CALLING TEACHERS IN HARTCLIFFE WITHYWOOD AREA

Need end of summer term activity? ZAMBIAN THEATRE WORKER COMES TO HARTCLIFFE and WITHYWOOD! Mary Manzole of Kamoto Community Arts in association with Tikambilanie, is coming for a month from mid July 2010 to work with Hartcliffe and Withywood Community Partnership Pride of Place group.

She is helping them to identify how the use of parks and green spaces could better suit their needs. Using African eyes to offer a fresh perspective, participative methodologies and theatre skills to involve many people.

We hope the outcome to be more long term volunteer involvement in environmental groups locally and an ‘action charter’ for local groups to show the council what locals feel can be done to improve their environment.

During her stay there’ll be the chance to create a local performance for the Bristol Ecoshow at the Harbourside Festival (July 30 to Aug1st), representing local feelings creatively in this multi arts venture.

How can schools be involved?
In the week before schools break up Mary can run workshops with young people to engage their ideas on how to improve local connection with parks and open spaces. The workshops will help improve skills in discussion, expression, drama, build self-confidence and group cohesion and will keep young people engaged at a time when they’re itching for holidays!

Sometimes there has been conflict between how adults and young people see the best way to use parks and it’s important to include the young people’s perspective on the parks and Dundry slopes. There would be the chance to carry on with drama workshops after the end of term leading up to the Ecoshow at the Harbourside Festival.

Year 5 to 11 and post 16 are suitable. There is no charge. We’d be happy to discuss with you the chance to use school space after the end of term, though this is not essential. To see how your school can be involved please email David Mowat, the Ecoshow coordinator on bigbromo@yahoo.co.uk or ring 0780 436 3170.