Eco-Poetry: unearthing what’s always been there
Barberry in Blue Sky, Holes Bay, Dorset (I learnt that clusters of three berries identify the bush as ‘native’).
Many people have influenced my writing - throughout my life’s stages. I’ve found myself inspired by the wide continuum of Pastoral and Beat poetry - Keats milked it, TS Eliot broke it down and Steve Turner, well come on! - I was able to embrace all of them (within reason). If there’s too much of anything I just seem to want to break it up and shake it up. When I’ve run workshops with children and young people I love the regular comment
“I’ve learnt that poems don’t have to rhyme!” - result.
Copper Sulphate Love
Copper Sulphate it was,
Sky like that
With clouds of precipitation,
Floating on.
Copper Sulphate love,
was it an explosion,
No pulled by strings above
Explosions don’t make love.
cp30 November 1980
Deeply in love - this poem was written in my head walking up Red Lion Road to my girlfriend’s. I always look up! The blue sky contrasted the cream concrete and the greyness of suburbia as I saw it back then.
I need to establish that I grew up in a suburban context, on Red Lion Road, that links a main artery to the A3 between Guilford and Roehampton and the postal course from Epsom to Kingston upon Thames. Surrey yes, comfy no! My ancestors lived (and were raised) on Red Lion Road, but they knew it as countryside, allotments, with clay feeding the brick making and osiery beds, the wicker industries. So I guess it’s in the genes. Further back on my Father’s side in the 19th and 18th centuries they worked the land, in Wiltshire - ‘Agrarian Labourers’ the Censuses inform me. My Mother at 95 still recounts stories of walking through countryside in the environs of her upbringing in Derby, The Midlands.
Mum used to take us to, The Fishponds on the Ewell Road between Tolworth and Surbiton and at weekends we would explore various cricket pitches around Surrey, while Dad excelled at his love and passion for cricket - Mum did the teas and knitted! The point being, we escaped from our suburban concrete - our 2 down three up (over a shop) backed onto a small engineering firm where oil and metal filled our senses - to the country.
Once a year, for two precious weeks we would be by the sea, “To breathe in the ‘owzone’!” as my Dad would delight in telling us. Clambering up sand dunes and peering into rock pools, running along the foreshore feeling the ridges of the hard sand under my feet, I would run and run and run.
RiverRun ‘For Earth’s Sake’
I received a link to the RiverRun Eco Poetry project and found myself in Nature, writing for the day with Eco Poet and Mentor Helen Moore helenmoorepoet.com as part of Cape Farewell’s For Earth’s Sake project in the lead up to the COP26 the United Nation’s conference on Climate Change.
Now I’m learning as I approach self-publishing some of my work, to have my poems pored over and commented on. I’m not one who has readily signed up for ‘writing workshops’ in the past. But I’m piecing back the abilities and skills that I have and so off I went to Upton Country Park where three of us assembled with Helen. On my way out, wrapped up appropriately for the changeable Autumn weather, I grabbed my Dad’s old flat cap. The size of the group (and Dad’s cap!) comforted me and after brief introductions off we went into the wooded parts of the park that I know so well leading down to Holes Bay which marks the northern most part of Poole Harbour.
A great Oak was our first stop. But this was no stereotypical ‘Tree-hugging’ exercise (not that I mind getting ‘barkside’, up close and personal!).
One of us (the one with the sensible waterproof mat!) was asked to lie at its base looking upwards, one of us close up to the trunk and I was asked to stand at the extremity of the Oak’s branches. From this vantage point I could take in a variety of views - looking outwards, in, up and around. I saw saplings and smaller, established versions of what we estimated to be our four to five hundred year old subject.
I looked across to a fallen limb of the same thickness and stock, a victim of the great storm of 1987 perhaps? We were encouraged to jot down images and thoughts.
Revered, in my own space,
a hundred crimped leaves
on fir covered branches
mourning my fallen, ancient neighbour.
Raindrops from my bough provide sound effects for falling leaves.
With a far wider outreach than my juvenile neighbours - even the nettles stand longer by me,
picked off as individual stems,
a trailing bramble Ivy-like
sends tendrils along my limbs
and I can see the Silver-leaved poplar trees
dancing and swaying in the wind high up from here.
