Growth for Women at Risk

collated by Bob Lawson with Vital Beats

Two Women coming together harnessing their many musical and healing skills to create a cutting-edge integrative Arts organisation to facilitate therapeutic interventions for primarily Women at Risk in the South West.

VITAL BEATS began working in HMP Eastwood Park women’s prison in 2015. They have devised a hugely successful model using Drum, Reflective Practice and Song. VITAL BEATS have worked diligently and consistently on the PIPE (psychologically informed planned environment) sharing these practices with Women diagnosed with borderline personality disorder, serving extended sentences. Partnering with several organisations. VITAL BEATS have also supported Women who have experienced the criminal justice system for a variety of reasons. Some are Women who have lost custody of their children, Women escaping abusive relationships seeking refuge in Women's centres across the South West, Women in recovery from drug addictions and many more. VITAL BEATS have shared their Artforms with refugee groups, feminine gatherings, mental health support groups, festival attendees, general community, but first and foremost their work prioritises, and they are honoured to work with the most marginalized and at-risk women in our society.

VITAL BEATS has just become a Charity in recognition of the services they provide. Down to themselves and their devoted trustees, and after three rounds of Arts Council Funding, they are now officially a CIO (Charitable Incorporated Organisation). Finally validating all their hard work, devotion and dedication over many years and proving themselves to have a high and consistent standard of excellence within potentially highly challenging environments like the criminal justice system.

Take a look at their website for lots of info https://vital-beats.com/

Both Artists have worked on the Bristol and London Arts scene individually, together and with other collaborators for many years. Creating bespoke workshops catering to the individual needs of their clients.

VITAL BEATS as a team have created a synergy that has a naturally positive and uplifting effect. Hearts open as they share their sheer love of the art of music making. The experience can be transformative as the sound waves are absorbed within the body. I’ve experienced their sessions in a variety of circumstances and one always walks or skips or dances away from them, all the better for crossing their paths.

So it is particularly auspicious that we get to feature VITAL BEATS in this particular edition of Vocalise as we start to roll out as Bristol's Grass Roots Arts Culture & wellbeing magazine along with our usual great local features. As VITAL BEATS have recently gained charitable status they have the 'Wellbeing, Arts & Culture' stamp all over them.

"It is a natural birthright for human beings to take part in soul enriching activities. VITAL BEATS are privileged to be able to initiate this work and use ancient Art forms as a unique, Vital and powerful tool to help transform the lives of Woman in the Criminal justice system"

VITAL BEATS have a trauma informed approach when creating their workshops. Socially creative activities form an important part of the rehabilitation process for incarcerated women who's needs for rehabilitation are too often

Kirby (on the left) and Chloe (on the right) are Vital Beats.

neglected within the penal system. VITAL BEATS can adapt their delivery model to suit a variety of settings and audiences.

Vital Beats are keen to work with other charities & Artists interested in supporting Women at risk. They have some exciting NEW collaborations taking place in the coming months. These include designing a new Artistic pedagogy to incorporate visual arts into their delivery model as well as building on their poetry, songwriting and rhythmic workshops.

Message from Vital Beats “We're really open to anyone who wants to volunteer for us, invest in or sponsor us - there’s a donate button on the website!’

Looking forward into 2024 & beyond, Kirby & Chloe aim to expand this work to other Women's prisons in the UK as well as finding new Vital Beats practitioners. If you think that's you then please email your CV to vitalbeats8@ gmail.com. Woven in is their inspired nonjudgmental way of delivering this MEDICINE. They also envelop participants in & out of the CJS, with absolute unconditional joy & laughter which they simply ooze. Real heartfelt laughter that reaches your soul. Which I think is a big part of the success they are finding which does truly make them cutting edge! Producing Beats that are Vital - in my experience!

Vital Beats have recently opened their dance strand and welcomed Penny!

A well established dance practitioner, part of the fabric of Bristols cultural Arts scene who participants describe as ‘Pure Sunshine!’ Freedom soul dance on insta.

Amongst a fine selection of other female performers ranging over many disciplines. From singer/songwriters, composers, vocalists.

