July 2009
Drama Projects
Sarah's Story
We have just launched our latest drama partnership project between Valley and Vale, Genesis and Bridgend Women's Aid, which culminated in a live performance that included film and live theatre.
The piece looked at the life of a fictional character, 'Sarah', and her journey through domestic violence and on to leaving her partner and deciding custody of the children. The women felt strongly that they would like to raise awareness of some of the difficult issues that women face as they try to break away from an abusive partner.
The script is a powerful and moving snapshot into Sarah's life.
The women have been very active in taking on acting roles and directing the filmed and live scenes, they are also enjoying learning about camera and film skills through the film making process.
The live performance took place on June 26th at Bridgend Recreation Centre and we had such great feedback.
We would like to thank The Arts Council of Wales for the Beacon Award that made this project possible.
Drama Development Projects
We thought you might also like to see a snapshot of some of our exciting drama development projects in the pipeline for our drama department for the next 6 months:
Getting On - a 6 week programme for Years 9-11 looking at communication skills, conflict resolution, decision making etc with OCN accreditation in 'Introduction to Assertiveness & Decision making Skills'
Young Dads - In partnership with Bettws Surestart & Yellow - creating of piece of theatre exploring fatherhood from viewpoint of young men / boys - a weekly forum where young Dads can talk openly & to create play to take to schools/colleges/prisons etc
Parents Workshops - a programme of workshops to take place after school in primary schools for parents exploring bullying and other school related emotional health issues
Going Up - a transitions project for Year 6 pupils. These would be one day workshops to look at expectations/fears of going to secondary school & to give strategies to make transition smooth.
Independent Living Skills - input into Yellow's ILS course using role-play and forum theatre to practice skills and resolve conflict
Young Mums - Local health visitors have requested a drama group for young mums in the Ogmore Valley. This is in development.
School Phobic children and young people - we have also been asked to devise some workshops for young people who are School Phobic.
Top of the Mountain - A Community Arts for Development Project in Betws:
Betws Community Choir
Everybody seems to be really enjoying this new project and Laura Bradshaw our tutor seems to bring out the best in us. We have about 20 people including adults and children singing and making music together in this workshop, as well as performing in Betws, Cardiff and beyond and working towards an OCN. We will be performing at the Betws Festival on August 15th so come along and join in!
Digital Stories
The 'Football Diaries' project is going well. The idea we have is to tell the whole story of Betws, and we think everyone has a story to tell. If you have any old photographs and would like to share them, something to pass on to the next generation perhaps, we can help you to tell your story, eg. street parties, carnivals, jazz bands, old Betws, etc, and in the process, we will teach you Digital Media skills.
Textile Group
We are in the process of setting up a needlecraft group in the Sardis Media Centre in Betws . During these sessions we will teach the necessary skills to produce a community wall hanging, creating a patchwork of life in Betws, and using a variety of materials.
This wall hanging could be displayed throughout the village and maybe at other suggested venues. If you would like to be involved in this work, please contact us before September as places will be limited. You don't need to know how to sew, but just have an interest to get involved and learn new skills in this community project.
Parent and Toddlers
Our dance worker Paula Gray has started meeting with the Parent and Toddler group at the Life Centre in Betws on Wednesday afternoons.
The sessions are quite short, informal, fun and provide an alternative and creative way of interacting with your child using movement and music.
Forest Arts Project
We are starting a new Forest Arts project at Betws Primary School Nature Reserve in the autumn. In this After School project we'll be working with the children, getting to know the environment, learning valuable lost skills, looking after the Nature Reserve, learning and being creative outdoors. Our project worker Lynette Margerison (Forest Educator and Artist) has lots of exciting ideas for exploring Forest Arts with people in Betws.
Future Projects
Some future plans may include a Community Play for Betws and music workshops. Please let us know what you think or if you would like to be involved.
Contact Paula Richards, Alex Bowen or Melissa Thomas if you want more information on 01656 729246, mail@valleyandvale.co.uk.
'Dance Ability' Project 2009
We've just launched our new dance development project in partnership with Bridgend Day Centre so that we can offer new creative dance sessions to adults with learning disabilities across the borough.
Currently we are working in two venues, Ynysawdre Leisure Centre and Cwm Calon Day Centre, Maesteg and providing weekly creative sessions encouraging group-work, fitness, flexibility and good fun. In the future we hope to compliment the localised day service that BDC now offer the borough and set up additional sessions for the other day centres around Bridgend. This way everybody will have access to these workshops wherever they attend.
Due to our past successes with our dance disability group Good Company we hope to encourage new members with this new system that may not have been able to take part before. Potentially this could lead to performances and courses alongside collaborative projects with other Valley and Vale groups.
Betws Festival
Saturday 15th August 2009
12pm till 5pm - Betws Primary School field
Come and join us in the summer sun at the Betws Festival. Join in with music, dance, drama and arts sessions and watch fantastic creative performances made by the young people of Betws.
Enjoy all that Valley and Vale Community Arts can offer – you will find us in the Circus tent!!
Betws Summer School 2009
3rd – 15th August
This year Valley and Vale Community Arts will be running FOUR creative arts summer schools in Betws resulting in an exciting and creative community performance at the Betws Festival on the 15th August.
For the two-week project young people from Betws will be invited to take part in one of the following activities – Drama, Dance, Carnival Arts and Film/Music. Each day the groups will work together to create a performance or piece of work to be shown on the festival day. You also will get the opportunity to take part in other arts activities throughout the two weeks.
So, if you are interested in the arts, over 8yrs old and live in the Betws area then please contact us and we will give you all the details.
See you there!
Valley and Vale Community Arts
