CC(3) AC 12

Communities and Culture Committee

Inquiry into the „accessibility of arts and cultural activities in

Submission from Communities First in Fach.

Chris Jobber – Communities First Central Support Team (RCTCBC) Wendy Rees – and Communities First Coordinator Steve Smith – Cymmer Communities First Coordinator

Accessibility of arts and culture is integral to local regeneration which has been evidenced across Communities First Partnerships in in particular in the Rhondda Fach.

In the Rhondda Fach Ynyshir and Wattstown Communities First and Cymmer Communities First have worked in partnership, in particular with Chamber of Trade and South Wales Inter Cultural Arts (SWICA) and have been fortunate to secure Arts Council funding for a number of arts and cultural projects, which have enabled local community residents to access arts and culture at a local level.

It should not be underestimated how difficult it can be to engage community members from deprived areas to engage in activities, if arts and culture were only available in Cardiff this would be a great injustice to the Valley communities, often they are reluctant to travel out of their ‘comfort zones’ and this can be due to financial reasons but also due to lack of self esteem and self confidence also the poverty of aspiration should not be underestimated.

The support of the Arts Council has enabled us locally to deliver workshops across the communities in costume design and creation, dance, drumming and lantern making. Workshops were in preparation for events including Porth Carnival and Porth Lantern parades, because we have been successful for a number of years we have seen the project develop from an embryonic idea into successful arts and cultural events, one in the Summer – Porth Carnival with the workshops being pivatol the event, without the workshops there would be no parade and really no carnival. We also have undertaken Lantern workshops which have led to Lantern Parades, again without the workshops there would be no lantern parade.

So we would like to say a massive thank you to the Arts Council and their continued support over the last few years.

Omnibus Survey

Younger adults are much more likely than older adults to attend an arts event

– this has not been evidenced by us, indeed we have found that the workshops we were able to put on and the events draw in people of all ages and we see the project as being inter generational. Although the workshops have been the lynch pin for the events to take place, they have also encouraged other cultural activities to participate, for instance in conjunction with the parade for Porth Carnival we have also held an Art Exhibition, the majority of people displaying work are generally older people (over 50’S)

Participants in workshops have ranged from 6 months to 70+ and included some people with disabilities.

Females are more likely than males to attend an arts event

- this has not been evidenced by us, for the workshops it could be true that there are more women than men, particularly for dance, however the events that are the culmination of the workshops see an even spread of age and gender. Porth Carnival regularly attracts over 5,000, while the Lantern Parade 2008 attracts in excess of 7000 people and saw over 250 lanterns made by local community members in the parade.

The Partnership approach with SWICA should also not be underestimated

31% of Welsh Adults take a direct part in artistic activities once a year or more, but Welsh Speakers are more likely than non-Welsh speakers to directly participate in such events

- This has not been evidenced by us and overwhelmingly the participants have been English speakers, however one of the key elements for the success of our project has been engagement with local Schools which include English and Welsh speakers. Again we believe that the local level of accessibility has enabled us to engage with our communities and now we frequently have Schools contacting the Partnerships asking when their young people can become involved.

Background

Porth Carnival was an imaginative and creative idea which continues to develop today, through a partnership of organisations and individuals, including Porth Chamber of Trade representatives, RCTCBC Town Centres, Communities First Area Coordinator, Police, local elected members, and local CF Partnerships. At its outset there were numerous objectives that the Carnival was set up to tackle: including promoting Porth Town Centre as a shopping and cultural centre for the Rhondda Valleys, increasing the footfall within the town centre both on the day and in future, providing a focus for the development of participative arts in the valleys, being a focal point for surrounding communities to celebrate their own culture and learn about others and finally as way for groups, organisations and communities to come together to interrelate and have fun. From this, has mushroomed other artistic and cultural events which have increased community participation in the arts

As an example, In 2007 additional activities were undertaken which included a 3 day Art Exhibition at Porth Plaza celebrating the success of local communities art groups.

The first two carnivals were achieved in the main due to the enthusiasm, spirit and drive of the partnership which they passed on to a variety of groups and shopkeepers who decorated their premises and importantly for its development the young people of Porth and the surrounding communities. Working in youth clubs, Parent and Toddler groups, schools, churches, scout groups, etc. and with individual artists and volunteers the early carnivals were fun and frivolous but had people from across the valleys coming out to support.

Realising the need to become more professional in organisation and delivery the partnership through an Arts Council of Wales grant brought in South Wales Inter Cultural Association (SWICA) to further progress the carnival. At the same time more groups, businesses and people wished to become involved and the carnival continued to grow. This growth meant that the costumes artistically improved and the procession developed with samba bands and dancers. In addition the carnival became a wider cultural event with a local art group exhibiting their work alongside the local model club, the church had flower exhibitions and there was a choir to formally open the event on the Thursday before the Saturday.

With SWICA’s involvement and the introduction of Ben & Jude as costume designers and there ability to work with the community and appreciate the culture and heritage of the Rhondda the whole direction of the carnival shifted to become more inclusive through a professional approach.