Panny Marie A Ceremonialist a Counsellor & Choreographer. Percussionists & Dancers & Drummers. For more info https://vital-beats. com/vital-beatsperformers/

CHLOE the songstress offers singing classes. She stirs sound out of a person extracting noises you would never expect to be conjured out of yourself during her warm ups. Pulling out your inner voice whether the individual is just finding their voice or are already singing and are after more technical advice. She offers sessions called Creative Catalyst. 3 X 1.5 hour one to one singing sessions to inspire and catalyze your vocal journey of expression! https://vital-beats.com/one-to-one-singingsessions-with-chloe/

For simply years, whether in London or Bristol, Kirby has been running weekly drum sessions for all peoples who want to feel good through Drumming. She blends her own dynamic compositions with meditative heartbeat rhythms and a lot of laughter. An eclectic group of people come together on a Tuesday night around the circle of light she creates. All abilities are welcome. Also on Move GB.

https://vital-beats.com/weekly-drum-class/ New and reformed performance bands are the 6 piece VITAL BEATS London Collective (A.K.A Cascada) & the 6 piece VITAL BEATS Bristol Collective (Tolo Ko Tolo) both groups feature dazzling all Female lineups banging out the tunes with a force to shake up the planet and offer waves of healing to everybody.

The VB Bristol Collective will perform at the closing ceremony of Bristol's new festival DIASPORA! on Monday 6th May at 4pm not to be missed!

Malcolm X Elders Forum

Malcolm X Elders Forum began in 1990 with just 11 people who felt there was nowhere for elders to socialise, by first providing coffee mornings. It has now developed into a 65 strong membership with a wide variety of activities making the Elders Forum a diverse and vibrant community in the heart of St Paul’s. The group aims to improve the quality of life for people over 50, represent the views of older people, have activities that will alleviate isolation and raise awareness of relevant support organisations.

They meet these aims by providing a wide range of activities such as dance exercise, sewing, art for wellbeing, Tai Chi, IT tuition and drama.

A delicious hot meal is provided for a small cost at lunchtime and the members go on several day trips every year to places like Weymouth, Teignmouth, Birmingham market, Swansea and Abergavenny. The club hosts an annual community Caribbean meal and also an event to celebrate Black History Month featuring music from the Bristol Reggae Orchestra and guest speakers.

They try to raise awareness of different health conditions and support that is available for these in the community by inviting health professionals to give talks.

written by Laura Hamilton

They also participate in relevant research projects from UWE and Bristol University if members will benefit from being involved.

‘I enjoy my sewing classes and the relaxation it brings and the social activities give me a chance to meet other people. ‘The food is really, really good!’

The elders play an active role in both the local and wider communities and take part in many special events. For example last year they played a central role in the relaunch of St Paul’s Carnival. They also participated in a wide range of celebrations for the 75th Anniversary of the arrival of the Windrush as well as the 60th anniversary of the Bristol Bus Boycott.

The club always welcomes new members of any background. It cost £4.00 per year to join, then £1.50 subs per week and they meet at the main hall of the Malcolm X Centre, 141 City Road, St Pauls, Bristol, BS2 8YH. For further information, you can leave a message with Malcolm X Reception on 0117 9554497. You can also email gloriawatson@hotmail.org.uk.

Information on joining and the other two clubs in the Elders Project – the Evergreen club and Golden Agers club, both based in Easton, please leave a message for Laura Hamilton. Project Manager at Alive activities. Tel: 0117 3774756 and she will get in touch with you to answer any questions you may have and arrange a visit to the club.

St. Paul's Dentist Update

Were you part of making St Paul's History on Monday February 5th?

These photos are from the reopening of St Paul's Dentists by SGA dental care. 1500 enrolments were made in 2 days by the people who turned out in all weathers queuing for up to 8 hours in hope of getting an NHS dentist!

Enrolments are now continuing online only., so please send an email and be patient as there is now a long list to work through. The dentists have been working up to 7 days a week, determined to try and treat as many people as possible and say things are going very well so far.

It's Great to see some Good News for our area, especially in a time of so many NHS dentist closures around the country. This was a BUPA dentist until closing in June 2023. Ours was one of 81 closures made by BUPA around the country last year alone. It's a great victory that we are the Only one to have reopened! We'll be talking about how that was achieved in the next edition.

Honouring the Bristol Bus Boycott

Proudly curated by Curiosity UnLtd, the second year of the Bristol Bus Boycott 360 Takeover returns from April 10th until October. With a spotlight on the 60th anniversary of Paul Stephenson's one-person sit-in of the Bay Horse Pub, we also celebrate when the Boycott began and ended. It will also honour the people involved, its impact, and its legacy.