(Working notes 27.10.21.)
We took a break and broke the relative silence of our morning over lunch. Then proceeded to the outreaches of the park to a boundary fence with a view across Pergins (or previously Doughty's) Island and the mud flats of Holes Bay fed by Upton and Creekmore (sic) Lakes.
I knew the view that was coming as we broke through from the trees and the weather did not disappoint! Blue, blue sky, we stood by the fence and Helen encouraged us to take it all in and reflect on the images that it evoked. It pleased me that humanity barged in on our creativity as the path was being used by visiting families during the first day of the school Half Term break. I felt the need to subvert the supposed reflections by using this in my writing:
“They’re All Ducks Mummy!”
“What can you see?”
“They’re All Ducks Mummy!”
All
Ducks
in separate tribes
in separate lines
on separate banks.
Waiting.
For a new tide,
a fresh wind:
Plover, Goose, Curlew
and a choir of Terns, flying low.
Each will have its moment -
but what’s the prompt?
A backdrop of traffic, an endless stream
in and out of town,
roundabout - red light, green light -
Go!
The prompt?
Who says go first?
But at least noticed,
you asked me what I saw mummy,
and I saw that they’re all
Ducks.
cp27.10.21.
The weather began to change and threatened rain. We moved on to our final viewing point and through a giant picture frame overlooking Holes Bay Helen asked us to look again at the panorama and reflect on the workshop and surroundings. We placed the sea within our own lives and ancestory. We shared stories, there’s many stories of the sea in Poole and the relative safety of the harbour.
I was entranced by a family of silent finches (were they Chaffinches? Hawfinches? Maybe Bullfinches?) in the Barberry Bush in front of us, the two adults high atop the branches overseeing the younger ones. I looked back and they had moved on, then they returned. After we had said our goodbyes I went and stood finishing the dregs of coffee from my flask.
Family Hedgerow,
proud parents oversee their young outriders.
Foraging berries over swaying ferns,
relaying to the dead, brown prongs of Docks.
Attachment training?
and
“Move on!”
Gone.
Spring and Summer gone
and Family Hedgerow moving on through Autumn
bracing themselves
for Winter.
cp27.10.21.
Despite my apprehensions - infused by the unknown qualities of my writing post-Stroke, Helen’s supportive and adept stewarding of our day enabled me to ‘do what came naturally’. We walked, observed, sensed nature all around, connected as humans and Art (and specifically Poetry!) had its way. So I’ve always been an Eco-Poet it seems, I’d just been supported in unearthing what’s always been there!
There’s an opportunity at Lighthouse Poole in the Sherling Studio on Saturday 6 November, 10:30am–3:30pm to workshop material and to rehearse/prepare to share our work in a showcase there on Wednesday 10 November from 8pm.
The RiverRun ‘For Earth’s Sake’ performance is at Lighthouse on Wednesday 3 November from 6.45pm.
Details and booking here: https://www.capefarewell.com/for-earths-sake/ and yes I will go, and I will perform my work and I will wear my Dad’s old flat cap.
Useful Links
Dorset Birds: dorsetbirds.blogspot.com
‘Why Eco-Poetry’ article by John Shoptaw Poetry Foundation.org/poetrymagazine
Halloween Ghost Walks
Yes it’s that time of year!
‘Red’ the “dodgy (but fun) seafaring type” I play as a stooge to Granny Cousins (with new plague mask in response to the Covid requirements (2020-21).
Granny Cousins Ghost Walks of Old Town Poole are a well established part of the Summer season in Poole, Dorset with actor Michele O’Brien (who developed the well known character Granny Cousins in the 1990’s). Over the last few years (due to popular demand!) we have extended the Ghost Walks (which people tell us are informative, fun and creepy) to the Halloween shenanigans now such a part of the October Half Term activities - for families of course, but there are a lot of adults out there that like to dress up and get fully involved.
One year I looked up from taking payments to see a a fully furred Wolverine, a ‘Zombie’ Nurse slashed with blood and a masked Samuri!!!!! You never know what’s going to happen next with Granny Cousins.
