We're pleased to bring you the latest news on our recent projects and the fresh events shaping up for 2025! With so much of our energy focused on the Cultivate programme, we've merged our newsletters to ensure you stay in the loop on all the action.

GREAT MEAD: Cultivating Common Ground

Our big news this month is that the GREAT MEAD PILOT project (previously called the ‘land-based project in Chard’) was officially launched on Wednesday 5th March. The project focuses on the early stages of transforming a 6.4-acre area in the heart of Chard into a welcoming and safe space for the local community to share and enjoy. Through a series of nature-based activities, creative workshops, and community events, the initiative will encourage people to connect with their environment and each other to co-create and test a range of new ideas.

The official launch event was attended by the Head of Holyrood Academy, Chard’s Mayor, Somerset’s High Sheriff, and the Deputy Lord Lieutenant. Students from Holyrood Academy also participated, showcasing their involvement in the project. The Great Mead Pilot is a collaborative effort involving multiple local organisations, including Connect Somerset, Holyrood Academy, Chard Town Council, Take Art, Chard Community Hub, Somerset Wildlife Trust, ARK at Egwood, and WATCH CIC. With a strong foundation of partnerships, the project aims to leave a strong legacy for future generations.

Over the next ten months, the project will host a variety of events, including:
Nature walks to explore the site;
Training workshops on tree and water management, forest skills, and nature surveys;
Creative sessions in poetry, music, and art;
Outdoor cooking activities;
A festival in September and a sharing event in October.

This pilot project is supported with funding from Somerset Community Fund, the National Lottery Community Fund, and the European Horizon Connect NEB programme.

ARTIST NETWORKING EVENT

It was good to welcome a dozen or so Somerset based artists to the networking event, in collaboration with Taunton Brewhouse, earlier in March. As ever, there was much to talk about and share. The conversation included updates from everyone in the room as well as key issues around organisational development; diversifying income streams and mental health support for artists.

We’re now considering how we might be able to follow up some of the areas discussed, so watch this space for more info in due course.

TRAINING IN NEURO-AFFIRMING PRACTICE

With a drive towards safer spaces for ALL, Somerset Youth Theatre is producing a one-day training event delivered by SYT Staff with lived and learnt experience. It will include:

Towards being trauma informed, attachment, PACE
Sensory difference, neurodivergent umbrella, social model of disability
Gender identity and neurodiversity
Open space workshop, Q & A, and practical exercises

Details:

10am - 4pm, Thursday 15th May 2025 - Albemarle Centre, Taunton, TA1 1BA

Book via this link.

DATES FOR YOUR DIARY

Forthcoming CULTIVATE events featuring Somerset-based artists

We will have a Cultivate stand at the World Earth Day celebrations on 26 April 2025 at Yeovil Country Park with circus entertainment and workshops from performance artist Jackie Clementines.
aKa Dance Theatre will be performing its new show, shed-ache at Great Mead, Chard, on Saturday 24 May 2025.
CHILL ON THE HILL, a family-friendly event that will celebrate local food, arts, nature, diversity and community, produced in partnership with Ham Hill Country Park, will be on Sunday 31st August 2025.

Further information about shed-ache and Chill on the Hill will be on our website soon.

Next Newsletter

As you’ve seen above, we can occasionally promote other events and opportunities. So, if you have something that you’d like to be included in the next mail-out (which will cover June and July 25) please fill in this link with full details by 16 May 2025.

All good wishes,

Mark and Ruth

Take Art Theatre team