The Bristol Bus Boycott 360 Takeover is a citywide initiative with fellow change-making partners. It includes exhibitions, walks, talks, and high-profile celebratory events. It features outdoor screenings, an outdoor art exhibition, murals, plaque unveilings, and flag-making workshops. We'll be touring the schools, releasing our research findings and screening a world premiere of our new music video. There will also be a citywide social media takeover, and we will even recreate the Bristol Bus Boycott march on Paul Stephenson's birthday.

For those who cherish heritage, enjoy walking, and relish the opportunity to rediscover their city whilst meeting new people, we invite you to join us for Walks4Change on May 5th or 6th.

written by Julian Davis

This immersive guided tour offers a truly unique opportunity to walk a mile in the shoes of the Bristol Bus Boycott pioneers. From busts, plaques, murals, and exhibitions to outdoor films, a pint with the pioneers on May 5th, and a march to celebrate Paul Stephenson's birthday on May 6th, Walks4Change promises an exhilarating and unforgettable experience. Proudly delivered in partnership with Bristol WalkFest and Diaspora Fest, places are limited, and only a few remain, so book yours today.

Do you have a passion for doodling, drawing, or design and believe a picture can speak 1000 words? If so, we invite you to enter our Designs4Change competition. In collaboration with Clear Channel UK, Curiosity UnLtd offers 3 designers the transformative opportunity to see their creations featured on bus stops across Bristol for a year. The competition is open to all ages and skill sets, emphasising our firm belief in the power of creativity to drive change. The competition closes on July 11th, so seize your chance to make a difference through your art.

Go to www.CuriosityUnLtd.com to learn more about Bristol Bus Boycott Takeover 360, book tickets for Walks4Change, enter Designs4Change, or register for the march.

The Wolves of Eternity by Karl-Ove Knausfigaard

Book review by: Andrew Rilstone

Junction 3 Library

If I told you that a new star had appeared in the sky and dead people were coming back to life, you'd probably think that The Wolves of Eternity was a science fiction story -or maybe a zombie yarn.

You'd be quite wrong. Norwegian author Karl Ove Knausgaard made his name writing a four-thousand page novel about the tiny details of his own life -- the cups of coffee he drinks, the cigarettes he smokes and the prawns he has for tea. This latest book turns its attention to the equally trivial details of the lives of a group of fictional characters. The apocalyptic stuff is very firmly in the background.

We spend a large proportion of the novel's eight hundred pages with a young man named Syvert, as he worries about his Mum's illness, takes his kid brother swimming and plucks up courage to ask a girl out. Syvert lost his dad some years ago in a car accident, and is surprised to find a surviving letter written in Russian. But we also follow the career of a Russian academic, with whom Syvert turns out to have a surprising (but perhaps not very surprising) connection.

You either "get" Knausgaard or you don't. I devoured this enormous book in one weekend, and am counting the days until someone translates volume three into English. It's a bit like watching a super-intense reality TV show, or a very

gripping soap opera -- with added science and philosophy.

As another reviewer remarked: “even when he’s boring, he’s interesting.

Kickboxing in St. Werburghs

written by Lucille Smith

I have always fancied having a go at a martial art, and felt unreasonably disappointed in my parents for not having signed me us as a child. So, obviously, I signed my daughter up for baby kung fu at the earliest opportunity and looked forward to the day when we could go together to the over 12s class. Of course, she gave up when she was 11.

Sometime after this, I bumped into a friend in St Werburghs community centre who was waiting for her daughter to come out of a kickboxing class. My interest was piqued, and I peeked through the glass in the door and saw all these women running around the room. Women of different ages and shapes and sizes wearing different coloured belts and who could, presumably, defend themselves if they had to. I wanted a bit of that.

The following week, I just rocked up. Sarer, the amazing teacher and leader of Bristol Wutan, was very nice about the fact that I hadn't contacted her in advance, she just said 'fortune favours the brave' and I was up and running.

(Ideally do contact Sarer first if you would like to join the class, that way she can ensure you can start at the same time as other beginners).

The needless intimidation I feel about the other women was short lived, everyone was really friendly, and someone was appointed to show me what to do more slowly as Sarer took us through kicking and punching drills.