For 2021 it will be good to return to the ancient and atmospheric street of Old Town Poole. We’ve decided to perform two Ghost Walks for Adults and two ‘milder’ storytelling walks for families with little ones.
Admission is by Eventbrite only and the four separate events are:
Halloween Ghostly Walk of Old Poole Town. For Anyone........
Fri, 29 October 2021 20:00 – 21:30
Sun, 31 October 2021 20:00 – 21:30
Halloween Family Ghostly Walks
Fri, 29 October 2021 18:00 – 19:00
Sun, 31 October 2021 18:00 – 19:00
Granny Cousins (actor Michele O’Brien) in full swing enchanting audiences with Ghost Stories, Historic intrigue and a large dose of humour.
What would our Granny Cousins have made of being featured as a ‘Wessex Woman’ with her own display touring around the local museums? and one of the women features by Valise Noire Storytelling Theatre Company as a ‘Woman of Words - Dorset’ in 2021.
Babigloo at Poole Park Celebration 29.7.21.
It was a glorious day to celebrate all the marvellous work that has been achieved in Poole Park, Dorset on 29 July 2021. thanks to the inspirational vision of Michele O’Brien several heritage and arts-based installations were available to visitors of all ages.
Wonderful Babigloo regular Rob Lee joined me in providing four Babigloo sessions with outdoor, floral and weather based music for babies sessions and we all had a lovely creative and explorative time. Some babies that we have worked with in the last year through Babigloo’s Youth Music programmes in children centres joined us and even some from our 2018/19 Programmes turned up looking all big and grown up now!
It was lovely to improve with Rob using a wide range of tunes and focus everyone’s attention on the beauty of the tiniest of babies while we all sang ‘True Colours’ by Cindy Lauper.
Colin interacting with the many families that visited the Celebration Day.
Photo: Toni Powell (Poole Park Life)
The Wonder Domes: Ventnor Fringe Festival, Isle of Wight July 2021
It was so good to be back devising, making and performing with Michele `O’Brien and Teresa Grimaldi with their:Wonder Domes Ventnor Fringe Festival, Isle of Wight
With Teresa Grimaldi’s artistically designed Wonder Domes depicting key characters and their finds and a map of eight Domes for Children to record what they saw in each Dome they found. I eagerly awaited any finds they made themselves to record in the Company’s register of finds. Thankfully Rupert didn’t bring a leaf of the amazing Chilean Rhubarb plant, but named it ‘Ru’-normous after his own name, just like those Victorian and Edwardian plant hunters of old.
Featuring 8 intriguing Wonder Domes for children of all ages to explore and investigate their own nature finds to be recorded by the Clerk of Veight and `Sons.
This new project premiered at the Ventnor Fringe, in the beautiful public gardens near the Putting Green focus on the following educational elements in an interactive and engaging piece of site specific theatre :
the history of plant hunting through the centuries.
meet Women plant hunters in role involved in collecting and recording new species of plants (Marianne North,
profiling specific Victorian/Edwardian Plant-hunters local to your venue (insert local Plant-hunter- Ernest Wallace etc.)
enabling debate on the current ‘colonisation’ of many finds of the past including the naming of species by western explorers in the nineteenth and early twentieth century
current environmental themes of saving the planet and valuing our botanical legacy.
Michele O’Brien promenaded in full black Crinoline dress as Marianne North a botanist and artist local to the Isle of Wight, Teresa Grimaldi posed as Marianne ‘in action’ paining the Red Hot Pokers that she is known for painting and participants eagerly ran to the final Wonder Dome where “Mr David” a local plant seller and propagator, gave them their reward of a seed in a brown paper bag with instructions as how to grow it when they got home.
Colin playing the part of Company Clerk recording finds for Veight and Sons
Walkerbot Appeal: We made it!
Thank YOU!
On 10 September we were able to donate £1035 to the Royal Bournemouth Hospital ( @UHDHospitals )
On 24 April 2021 Life changed in a Stroke, a Cerebellar Stroke Colin's Video.
I am raising funds for a ‘Walkerbot’ to support those #strokesurvivors less fortunate than me who can’t walk or are struggling to walk: https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/colin-phillimore-walkerbotappeal
The Walkerbot uses a harness suspended above a treadmill and robotic limbs to move the patient’s legs in a consistent pattern. A computer controls the pace of walking and measures and adapts to the body’s response to movement. A therapist stands by to instruct the patient and analyse how they are walking, whilst interactive games and feedback help with motivation.
