Making Place Irregular News: November 23

Hello All
It's been a while since the last Making Place Newsletter but, hey, if it was too regular it wouldn't be "irregular" would it ;-)

Much has happened at Making Place Central: new partnerships in the offing, inspirational Road Trips to Gloucester, Stroud and Billingham and at least 2 Makers & Menders Sessions since I last wrote to you.  A tribe of 10 Makers & Menders loved visiting Gloucester Resource Centre and The Long Table in Stroud recently to explore these fabulous organisations on our doorstep. 

And I went on a wild research adventure with my best Fest-buddy Loz of Callous Creations all the way up to Billingham in the North West to meet Annie Sloan (of chalk paint fame) and Wayne Hemmingway - Red or Dead, for those of us old enough to remember, and founder of the Festival of Thrift.  An inspirational weekend ensued and I returned with new thrifty skills, many second hand wins, and a myriad of ideas which I've carefully placed in the Making Place 'Fridge' to keep cool until the time is right to bring them out! 

And of course so much is happening in the world around us which serves to sharpen my focus and, at times, pull the rug out from under me. When I look out into our chaotic world it increases my sense of urgency, panic and overwhelm: "look how much needs doing; it all needs to happen now; how on earth can I do anything that will make a difference?"  Do you feel that too?

The risk in this heightened state is to freeze, to hide away and to do nothing.  Or to perceive that what one is trying to do is way too little way too late.   It was in one such 'pulled rug' moment I was sent this profound and moving piece co-authored by Bayo Akomolafe and Marta Benavides - The Times are Urgent: Let's Slow Down that I really wanted to share with you.  

It reminded me that what we are doing - coming together to share our skills; making and mending together, supporting and amplifying everybody's inherent creativity - is a radical act.  Making Place is as much about connecting a community in a spirit of exploration and curiosity as it is about using our creativity and skills to come up with whatever is needed and to fix what is broken.  In Bayo & Marta's words "In [these] circles, our hands will be occupied with the serious business of reclaiming territory, creating value, and reconnecting with others....".   

So I invite you too, in 'rug pull' times, to consider yourself part of a movement of change.  By coming together authentically and creatively we are seeding the potential for the new and the hopeful and the beautiful.
 
Look around.
Really look.
What colours, patterns, potential do you see?
Take time.
Pay attention.
Turn up in your own skin,
not the ill fitting costume that others might expect.
Chat.
Pah to plastic
let plants prevail.
Be wild.
Be weird.
Be kind & curious.
Questions are the key to the new.
You can't know all the answers.
Revere the artists.
Laud the Makers & the Menders.
They own the future.
Be one.

And now.... upcoming joy in the form of the Scrubditch Care Farm Christmas Fair!  Some of the Making Place Makers & Menders are looking forward to taking part again this year and will be selling their wares.  It's always a fantastic event with loads to see, beautiful gifts to buy, yummy local produce and all of it in aid of this special local charity, so please do pop along on Saturday 2nd December if you can.