Northland's Park Corner Today

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I was very pleased with today's event as we got to hear from people who lived at Northlands Park.
Vin started the event rolling by asking the questions 'Can people identify with Basildon?' 'Do they feel they have a thriving community?' Also a lot of people are ashamed to say they come from the area, which is sad as it has a lot going for it including a host of famous faces and a lot of green areas.
Has rocky beginnings played it's part towards a disjointed community?
Apparently when Basildon was first a new town those who already lived in the area weren't always very welcoming to the newcomers from London. Also the people from London were from close communities and were used to lots going on, and they came to this place, away from their extended families, to a place that was starting from scrap and had very little forms of entertainment.
At Northland's Park there are a few who are working very hard to try and create some sort of community, namely the 'Events Group' who from what I have witnessed are doing a marvellous job with their 'Northland's Park Fun Day' and their Christmas Fayre.

Some of the young people today are members of the local youth council, and I was glad to hear that they have often talked about their concerns and shared some of their fantastic ideas with this group.

Ideas:
Make one of the ponds a boating lake or have activities on it.
The Cafe should sell more fruit, or make Fruit Smoothies.
There should be a toilet available all the time.
One young lady was concerned about the fishermen and wanted them to have little huts as shelter, she was quite concerned about their safety.
A swimming pool in the field behind the cafe, one where you could put a roof on in winter and have it open in the summer.
A play park area for older children like they have at Wat Tyler park.

Thanks so much Vin for starting the ball rolling and having so much to say, which was all very interesting and stimulating.

'Northlands Park Corner and Following Events'

Next Event - Northlands Park Corner

I paid a visit to Hyde Park's 'Speakers Corner' you can see this at:
http://artcafeinc.blogspot.com/2007/05/speakers-corner-hyde-park-corner.html

It was an eye opener believe me, so much passion, so many fixed views. Who were these people!

Now I don't want to create chaos down the park, what I want is an event where people air their views but in the manner of opening up and sharing - mind meeting mind.
I don't intend to start some sort of lobby committee just a bit of viva la difference - a novel event that people might talk about one day - an event that they enjoyed.
Hope you'll be there!

p.s I found these Free Hugs You Tube film.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vr3x_RRJdd4&mode=related&search=
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BRVzXcybd2c&mode=related&search=
I wonder if anyone is up for giving free hugs on Hippy Art and Hug a Tree Day?

A bit about Vin

Vin Harrop who is well known for being very vocal in his passion for the arts and is noted at standing up for the arts through all sorts of media be it newspaper, radio or public meetings.
He is a Sculptor and was the Managing Director of the original Towngate Theatre (some people would say 'in it's heyday!').

He is now the director of the Basildon Heritage Trail, which was his concept that he has brought to life with the professional help of Bob Fisher, Frances Clamp and Liz Grant. I have more recently had an input by doing research on the history of Basildon from March this year.

A larger than life personality.

http://www.essexgallery.org.uk/

Vin's a real sweetie!

Vin was so sweet, previously the week before an article was published about the Heritage Project with this photo on it. There was no picture of me, nor was I mentioned even though I was there and the journalist had spoken to me too. I had a little moan, but it wasn't the end of the world. But a week later I open my daily Evening Echo and this is what I see ' Our success in getting this off the ground is down to one person, our researcher, Lisa Horner... and you can read the rest, just click to enlarge. I really can't take all that credit - but it was a wonderful gesture - I was very touched - bless you Vin.

Speakers Corner (Hyde Park Corner)

Love the headgear! (above)

He knows everything he does!

Those who know me, can you

spot some familiar faces in the

crowd above? Click to enlarge.

Extreme People!

One lady said that god favoured a tree to us as it was more loyal to him and scathed humanity and that included all who were watching her. I could quote what other people had said but am afraid it would cause too much controversy and arguments.

What was quite entertaining was the banter, these people who chose to stand up in front of all the people with their strong beliefs were extremely brave, but you got people mocking them. Unfortunately for the speakers the ironic humour of the heckler was quite entertaining.

I would say I found it stimulating, and there were some unusual characters about. I liked my hug at the end, apparently the guys giving away the Free Hugs are very well known on You Tube.

This link explains a lot about Speaker's Corner http://www.offtolondon.com/hyde_speak.html

IDENTITY

IDENTITY

His-story
Her-story
Your-story

Identifying with place - BASILDON
What do you want from your town, your neighbourhood have your say.

How this works out with the Events:
Poetry Corner now possibly Story Corner - emphasis on a personal history - his story, her story, your story. (Francis Clamp well known childrens book/history writer may do this workshop - yet to be confirmed.
Speakers Corner - Identifying with your town, your neighbourhood - what do YOU want from it. Vin Harrop will be down to say what he would like from his town - but what do you want?
Puppet workshop - Using personal history or local personalised history/identity as a theme, Nick Bond and Lisa Horner to do this one.

Mask workshop - Identity - Faces of Basildon - Charlie

Animation workshop - The identity of Basildon - Jack Norris
Headless Ghost Tour - Identifying with Basildons supposed history - ghoulishly delightful. Sara Vaz
Picnic in the Park, Painting in the park with treasure hunt, Nature walk and arty workshop all identifying with Northlands Park - Lisa Horner