The Walkerbot works with everyone, even those with NO ACTIVITY in their lower limbs
Patients can complete 1,000’s of steps in one session
Patients can walk in a more natural and consistent pattern.
Only one member of staff is needed to operate, freeing up staff for other patients Quicker rehabilitation enables patients to be discharged sooner and continue to recover at home.
How it happened: I was just putting my trainers on to go for a jog and ‘Bam’ my whole body was spinning around and around. There was a searing and swirling metallic noise in the back of my head and a current went from my left foot up my leg, back and neck. Life changed at a stroke a Cerebellar Stroke - I’d never heard of the Cerebellar/Cerebellum and always related a Stroke to the heart and arteries.
Thanks to the quick thinking of my partner Michele, the Paramedics arrived and I was observed and scanned at Poole Hospital and by Sunday 25 April transferred to the Royal Bournemouth Hospital. By Monday 26 April I was back home!
The brain is amazing though and the next day I started 6 weeks of work with the dedicated Early Discharge Team of Physios and Therapists. I have now re-learnt how to coordinate my limbs, people can relearn to walk, through repetition and practice.
I now realise that I am very lucky to have so many basic faculties still:
*I can remember
*I can speak
*I can do most household tasks
*I can feed myself
*I can even drive!
But most importantly……….
*I can walk.
This means I can be independent in my own flat and out in the wider world BUT
Over 720 people are admitted to the Royal Bournemouth Hospital each year with a stroke and 75% of these have lower limb weakness.
You can see a short video of my progress here: Colin's Video
And more information on the Walkerbot Appeal can be found at:
There is not another Walkerbot in the South of England and the University Hospitals Dorset NHS Charity have nearly reached the target of £365,000 . In fact they only need £4,520 let’s see this thing through so that #strokesurvivors like me can benefit from this innovative piece of kit that can make such a difference in rebuilding people’s lives.
Other Links:
Steps 2 Wellbeing now have a Stroke Group
Ten Years of International Youth Work
Ten Years On........
‘Move Ya!’ 2013, Youth Exchange with young people from Poole (UK), Cherbourg-Octeville (France), Hungary, Poland and our hosts Erfurt (Thuringia, Germany).
In the UK, the length of a marriage (or partnership) is designated a metal. 25 years is Silver, 50 - Gold, 60 - Diamond. 10 years is valued as ‘Tin’ and next month marks my ten years association with Maison Pour Tous Leo Legrange, in Cherbourg-Octeville.
My colleague in Poole had been pioneering international work fo some years and the summer project for 2011 was 9 days in Cherbourg as part of “Yourope’. Unfortunately he was taken ill and my Manager approached me to take over the responsibility with three, maybe four weeks to go before getting the Ferry from Poole to the city we had been twinned with for nearly forty years.
I jumped at the chance and met once a week with Bonnie, Lauren, Jordan, Jack and Jake in preparation for meeting young people from France, Germany, Hungary and Spain and their workers WHO I HAD NOT ET BEFORE as I hadn’t been part of the essential APV. I loved ‘residential’ work and had seen the benefits of taking young people out of their usual context and providing new experiences. Little did I know how life changing this would be for me personally!
My first experience of France at the age of 12/13 had not gone well. We stayed as a group of 50 boys (!) in a Boarding School in Blois (in the Loire valley). The ‘low’ light was trying to purchase a first edition set of stamps at the Post Office. I wasn’t able to make myself understood! I was so embarrassed and frustrated that I ran out of the post office empty handed. Ever since I have made a point of buying stamps in whichever country I have visited, just to prove to myself just how far my basic language abilities have progressed (although still hardly ‘fluent’ in any language).
A newspaper report of my first Trip to France with Southborough Boys School 1974 (and Tiffin Grammar School, Oxford!!!).