The classes are a combination of drills, toning, fitness, sparring and preparing for grading. Working towards the belts (I am currently a brown belt so I tell people that I am one away from black, but actually, there are 3 levels of brown, so I am a way off) appeals to me because I like the sense of progression, but you never have to grade if you don't feel ready.

Sarer has been teaching kickboxing, kung fu, Tai chi, and Chi gung for over 30 years and has trained many regional instructors, she founded a Branch of Wutan in Nottingham as well as Bristol. Sarer decided to start a women's-only class because she wanted part of her teaching week to be dedicated to women only. Sarer explains, “I’ve been teaching Women’s Kickboxing for 28 years and taught a lot of women how to carry themselves with confidence and use self-defence if they should need it”. One of her students said, 'It's more than a class, it's a safe space.'

There is something empowering about training alongside other women in the inclusive and supportive environment that Sarer has created within the class. We all support each other, and I am grateful to have met some great people whose paths I probably would not have crossed otherwise.

As one of my sparring partners said, 'I wouldn't want to sweat in front of anyone outside of this room!'

Kickboxing is the only exercise that I have ever committed to doing every week. If I miss a week, or there is a bank holiday it feels like something is missing. The impact goes beyond the physical benefits. The combination of the camaraderie, the format of the class - which ensures you never catch yourself looking at the clock, and Sarer's passion for the art she has dedicated her life to sharing, make for a transformational class which leaves you feeling more confident and powerful.

Classes take place every Monday from 7-8pm, St Werburghs Community Centre, Horley Road, St Werburghs. Tel. 07759 583688.

Visit www.bristol-wutan.co.uk to find out more.

WORKSPACE AS IT SHOULD BE

Book a viewing now:

W: www.ethicalproperty.co.uk/ office-space/bristol/streamline

T: 0117 916 6459

Thoughts from an Oldie

It’s late Friday night, just after midnight, so technically Saturday and I hear an argument going on outside the local pub so have a look to make sure they are not damaging each other. It’s an old man leaning on his walking stick and a younger woman arguing about something at full volume. He’s shouting at her to piss off and she carries on regardless, twenty minutes of mutual abuse then silence before they are at it again.

Life in St Werburgh’s – the first sounds I’m conscious of from my flat two floors up above Mina Road on Monday mornings is the bin men out at 5.30 or 6’sh. Who knew they were out that early? What on earth time do they have to get up? They are followed later seemingly most days by the delivery trucks to and from the Farm pub and the Miners Arms, kids laughing and chatting going to, then walking back from Fairfield School around 3.30. Dog walkers, cars the odd motor bike, people chatting, Mums and Dads walking kids with the young ones invariably walking along the

written by Hilary Finch

top of the wall. People out and about to shop, going to the launderette, Post Office or the park. Village life compared to living on Ashley Road where the students played loud boom boom music seemingly for ever and my view from the living room was restricted to the cars parked outside my window.

Other sounds of life exist. Ambulance sirens in the distance, helicopters heading to the hospital or checking on some situation happening somewhere. It’s all going on as I live my life doing my chores, sewing, painting, watching and listening to local and world news in this broken world. Kids and knives, men killing their wives, wars, strife and starvation. Fires, floods, political rows. Then I watch the ravens here fly around and the seagulls screaming at each other and I am so thankful for my warm flat where I feel safe and can afford to live.

It’s gone quiet outside the Miners Arms then the cheerful sounds of chatting and laughter as customers head home. Peace returns and I head for bed as the last cars and a noisy motorbike go home and I lie in the dark listening to the quiet and drift off to sleep.

The team...

Meet the incredible all-women team bringing DIASPORA! to fruition.

Vandna Mehta Artistic Director and Festival Co-founder

Deasy Bamford Festival Co-founder

Ruth Pitter Festival Co-founder

Kiara Corales Community Engagement and Volunteer Coordinator

Jess Neill Festival Producer

Ruth Ramsay Flag Up Your Identity Project Lead

Yoma Smith Marketing and Communications Consultant

Saliha Clarke Digital Marketing Lead

Giulia Bernacchi Communications Coordinator Morayo Omogbenigun Administrator

Penny Marie Dances of Diaspora Coordinator

Flag Up Your Identity is one of DIASPORA!’s community engagement projects running during the weeks leading up to the festival weekend.

