Green Drinks @ The Apricot Centre

Here’s a blog post on behalf of Green Drinks, a group for local eco friendy and green minded people; who meet here on the 21 of each month. Robbie Spence on behalf of the group wanted to showcase their visit to the Apricot Centre organic market garden on Saturday 21 April for a tour and lunch.

The old shipping container

We began in the Centre’s meeting room, which is made of converted shipping containers.  Containers like this are used only a few dozen times and end up being sold on Felixstowe docks for a few hundred pounds apiece. Once the end walls are cut out and replaced with floor-to-ceiling glass, they provide light and bright, cheap and recycled accommodation.

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This week’s guest events @15queenstreet

Join us throughout the week for seven varied guest events. Held by our members for the creative community.

Green Drinks  -  Monday 21 
7.30 - 9.30pm
Pam Nelson hosts Green Drinks every 21st of the month. This group isn’t about enjoying green drinks, but aimed at green minded people getting together for a drink. This month they are discussing their previous visit to the Apricot Centre plus Emily Harrup of Wombat Car Club will be giving a talk.
Read more & RSVP

Food Exchange  -  Monday 21 
7.30pm
Note! This event is held at the Chocolate Studio this month
Join the growing collection of local foodies cooking up a storm and exchanging their creations at this monthly event. This month they are heading to the Chocolate Studio  for an hour’s hands-on demo and tasting. They’ll be learning how to temper chocolate in to practice for what we make for June’s event (Cakes & Chocolates). Then exchanging this month’s food theme - Pies & Pastries.
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Screenwriters  -  Tuesday 22 
7.30 - 9.30pm
A growing network for screen writers meet twice a month here at 15 Queen Street. This week they will be providing feedback on one script, analysing the first plot point and break into the second act of a narrative. They will also continue to brainstorm ideas for the 50 kisses screenwriting competition.
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Sumi Ink Club  -  Friday 25 
7pm - til late
Join our flexible member Rob Lock for the monthly illustration workshop, Sumi Ink Club! Using the Japanese ink known as ‘sumi’, Rob invites you to the building to simply grab a brush and pour some ink! The club is now also exhibiting the work produced from their meetup on This One Wall, Colchester’s street gallery. Find out more here.
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Embroiderers’ Guild  -  Saturday 26 
10am - 12 noon
£5
Join the Guild on Saturday morning for a crafty workshop using different techniques to produce interesting textiles to embroider into. This class isn’t about embroidery, but experimenting with new materials and ideas to keep you inspired.
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Inspiration for Creative Writing Workshop
Saturday 26,  1 - 2pm
£30/20 concession
Sarah Banham, aka For the Love of Books runs a monthly workshop for local writers to develop and explore their inspiration. It’s a helpful and informative workshop for those having difficulty in getting started or continuing with their Work in Progress.
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Film Shoot Sunday
Sunday 27, 11am - 4pm
The film nextwork Film Colchester take over the building on the fourth Sunday of the month to get involved with various local projects needing actors, film makers and anyone else who wants to get involved They meet and collaborate on projects filming around the town. Join their facebook group for more info and to let them know if you have a project that needs support.
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Call for artists!

Essex & South Suffolk Community Rail Partnership are looking to commission an artist to produce artwork to brighten up Braintree Freeport Station.
 
They want your ideas. It could be on a railway theme, shopper theme, or local theme. The station is located at Freeport shopping centre. If you are interested please submit your CV’s and idea’s to Lynda Stone via email by the 6 June.

They have funding of £9,000 for the complete project. They would prefer Braintree artists for the projects, but local Essex artists can still apply.
 
If you require any further information please telephone Jayne Sumner on 01245 435772.

Opportunity @ Momentum

Having had a great couple of years, momentum is growing its team again. We are looking for a developer to support existing client work and to also work on upcoming new projects.

Working across design and front-end development, your role will be to implement new functionalities to existing websites and develop new systems from scratch.

This position is ideal for those with a solid set of existing skills but looking to develop further. If you have had experience with a growing business, this position is for you.

One important point! They want a back end developer with a good understanding of front end development. Someone who writes strong markup and knows how to bring it to life. Front end will not need to be your strong point but we expect a very good understanding of it..

For more details on the job please visit the site here.

To apply please email studio@builtwithmomentum.com with your CV, a bit about you and some of your work. If you need more information please call 01206 225234.

Real Circumstance Lab : Fundraising

Saturday 19th May
10am-6pm
Mosaic Publicity, 11 St Peter’s Court, St Peter’s Street, Colchester CO1 1WD
£50.00 (plus £3.65 booking fee)
Read more & RSVP

We heard about a Real Circumstance Lab happening here in Colchester on Saturday 19.

The labs enable you to take control of your creative career within an encouraging and informal environment. The Labs are suitable for both individual artists and theatre companies. Join them for a day-long Fundraising Clinic featuring talks, practical sessions, and group tutoring.

The Fundraising Lab takes a comprehensive approach to developing your fundraising skills, covering:

• How to present yourself and your artistic identity
• Fundraising Strategies
• Approaching funders and partners:
• Budgeting:

The Lab will be delivered by Anna Bewick, Creative Producer of Real Circumstance and Arts Consultant. She has a proven fundraising track record, consistently raising funds from Arts Council England, charitable foundations, local and regional councils, co-producers, and private donors.

Anna will be tailoring the Labs to the participants, so the sooner you book, the more bespoke the Labs can be. They are also running the Labs at a subsidised rate in order to widen access and participation. Just get in touch to find out more.

Places are limited, so please book soon to avoid disappointment. Visit the eventbrite page to book your place!

Creative Showcase: Maryann Morris

Meet Maryann. She’s the creative mind behind the new independent shop Handmade High Street, a space selling handmade wares and hosting crafty workshops on Sir Isaacs Walk. We popped round to ask a few questions behind her new venture.

When and why did you start Handmade High Street?
Handmade High St is a brand new venture of mine, I had a craft studio at Barleylands in Billericay, but in October 2011 we decided to move to Colchester, thinking that the drive to work every day wouldn’t be too bad, especially as my car runs on LPG. I didn’t expect the drive in itself to be so tiring and the 45 minutes I anticipated it would take turned into more like 2 hours each way. So we started looking for premises in Colchester. Which is when I realised I wouldn’t have the same restrictions I had at Barleylands and could sell anything I liked! There the idea so Handmade High St is born!

What’s happened since it started? Tell us a bit about your journey.
Well to start with I had to decide and stick to it that I would leave Barleylands. I absolutely loved it there. Then we have had problems with the roof leaking 2 days before opening. But its no fun if it all goes to plan right? We have only been open here a week now and I have already met so many wonderful people from the area. I didn’t realise how much creative talent there is here!

How can people get involved? Do you still have space for creatives to sell their wares?
By popping in for a chat, taking a look at the “about us” page on the website, emailing  or just giving me a call 1206764771 we have a little space still available for the right crafters.

Do you have any tips for people starting their own creative business?
Yes - Don’t expect it to be easy! There are so many people fighting to get the same sales. Convincing people why they should buy from you can be hard. But incredibly rewarding. I didn’t expect the sheer volume of paperwork, or the long hours that I need to put it. But it is all worth it in the end!

What do you think buildings like 15 Queen Street can offer creative people in towns like Colchester?
Colchester seems full of creative people, and its nice that they have somewhere to collectively meet, discuss their work or use the facilities. Sometimes creatives work can be dismissed as a “play job” or just not worthwhile by people that just don’t get it. So its nice to have a place where people do!

Thank you Maryann. We feel your shop provides a similar service, a great place to showcase the wonderful talent in the town. Keep up the great work!