The Erasmus and Erasmus Plus programme is designed to encourage ‘international mobility’ and what that first exchange in Cherbourg did was set an atmosphere that supports young people, staff and communities in exploring other cultures. It breaks down the barriers that we or our dominant culture builds between people from other countries. It supports trying other languages in a non-judgemental way. Negotiating bedtime in July with young people from Jerez de Frontera in Spain who live in 30 - 40 degrees C all day and didn’t think of leaving their house until 21-23:00 hours, made the first night group work interesting!
‘Barfleur’, The ferry between Poole and ~Cherbourg two towns twinned for over 40 years.
I soon found that the pedagogy of my colleagues at MPTLL and other participating organisations matched perfectly with my own and I proceeded to take groups to Erfurt in Germany, Lake Valence in Hungary and all the way along the Normandy coast (!) to Tourlaville. We also collaborated to bring a group of young adults with learning disabilities to Cherbourg for three nights supported by the council’s zzzzz scheme.
My involvement in the No Borders More............training team in 2015, 2017 and 2019 have been very special and we hope to continue this important work in the future (when the Pandemic and funding permits).
Me and Alexandrine (MPTLL) during a ‘warm up game’ at No Borders More Perspectives 2019).
Imagine that 13 year old understanding that he would one day stand in the lecture hall of the University in Cherbourg and use his basic French language to explain his commitment to the pedagogy of inter-cultural, non-formal, education (through a microphone!).
Coffee with mon colleague - always a priority!
The moment I value most is the biggest hug that I received from Arno on arrival at the ferryport and from that point on we have benefitted from s supportive and productive working relationship. And so, if we have to place a ‘value’ on people, my association with MPTLL as my second family has been more valuable than tin, it’s been `golden’, something I have treasured and will continue to treasure - without being too dramatic - for the rest of my life!
Erasmus Plus accreditation for life long learning, NBMP 2019.
And for that I thank you all.
Colin Phillimore, Poole, UK, Europe.
and thanks to Google Translate:
Dix ans plus tard........
Au Royaume-Uni, la durée d'un mariage (ou d'un partenariat) est désignée comme un métal. 25 ans c'est Argent, 50 - Or, 60 - Diamant. 10 ans est évalué comme « Tin » et le mois prochain marque mes dix ans d'association avec MPTLL (Maison Pour Tous Leo Legrange), à Cherbourg-Octeville.
Mon collègue à Poole était pionnier dans le travail international depuis quelques années et le projet d'été 2011 était de 9 jours à Cherbourg dans le cadre de "Yourope". Malheureusement, il est tombé malade et mon manager m'a approché pour prendre la responsabilité avec trois, peut-être quatre semaines avant d'amener le ferry de Poole à la ville avec laquelle nous étions jumelés depuis près de quarante ans.
J'ai sauté sur l'occasion et rencontré une fois par semaine Bonnie, Lauren, Jordan, Jack et Jake en vue de rencontrer des jeunes de France, d'Allemagne, de Hongrie et d'Espagne et leurs travailleurs QUI JE N'AVAIS PAS ET AVANT car je n'avais pas fait partie de l'APV essentiel. J'aimais le travail « résidentiel » et j'avais vu les avantages de sortir les jeunes de leur contexte habituel et de leur offrir de nouvelles expériences. Je ne savais pas à quel point cela changerait ma vie personnellement !
The exciting arrival into Poole Harbour (from the Isle of Purbeck side).
Ma première expérience de la France à l'âge de 12/13 ans ne s'était pas bien passée. Nous avons séjourné en groupe de 50 garçons (!) dans un internat à Blois (dans la vallée de la Loire). La lumière «basse» essayait d'acheter une première série de timbres à la poste. Je n'arrivais pas à me faire comprendre ! J'étais tellement gêné et frustré que je suis sorti du bureau de poste les mains vides. Depuis que je me suis fait un devoir d'acheter des timbres dans tous les pays que j'ai visités, juste pour me prouver à quel point mes compétences linguistiques de base ont progressé (bien que toujours à peine « fluide » dans aucune langue).
Local newspaper article on NBMP 2019. Erasmus Plus encourages ‘local impact’ of inter-cultural work.