For the last two months, our small but fantastic team of artist facilitators have been delivering flag making workshops, where people can make flags that celebrate themselves, their identity, and their heritage. It’s a great chance for people to get creative and share who they are with the city of Bristol.

People have made a wide variety of flags ranging from colourful paper bunting, to intricate textile flags and large collective banners. Take a look at our beautiful DIASPORA! banner made by the talented Ruth Ramsay, and some other flags made at our workshops.

Don’t forget to bring your flags to the Opening and Closing Ceremonies and flag up your identity!

We’ve worked with lots of different venues and organisations throughout Bristol to deliver flag making sessions including Trinity Centre, Royal West of England Academy (RWA), Arnolfini, Sparks Broadmead, Greenway Centre, Filwood Community Centre, St. Werburghs Community Centre, Hartcliffe Children’s Centre, Julian House, Refugee Women of Bristol, The Bristol Commons, and Creative Youth Network.

There will be a flag making workshop during the festival weekend at Bristol Museum & Art Gallery on Saturday 4 May. It’s free and all materials will be provided. We hope to see you there.

© Courtesy of Tim Lytc and Trans Portraits UK

We had a few questions for dance artist Tim Lytc, who’s taking part in the very first DIASPORA!

How old were you when you left Hong Kong? I left Hong Kong when I was 17 and came to the UK for boarding school.

What was it like coming to live in the UK?

I didn’t quite realise what an impact it would have, how lonely I would be. My whole support network was half a world away and I had to build a new one. There was also the instability that came from living on temporary visas, as well as all the cultural differences. I just had this sense I don’t belong here, feeling so different from the people around me.

I spent a lot of time trying to assimilate, which didn’t really help. It was only when I made a conscious effort to find other people from migrant backgrounds that I started to

DIASPORA presents... Tim Lytc

build a new network for myself. Belonging is something you can create, you just have to find your people.

Can you describe your relationship with dance?

I’ve been dancing since before I can remember - I started when I was three. I did ballet from then until my mid-teens, but the environment was very restrictive. I was in one of the bigger ballet schools and the pressure to be a certain weight was so unhealthy. In the end, I took up contemporary dance.

Dance has always been an emotional outlet for me. I love it and I couldn’t live without it. It’s so good for you physically, emotionally, psychologically... I really love bringing the joy of dance to people who haven’t experienced it before.

How does it feel to be taking part in the first DIASPORA!

I’m honestly so happy DIASPORA! is happening - I’ve always seen work by Diverse Artists Network, but never been directly involved. I don’t think words can describe the feeling of witnessing underrepresented creatives taking up space in this country. It makes me think of a friendly, sprawling creature, sharing its creative joy with each and every corner of the city.

You can find Tim during the DIASPORA! weekend on Saturday 4 May, where they’ll be leading a Moving Through Sensing workshop, 1.30-3pm, at the Chapter House in Bristol Cathedral, BS1 5TJ

DIASPORA presents...

Dennison Joseph

We had a few questions for Dennison Joseph, the Tai Chi teacher and Talisman frontman taking part in the very first DIASPORA!

Where were you born?

I was born in Aruba, spent some time in Trinidad, then moved to Dominica when I was four. Our family came to England when I was ten.

Did you come straight to Bristol?

We arrived in Southampton late at night, in July of 1963. A guy called Mackie came to pick us up and drove us over to Bristol. Every half hour of that three-hour journey I’d think, is this where we’re going to live? A lot of the houses we passed were big and spacious like the houses in the Caribbean. Eventually we stopped outside a house on Ashley Road, our new home. I was so disappointed… I missed my old yard with its fruit trees in the garden.

rehearsals on Lower Ashley, Brighton or Grosvenor Road. When they took a break I’d run in and jump on the drums - I’ve always had a thing about drums.

A boyfriend of my sister used to come round and teach our brother guitar (although he really just came to see her). I took the opportunity to learn the licks he showed my brother when he left his guitar while they went to the Bamboo Club.

Do you think of yourself as British or Caribbean?

I think of myself as a citizen of the world.

How did you get into music?

Music is everywhere in the Caribbean. My mum had a radiogram - we listened to a lot of merengue from Cuba, and American music too. I loved country music, all the harmonies. I had a sweet voice so my mum sometimes thought it was one of my sisters when I sang.

