Peter Pan takes CB to neverland!

Last night saw the gateway members receiving their certificates from Kathyrn Hay, Principal of Curious Arts, a drama school based in Bournemouth. Kathyrn has been working with the group on their production of Peter Pan at the request of the CB project, who have been funding new activities and skills at the club, which caters for the social and learning needs of learning disabled adults from all over the New Forest. Scenery was made from materials from the Southampton Scrapstore and Costumes were kindly lent by the Brockenhurst players, with member Molly Mold, helping to dress the cast. A video of the show is currently being edited - so watch this space!

CB visits gypsy traveller project

This week we visited one of our commisioned projects being undertaken by Forest Bus.
Members of the local gypsy traveller communities are able to attend an after school session for parents and children.
The CB project is funding a trained worker to initiate parenting skills advice and the Scrapstore is providing recycled arts materials.
Forest Bus have an established history of working with gypsy traveller communities in the New Forest and we are pleased to be able to access their considerable expertise.
Most recently they have been also attracting members of the local settled community and the two groups have been able to mix in a relaxed, friendly atmosphere, breaking down the barriers of prejudice. Some very positive and innovative work is being done. Well done to Jane and her team.

Peter Pan - Dress Rehearsal at Gateway

We are now gearing up for the main event, next tuesday, when members of the Gateway Group will be gracing the stage for their production of Peter Pan. Pictured in full flow are Tony (Crocodile), Dawn (Tinkerbell) and Steve as Peter. We were able assisted by drama coach, Kathyrn Hay from Curious Arts and Costumes kindly lent by the Brockenhurst players.
The set, (including a pirate ship and palm trees), has been built and painted by the group using recycled materials from the Southampton Scrapstore.

CB Community Cocktails at the Scrapstore AGM

At the Scrapstore AGM on Tuesday 4th November, the CB Project served up something a little different - The Community Builders Speakeasy.

Against a background of 1920's music and portraits of President Roosevelt, Flappers and Al Capone, Stuart ran a silent movie showcasing the work of CB groups, complete with crackles and black & white film.

Later cocktails were served - but not just any old cocktails. The CB Project challenged the audience to come up with the key ingredients needed to make a community group sustainable. Split into 3 groups, the audience drew up recipe cards for 3 Community Cocktails with a list of the magic sustainable ingredients; people, venue, funding, publicity, etc. They were then able to make their cocktails up at the Speakeasy Cocktail Bar, with specially labelled ingredients.

The trick was to try and outwit the CB Project by guessing all the correct ingredients - and fair play to everyone at the AGM, you nearly got them all.