River Spen

Groups of children from Heaton Avenue, Moorend C of E, Littletown Junior Infants & Nursery and Howard Park Community schools have been enjoying getting involved in outdoor creative environmental activities along the River Spen as part of an innovative consultation project.  The activities have been run by artist Kerry Morrison on behalf of Council arts agency Loca, which is running the project with help from the Council’s Countryside Rangers team.

Spen Valley Area Committee commissioned the project with the aim of involving local people in exploring the special qualities of the river environment and sharing ideas for environmental improvements.  Through a variety of creative activities on key sites along the river initially between Cleckheaton and Liversedge potential small improvement schemes will be identified in an action plan which could lead to future community projects to make the improvements happen.

Two open events are taking place on Sunday 11th & Saturday 17th July behind Spenborough Baths (11th) and on Man Dam (17th) where local people can take part in creative environmental activities and contribute their ideas about improvements to the River Spen area.  Open the flyer for more information.
 

Colne Valley Creative Business Support Programme June – December 2010

We have a new brochure for our Creative Business Support programme which is being run for creative practitioners and small businesses in the Colne Valley.  The brochure covers sessions and events from June to December 2010 with a new series of workshops, networking events and one-to-one advice sessions. 

• Individual surgeries - one or more advice sessions to give you a listening ear and focused help where you feel you most need it

• Topical workshops - small group sessions looking at some of the fundamentals” involved in successfully developing your creative practice/business.

• A series of networking events - opportunities to make connections and contacts

Get in touch for an informal chat to tell us a little about your work and business ambitions. From there, we’ll introduce you to the kinds of support that may be appropriate to your particular needs and look at how we can help develop your enterprise.

To find out more open the Colne Valley Business Support programme or contact us at loca.admin@loca.co.uk.

This programme is open to anyone based in the Clone Valley (Slaithwaite, Marsden, Golcar, Lintwhite, Milnsbridge) who is self-employed, taking the first steps towards starting a business, or already running a business in the arts/creative sector.

Playful town centres in Dewsbury and Batley

Loca has been involved in some creative events in Dewsbury and Batley town centres that has seen young people and their families join in fun, playful activities.  The events gave families an opportunity to explore the space, join in activities, play together and help imagine a new kind of play space in the centre of the towns.

The playful town centres project is part of a government funded scheme, Play Pathfinder, to make play more challenging for 8 - 13 year olds and to create attractive public spaces in Dewsbury and Batley town centres.  Both sites are being designed by artists Walter Jack Studios and landscape architects WA Fairhurst.

The ideas and possibilities that come out of the events will inspire the design team to create a special, family-friendly place where young people and adults can enjoy spending time together.