There were lots of bands practising in St Pauls when I was younger. I would stand outside

When did you start playing in bands?

The first band I played with was called The Panthers, made up of friends from British Aerospace and Rolls Royce. We supported Bob Marley and Johnny Nash on the Stir it Up tour at a club called Top Rank, opposite Bridewell Station.

Talisman was formed in 1979 and broke up in 1985. In that time we supported the likes of The Clash, Burning Spear and The Rolling Stones. We reformed after a 25-year break. Five years ago, when our singer went his own way, I took up singing and bass.

You also teach Tai Chi - is there a crossover here with the arts?

Definitely - both disciplines come from a deeply internal place. To create art you need to be still within yourself, and the same is true of Tai Chi.

Catch Dennison during the DIASPORA! weekend on Friday 3 May. From 2pm-3pm he’ll be taking his usual Tai Chi class at St Werburghs Community Centre, BS2 9TJ (£3). Then playing with Talisman at The Canteen, 10.30pm-11.45pm, supported by tunes from Rubba Riddims (free entry).

© Courtesy of Dennison Joseph

Dances of DIASPORA

from Penny Marie

I am so happy to have become part of the Diverse Artists Network team. I have joined as an apprentice Dance Coordinator for the pilot project Dances of Diaspora.

This is a wonderful bringing together of different cultures around the world to showcase their traditional and cultural dances, and to join together in a dance of unity at the Closing Ceremony on 6 May, at College Green.

As well as being part of the team I will be running a workshop and performance of Freedom Soul Dance at The Trinity. We also have an exciting reforming of the all female dance and drumming company Tolo Ko Tolo which will be performing as the finale of the Closing Ceremony.

Dance has taken me all over the world and I love to bring the joy of dance to others which inspired me to create Freedom Soul Dance. My ethos is for people to be able to express their inner selves through the joy of movement.

A big highlight for me this year is a video that I filmed on the plinth is now part of the permanent exibition Protest and Racial Injustice at the M Shed. It feels like such an honour to be part of Bristol’s history. Artist Emma Allen is working on bringing this to life through virtual reality, which audiences will be able to experience during the festival.

© Courtesy of Penny Marie

I have been a dancer in Bristol for over 20 years with breaks here and there to have babies!

This year, I have been completing my DYCP (Developing Your Creative Practice) and as part of this, I am gaining knowledge of how to run my own festival and events in the future.

Diverse Artists Network have given me an invaluable opportunity to learn the intricacies of organising and programming. It is such a great team, and a big thank you to Deasy Bamford and Vandna Mehta bringing me onto the team. DIASPORA! is a wonderful concept, to have a festival with so many cultures involved around the city. I feel very proud be a part of DIASPORA!

Call out for rehearsal space

As part of the DIASPOR A ! festival we have an exciting opportunity for theatre-makers from the global majority to be programmed in the Tobacco Factory main theatre!

Available slots are:

1. 11am-2pm on Friday 3rd May

2. 4pm-7pm on Sat 4th May

You could use the space for:

• rehearsals

• a work-in-progress performance with an invited audience

• a workshop you’d like to try out

If you’re interested, please email Aisha at kiotabristol@gmail.com by Friday, 19 April.

Food spotlight...

Discover the Jamaican Hideaway, a not-so-hidden gem

Entrepreneur and mother of three, Dionne Barnes, has been cooking since childhood, but it took her some time to realise how much she loved it… The brains behind the Jamaican Hideaway tells us a little bit more…

“I was raised in a typical Jamaican household - my grandmother brought me up. Because I was a girl I had to learn to cook and, in my early years, I really detested it... That changed with time as I came to understand I was good at and enjoyed it.

The Jamaican Hideaway came out of thatand the fact I make a terrible employee! A few years ago I decided to go solo. I love being my own boss.

The Hideaway caters for all events - weddings, christenings, you name it. And offers a discounted rate for funerals, when people are going through hard times. Our clients often remember that act of kindness when things have gotten brighter.

Customer service is paramount to me. It’s one of the things we do best. As well as authentic, delicious Jamaican food, we adapt our menu to meet our clients’ needs - I love giving people what they want.

We like to please as many people as possible, by doing all the classics and some new things with a twist, like off-the-bone jerk wraps. I’m always up for trying new things and seeing where it goes.

spreads

When I’m not catering events, I’m in my kitchen in the Trinity Centre car park. Find me there Tuesdays to Saturdays, from 3:30-10pm. Though now the days are getting longer I will probably be there more often.”