Le programme Erasmus et Erasmus Plus est conçu pour encourager la « mobilité internationale » et ce premier échange à Cherbourg a créé une atmosphère qui aide les jeunes, le personnel et les communautés à explorer d'autres cultures. Il brise les barrières que nous ou notre culture dominante construisons entre les gens d'autres pays. Il permet d'essayer d'autres langues sans porter de jugement. Négocier l'heure du coucher en juillet avec des jeunes de Jerez de Frontera en Espagne qui vivent à 30 - 40 degrés C toute la journée et ne pensaient pas à quitter leur maison avant 21-23:00 heures, a rendu le premier travail de groupe de nuit intéressant !
J'ai vite découvert que la pédagogie de mes collègues du MPTLL et des autres organisations participantes correspondait parfaitement à la mienne et j'ai emmené des groupes à Erfurt en Allemagne, au lac de Valence en Hongrie et tout le long de la côte normande (!) jusqu'à Tourlaville. Nous avons également collaboré pour amener un groupe de jeunes adultes handicapés mentaux à Cherbourg pendant trois nuits soutenues par le dispositif zzzzz de la mairie.
Mon implication dans l'équipe de formation No Borders More............ en 2015, 2017 et 2019 ont été très spéciales et nous espérons continuer cet important travail à l'avenir (lorsque la pandémie et le financement le permettront) .
Imaginez ce jeune de 13 ans comprenant qu'il se tiendrait un jour dans l'amphithéâtre de l'Université de Cherbourg et utiliserait son français de base pour expliquer son engagement dans la pédagogie de l'éducation inter culturelle, non formelle (au micro !) .
I treasure the ‘jumelage’ between Cherbourg and Poole Twinning Associations (March 2020).
Le moment que j'apprécie le plus est le plus gros câlin que j'ai reçu d'Arno à mon arrivée au port de ferry et à partir de ce moment-là, nous avons bénéficié d'une relation de travail positive et productive. Et donc, si nous devons accorder une "valeur" aux gens, mon association avec MPTLL en tant que deuxième famille a été plus précieuse que l'étain, elle a été "en or", quelque chose que j'ai chéri et que je continuerai de chérir - sans être trop dramatique - pour le reste de ma vie!
Et pour cela je vous remercie tous.
Colin Phillimore, Poole, Royaume-Uni, Europe.
Blog: ‘Meet the Artists’ - Forest Forge Theatre Co. Event
It was a joy to be asked to talk about my long term collaboration with actor, storyteller, creator and artist Michele O’Brien last Monday. Our association with Forest Forge goes back to 2007 and a cold Saturday Matinee at Lymington in Hampshire. Michele had been asked to appear in ‘To the Marrow’ written by Sean Aita and David Haworth the following Spring and we went to see the Christmas production of ‘Cinderella’. The set was bubblegum pinks and blues and greens, the script was quick fire and traditional it was not - hello Forest Forge!
Two further Christmas tours followed in 2018 (Rumplestilzkin) and 2019 (Little Red) with FF supported Bumblefly Thetare Co. as well as an exploratory production of ‘Axe’ by John Yates followed. Those at home aren’t often mentioned when a company’s on tour, but keeping the home fires burning, testing lines and keeping actors fed is an important role.
Then in 2019/20 Michele and I worked on her ‘The Ark’ and ‘Dove’ one woman show there. Due to Arts Council England funding she was able to work with Director Lucy Phillips, Set Designer Lizzie Watts, our longstanding puppetmaking friend Teresa Grimaldi, Dance Coach Junior Jones, Audio Description advisor and actor Tam Gilbert and Tech/Actor/Maker Dom Phillips at FF and there I was able to be part of the team myself, as Project Manager and Sound/Light Technician.
For the Meet the Artists session Jo Billingham -FF’s Education and Participation Officer- asked us to produce a 40 minute talk with time for Q and A afterwards. But of course in the virtual world we are surviving in it’s not that straightforward. I’ve honed my old DJ and Video editing skills in recent months with a whole summer of Babigloo Online, Valise Noire Storytelling Theatre Co. ‘What We Broke in Lockdown’ series and many more projects, so we were all set up for a 5.00pm check in with Jo and a 6.00pm rendezvous with those that had booked up for the session.