This led to the carnival continuing to grow over the years with additional attractions like vintage car shows, rugby tournaments and farmers markets and venues increasing including The Rhondda Heritage Park Museum and Porth Rugby Club. This led to the introduction of a free shuttle bus between sites.

We had a vision for the carnival procession and this was more than fulfilled on the day with the synergy of the costume making, dance and percussion with Samba Galez providing a real carnival atmosphere.

Recognising the communities’ appreciation and willingness to engage with large scale art projects in 2008 the partnership with SWICA support and Arts Council of Wales funding produced the first and to date only Porth Lantern Spectacular.

With 2 weeks of workshops attended by all local schools and youth groups 10 large structures and over 160 individual lanterns were made. This led to a parade of over 200 people through Porth High Street to the new Cenataph, where a community concert was held. The procession then continued on its way up into the local park where the crowd of over 7,000 enjoyed dancers, various stalls and entertainment including a fire show and finally a firework display. However, although the event was such a great success by the community, some partners became nervous and anxious, so much so that they felt they could not support such a large event again (Police and RCT CBC Events Team)

Communities First Partnerships did not want to loose the enthusiasm their communities have developed for such participative events and decided to organise their own more local Lantern Parades.

Cymmer Communities First

In Cymmer following consultation with schools, youth clubs and our local police it was decided to have 3 parades for the different schools and communities to become involved in across the ward.

All 3 parades were a great success with over 350 participating in the parades, Each parade was then followed by a Christmas concert in local venues, where local School Children performed and sang Christmas songs in both English and Welsh and were supported by our own local brass band. These concerts r proved to be a great social networking event for the community to come together. In addition 1 of the parades stopped at the local OAP complex to sing carols – this was much appreciated by the local residents).

The Cymmer community and schools are at present really looking forward to both Porth Carnival 2010 and the local Lantern Parades due in November / December 2010.

Ynyshir and Wattstown Communities First

In Ynyshir and Wattstown it was decided by the community and schools that we would hold our own lantern workshops and have one parade from Aberllechau Primary School and another from Ynyshir Primary School joining together in the local church for a carol service. Local workshops were organised and held in the communities with parents and teachers getting involved. The event was organised with other partners including the police and local priest. Over 130 lanterns were made, the schools prepared the children involving them in singing and bell ringing practices to enable them to perform on the evening of the lantern parade. The event was being talked about throughout the community and parents were getting involved and assisting with the arrangements of the parades through the villages to the local church in Ynyshir.

Unfortunately it snowed on the day the parade was organised for and the event had to be called off due to health and safety concerns regarding the routes due to the snow and icy conditions, to say that the community were disappointed by the cancellation would be an under estimate and the amount of phone calls the Communities First office received with people almost begging to let the event go on. It should be noted that although the parade did not take place the lanterns were on full display in the church. Fortunately however, this has not deterred the communities and another parade has been planned for 2010.

Additional Information and Statistics

For Porth Carnival 2007: Targets and Achievements:

Workshop Target Achievement African Drumming 30 50 Dance 5 30 Costume Design and Creation 60 214

Activity Generated

 Costume Workshops

The two week residency for Costume Making with SWICA worked incredibly well with there being a real ‘buzz about town’, there was increased participation and engagement from Schools and Community Groups as well as individuals who attended workshops. Everybody who attended commented that they wanted to come again. Groups who attended the Carnival but did not get involved this year have indicated that they would like to get involved next year.

Groups participating in 10-day residency

Rhiwgarn Parent and Toddler - Busy Bees x 2 sessions Ynyshir Parent and Toddler x 2 Ynyhir and Pontygwaith Cubs x 1 Ynyshir Primary School x 2 Ysgol Gyfun Cymmer Art Students x 3 Rhiwgarn Freestylers x 3 Waun Wen After School Club x2 Scouts x2 Porth infants x2 Cymmer Dance x 3 Hafod Primary x 1 Ynyshir Stitching Group x 1 St Johns Stitching Group x 1 20 + individuals

 Master Classes in Dance

The Master Classes enabled a local established group ‘Rhiwgarn Freestylers’ to gain new and additional skills in dance – they then attended a number of costume making workshops becoming involved in creating their costumes and head dresses for the procession.

In addition a number of pupils from Ysgol Gyfun Cymmer attended classes and then on their own initiative identified other pupils form the School who attended dance classes but had never worked together to come together to form a group for the Carnival. They then also attended a number of costume making workshops becoming involved in creating their costumes and head dresses for the procession. It should be noted that the group were also invited to take part in Cardiff’s MAS parade in August, which they thoroughly enjoyed

 Percussion

Once young people attended workshops enthusiasm spread, with parents of children who had attended the costume making workshops volunteering to attend percussion workshops and take part in the procession on the day.

The workshops culminated in the Carnival procession on 14th July in Porth, we were extremely fortunate with the weather as the sun was shining for the procession, which was led by the Chamber of Trade with Samba Galez and the Percussion providing music and the carnival atmosphere, with dance troops at the front of the procession, costume workshop participants followed with other local groups also joining the procession. This was the largest and most organised procession that we have undertaken, with a real carnival atmosphere and comments from the procession being ‘brilliant’ and ‘fantastic’.