The Jamaican Hideaway will be in full effect during DIASPORA! 2024. Find Dionne at the Opening Ceremony on 3 May, then again at the African Storytelling Village on 5 May.

And if you ever need Jamaican catering with exemplary customer service, call Dionne on 07904 285618, or send an email to: thejamaicanhideaway@gmail.com

The Jamaican Hideaway also does takeaway - find them now on JustEat and Uber Eats, coming soon on Deliveroo.

©Courtesy of Dionne Barnes

DIASPORA!

designed by Kiara Corales. Pattern designed by Jade Harding.

St. Werburghs Community Centre

Family Fun Open Day and User’s Forum

Saturday 8th June 2024, 1pm - 5pm at St Werburghs Community Centre, Horley Road, BS2 9TJ

Our annual Open Day and User’s Forum is an opportunity to highlight some of the activities that take place at the Centre and celebrate the variety and diversity of groups that make up our community. Our User’s Forum will take place between 2pm and 3pm and it gives people in Ashley a chance to talk to our staff and trustees about the centre, our services and our upcoming developments.

Our next Open Day marks the launch of Bristol Refugee Festival 2024. The theme for this year is ‘Home’. We will have information about the festival and how to get involved.

We will also be celebrating the 25th anniversary of the Bristol Voices Community Choir. Bristol Voices Community Choir is an a cappella four part harmony choir which welcomes singers of all abilities with no audition. They will be performing an eclectic repertoire including world music, jazz, pop, folk, classical, gospel as well as some of the choir’s musical director’s, Jeremy Avis, original compositions.

As usual, the team at Neck of the Woods Café team will have delicious treats available, including homemade bakes, artisan coffee and fresh dishes made with love.

We’re also looking for some volunteers for the day who will be here to meet and greet and help us run the event smoothly. If you can spare a couple of hours, send us a quick email to event@stwerburghs.org. uk and get involved!

Community Hub

St Werburghs Community Centre has been granted Community Hub funding from Bristol City Council through the Quartet Community Foundation. As part of this funding, we have appointed Silvia Jimenez Cruz to support community groups and improve communications in Ashley. If you participate in a group in Ashley and would benefit from a little extra support –whether you need an affordable place to meet, access much needed funds to grow or to get the word out about your group, we would love to hear from you.

As part of this work, we are also working on new ways to get the message out and share all the wonderful things happening at the centre and beyond. We would like to hear what would you like us to share and promote in our newsletter, social media and community noticeboards. Get in touch with Silvia on silvia@stwerburghs.org.uk with your ideas.

Are you in need of a catch up with your remote team?

Our part-time office is perfect for small teams to have some much needed in-person catch up. If you are tired of working from home, consider hiring this comfortable hot-desking space.

Amenities include 3 desks, super-fast internet, comfortable sitting area, and access to kitchenette. This space is also available for counselling or one-to-one support sessions.

In turn, when you hire this room, you will be supporting the running of our St Werburghs Foodshare project which supports families in BS2 and BS5 access fresh and healthy meals.

For enquiries, contact our Centre Coordinators Alie or Shane by emailing office@stwerburghs.org.uk or 0117 955 1351.

St Werburghs Foodshare

St Werburghs Foodshare supports families in the local area by providing them with food parcels and other necessities. The service supplies 2 full bags of filling and nutritious food to families each week, as well as essential cleaning and sanitary items. Each week families can make an optional £3 donation towards their bags to help with the sustainability of the project.

If your children attend a local school, and you are struggling with money, you can sign up to the Foodshare service by emailing office@stwerburghs.org.uk or calling 0117 955 1351.

How you can help

Donate: Donations of non-perishable food and other essentials from our wishlist are always welcome and can be left at reception in a clearly labelled box.

Volunteer: If you are interested in volunteering or would like to find out more, contact office@stwerburghs.org.uk.

Summer Holiday Club

Bookings are open to our popular holiday drama clubs. Led by Bristol Academy of Drama’s experienced Drama Facilitators, the children will build their new theatrical world using costumes and props. They will not only perform in the play but, throughout the creative process, learn to share ideas and work with others to bring the story to life.