I made a ‘Spin the Wheel’ so as to make what we spoke about a little random. Although we live and breath most of our work from conception to evaluation it’s not often we get the chance to reflect on the rich vein of projects we’ve produced. we had some fun elelnments as well: What we’d bingewatched during Lockdown and some of our favourite photos of nature that we’d noticed and DDD (Delectable Dessert Designs). When Natural Yogurt is your staple pud this sort of detail becomes important (see photo).
Anyway it was great fun, we had some good questions including: How we decide which of our artistic disciplines to focus on? Where inspiration for our projects comes from? And whether we are planning to run the Ghost Walk this season? (Well the jury’s still out on that one).
Then all the tech needed to be cleared away and our living spacwe put back to rights. All in another fun packed day as a Freelance Creative!
colphillimore@gmail.com Tel: 07885535676
Logging on and ‘Sharing our Screen!’
DDD (Delectable Dessert Designs)
That’ll be guadeloupe melon, banana, oat bar, strawberry, shaved Dark (90%) chocolate, Greek style natural yogurt and obligiatory Delboy cocktail umbrella!
Two Metres!
Artsreach short featuring the many characters from history that Michele O’Brien has developed: Pictured, WW1 Nurse from Poppy Fields, Vailse Noire Storytelling Theatre Co. 2014/18.
Blog: Babigloo Online Session for Forest Forge Theatre Co.
As part of their Half Term programming across age groups the lovely folk at Forest Forge Theatre Co. asked us to run a Babigloo music for Babies session online. It was February 2016 when we launched Babigloo founded by Jenny Gordon, having worked with Professor Paulo Lamiero and team from the Sociedade Artística Musical dos Pousos (SAMP) in Portugal. So it was great to celebrate 5 years of working with the youngest babies (0-12 months), our collaboration with many professional musicians, Music Hubs, Children’s Centres in BCP Council and East Dorset and various funding organisations.
The reason why we love bringing music to babies is that when a baby holds your eye gaze the whole world is crystallised in that moment. The beautiful music we make, the props we use, the sense of community that is built over our 9 week programmes and shows. The small things that nature provides - a butterfly, a snowflake, the song of a bird or the rustle of leaves in a tree, all the world feeds us and helps us to grow and understand more. We like going to classical music concerts, being challenged by contemporary music and jazz, we love to hop and skip to folk music and getting down to a disco beat. But we also love the awe and wonder that can be found in silence.
We were absolutely honoured to host the wonderful Babigloo-Music for Babies this morning, who delivered an amazing online musical extravaganza for babies, joined by the lovely Claire from CHJ Music Poole on cello! It was incredible to see the babies become so animated and respond to the different sounds created- what an adorable way to finish our jam packed half term week!
You can read about our Youth Music funded programmes on the Babigloo Youth Music Network Blog site: Independent Evaluation Report May 2019 and our Emergency Fund Online sessions and ‘Round the World’ Online sessions
We’re looking at future developments for what we do at Babigloo and hope to work with Forest Forge in the future.
colphillimore@gmail.com Tel: 07885535676
Composite photo of Babigloo Music for Babies by Jo Billingham at FF
Using proper wood beaters to keep a steady beat.
Claire jones from GHJ Music playing beautiful Cello pieces by Bach, Gardiner and ‘Re-write the Stars’ from the The Greatest Showman
‘Meme’ and feathers.
Yom, Yom scales.
Dancing with stars, each one has a little bell in (‘tinkle tinkle’)
Blog: New Website
Thanks for looking at my new website. It’s a strange process of looking back and looking forward.
All those creative sessions where you’ve scribbled and mapped out new projects and ideas, started funding applications and waited - trying not to develop the ideas too much - then the celebration and excitement when you get the go ahead and it’s all systems go!
That’s the life of a freelancer in the Arts I’ve found. No amount of preparation and planning can prepare for the collaborative energy that is created when the Team get together to devise, rehearse and perform the latest piece. You just take a deep breath and off you go!
Perhaps I’m in the priveleged position of seeing across all aspects and this websites tries to nail my work as much as is possible. The Performance and Production of so many special projects, trying to make space to write and perform my own Poetry, it’s all here.
Try me?! Give me a call or email me if you think I may be able to support what you do.
colphillimore@gmail.com Tel: 07885535676