 Quality of work . We believe that we were very successful in achieving a high quality of work for the project, in order to oversee the event ‘Porth Carnival Organising Committee’ has been established, bringing together expertise from the local Partnerships and organisations from the local area, which meets on a regular basis.

In order to ensure high quality training leading to high quality performance we worked in partnership with South Wales Intercultural Community Arts (SWICA) to identify suitable tutors for Costume Creation and Design, Percussion and Master Classes in Dance

We had a vision for the carnival procession and this was more than fulfilled on the day with the synergy of the costume making, dance and percussion with Samba Galez providing a real carnival atmosphere.

 Equal Opportunities

It would be fair to state that all community members and groups that engaged and participated either in costume making workshops, percussion or dance benefited. We were keen to seek to engage with community groups and members from across the spectrum of ages and linked with all known local groups to encourage participation.

Participants ranged from 6 months to 70+ and included some people with disabilities.

To ensure that all could participate we ensured that venues for workshops were accessible to all and to increase accessibility transport was also provided as necessary.

Outreach activity took place via Communities First Teams linking with local groups and Schools within the area. All workshops were educational with an increase in participation from two previous carnivals. The culmination of all of the workshops being the Carnival Procession as well as Ysgol Gyfun Cymmer Dance Group being invited to participate in Cardiff’s MAS Parade in August.

All groups and Local Schools that participated over the last few years want to get involved with next year’s and groups that did not participate are keen to become increasingly involved in workshops next year. .

Supporting the Local Economy

One of our initial aims for the Carnival was to support the local economy and encourage people to use their local Town Centres, although in the first two years the events attracted people to the town it was a bit ‘hit and miss’ as to traders that saw an increase in trade on the day, however last years event not only saw all traders income up on the day but there was an increased footfall in Porth Town Centre with increase in trade for the following 6 weeks, we hope to build on this success and continue to benefit and support the local economy.

In addition due to the success and high profile of the event, new businesses coming into the Town Centre have purposely opened their doors on the day of the Carnival,. Due to the expected crowds which can provide a huge launch pad for new businesses to the Town.

Porth Carnival 2008

Following the success of 2007 and the enthusiasm from Community members who participated in workshops, Communities First were keen not only to undertake workshops in Costume Design and Creation, African Drumming and Dance again but also to expand participation to Communities First areas of and .

We had a vision for the carnival procession and this was more than fulfilled on the day with the synergy of the costume making, dance and percussion with Samba Galez providing a real carnival atmosphere, we would like to see these firm foundations built upon for future years, engaging with more groups and more local Schools and for the procession to be even bigger year on year.

In addition to the workshops and Carnival Procession, there are also additional attractions / stalls which take part, which again has seen an increase year on year, for example there were 21 stalls in 2006, 63 in 2007, 76 in 2008 and 100 in 2009.

The Carnival has also grown with regard to partners involved and the area the Carnival covers, for example last year we expanded from the two sites of Hannah Street, Porth and the Rhondda Heritage Park Museum to Porth Plaza with the Art Exhibition.

Lantern Festival 2008

Background

Following the success of Costume Creation and Design Workshops in 2007, Cymmer, Ynyshir & Wattstown and Communities First undertook workshops for their local communities to create their own lanterns and then take part in the Porth Lantern Parade, this was a ‘pilot’ project culminating in a parade through Porth Town Centre on 26th November 2007.

It was really well attended and brought the town to a stand still, it is the first time that this has been undertaken and it created a friendly, welcoming festive atmosphere that could be described as magical. It should be noted that 125 lanterns were made with over 4,000 people in attendance for the parade.

We were overwhelmed by not only the enthusiasm to take part in the lantern workshops, and to take part in the procession but in the numbers of people who turned up to watch. The amount of parents and guardians who turned up to support their children to take part in the Parade was another really pleasing factor of the event.

Following the success of 2007 we held a Lantern Festival in Porth for 2008, this will be on a bigger scale than the 2007 event and included lantern parade, dance and drumming with a finale of fireworks. This again was a partnership approach with the support of SWICA, with £10K being secured from the Arts Council of Wales towards the event, the overall cost of the event being £20K.

As with the Carnival we expanded the number of Communities First areas participating to include Llwynypia. We held 6 days of workshops – 2 in Ynyshir / 2 in Llwynypia and 2 in Cymer enabling community members to create and construct their own lanterns and take part in the parade. There was also Dance and Drumming Workshops available to community members.

Following engagement and participation in workshops everyone was encouraged to take part in Porth Winter Lantern Parade and Festival, which took place in Porth Town Centre on 28th November 2008.

This is a partnership approach between Communities First, Porth Town Centre Forum, Porth Chamber of Trade, Trading Standards, Police and a number of departments from Rhondda Cynon Taff and SWICA – South Wales Intercultural Community Arts.

Individually communities could not have put on this sort of event on their own and it goes to prove what true partnership working can achieve.