This year our Summer Drama Club offer: A Play in 3 Days Workshop: Fantastic Mr Fox by Roald Dahl (Ages 7-11, School Year 3-6)

Monday 5th to Wednesday 7th August 2024, 9.30am – 3.30pm (with performance at 3.30pm on the last day).

Creating Theatre with Little Performers: The Highway Rat by Julia Donaldson (Ages 4-6, Reception to Year 2)

Thursday 8th and Friday 9th August 2024, 9am – 12.30pm (with performance at 12pm on final day).

Due to limited spaces available, it is recommended that parents/guardians book early to avoid disappointment. Group and sibling discount available, simply email us at events@stwerburghs.org.uk for discount codes and booking information.

Your Councillors say...

Its obviously election time so we are not going to say too much as we are all conscious that we don’t want to be seen as using Vocalise for electioneering.

All we wanted to say that we have all enjoyed and been honoured to be your councillors for the last three years. Thank you for voting us in in 2021.

Whilst we are from different parties (Green and Labour) we have always worked together to answer queries

But please do vote. Local councillors do make a difference. And remember we will not have a Mayor after May, we will have the committee system which ensures all party’s views will be heard and the number of councillors for each party will make a difference.

And a final reminder. YOU WILL NEED TO HAVE PHOTO ID TO PLACE YOUR VOTE. PLEASE DON’T FORGET

MIND. BLOWN.

The Time, The Place

As letters go, it’s remarkable. A first class piece of writing. Forty years old when it resurfaced last winter, it still packs a punch. But then, this is no ordinary piece of correspondence. It’s a celebration, a letter of defiance and a rave review all rolled into one. It’s a love letter to a place and its people.

Benjamin Zephaniah first posted his St Paul’s Letter back in 1983, against a backdrop of mass unemployment and widespread social unrest. But whilst mainstream media sought to portray the inner city as a ‘dreadful place’ Benjamin had other ideas. St Paul’s people, he counters, are ‘upright people’, ‘loving people’, ‘the best that you can find’. Yes, times are hard and funds are tight, but the community is united, and, in the run-up to festival, rehearsing in ”bedroom, cellar or tent umbrella” in readiness to showcase their talents.

Well, that’s the gist of it. But to do this particular letter justice, you really need to watch it performed online. Because, striding down Grosvenor Road, delivering his thoughts straight to camera, Benjamin Obadiah Iqbal Zephaniah is, first and foremost, a performance poet.

The style is dub poetry, a term coined by Jamaican poet Oku Onuora to describe the politicised performance poetry with a built in reggae rhythm that evolved from the dub music scene in Kingston, Jamaica, in the 1970s. But in his autobiography, ‘The Life and Rhymes’, Benjamin traces his talent back even further- to his mother Lineve, a nurse who emigrated to England from Jamaica as part of the Windrush Generation. “It was she who gave me

St Paul’s, 1983

written by Ian Jones

words, she who gave me rhythm, and it was she who gave me my appetite for verse.”

In fact, it’s his mum who encourages his first (spontaneous) public performance, as a child at church, naming the books of the Old Testament- “I danced as I chanted to a reggae-cum-ska rhythm, and when I got to Revelations I began to do them backwards!” It’s here that he gets the performance bug, as well as his adopted name Zephaniah, meaning “treasured by God”.

By the time he visits Bristol, he’s a young man. Determined to prove his teachers wrong, he’s turned away from a life of crime, inspired instead by a note from Bob Marley, “Britain needs you, so forward on.” Talking Turkeys and Peaky Blinders are way off in the future. But even now you can feel his charisma. He’s surreptitiously trailed around St Pauls by two young girls in smart school uniforms and a boy on a bike. Maybe they recognise a modern day prophet.

Benjamin Zepahaniah, 1958 - 2023.

Poems of the Diaspora, part of the DIASPORA! Festival, will be held in his honour.

Bristol is for recycling*

Last year, we collected 71,000 tonnes of recycling and garden waste saving the city £5.2 million in disposal costs.

We saved 52,000 items from going to waste via our three reuse shops, including 410 mobility aids and 3.3 tonnes of paint.

4,000 bags of litter collected through community litter picks we supported.

2,000 homes were powered by biogas produced from the recycled food waste we collected.

Gave back over £30 million in social value.**

Thank you for recycling! Read the full 2023 Bristol Waste impact report bristolwastecompany.co.uk/impact-report