Snow cancels workshops

A bitter disappointment for all concerned (no pun intended). Camborne School has no option but to cancel tomorrow's workshop because of today's heavy snowfall, which continued until midday. Culdrose (Naval Station) is predicting more.
A real shame as we had spent a lot of time preparing for this. A date to be rescheduled for the New Year.

A blizzard and plans for tomorrow

In Cornwall having set aside a day to prepare for tomorrow's workshop at Camborne School. But woke up to thunder and lightning and a blizzard. At this rate it looks as if today's meetings (in Helston and elsewhere) will be cancelled. Unless there is a sudden thaw, not sure how I will be able to get to Camborne. Let alone all the people who are coming to work with me.
Have an email from Judith Cook, who is up county (Liskeard) i.e. about 45 miles away. No snow in sight there.

Preparations for the next round of workshops

In Cornwall, making preparations for the next round of workshops. Starting in Camborne on 30 November. Interviewing potential people for the team. At long last have the chance to go to one of the Media Sub  Group meetings with Judith Cook in Truro (Judith is over-seeing the Migration Impact Fund work by various groups.)
A sunny day with a frosty start.
Making notes en route in Truro.

Workshops and next steps

Thinking about where the project is going and how it is developing... During the workshops we did earlier this year, it became clear that we were tackling a few crucial issues:
- the important role played by migrant workers in the economy. We visited schools, sometimes in the heart of agricultural areas depending on migrant labour, where students had little idea of the activity all around them.
- prejudice against the outsider - or anyone who is 'different' in close-knit communities. We heard examples of outright prejudice - 'They should go back to their own countries'. And the occasional very sad story of bullying and racism.
It's clear that in the current - dire - economy, that there are going to be changes in patterns of migrant labour. Many eastern Europeans, for example, have returned as economies at home have strengthened.
But many migrant workers remain in Cornwall. Agriculture, for example, still depends on them
So the emphasis of the workshops will turn rather more to the experience of migration and the experience of host communities. We just don't have the resources to undertake detailed surveys of local socio economic trends. But we can take fresh and challenging workshops into schools, with migrant workers, to hopefully open minds, stimulate debate and increase understanding.
But still - the first thing is to find a team!
Things are slowly coming together....

Polish buns in Shepherds Bush

In London, but thinking about Cornwall as we are just pulling together a team for the next round of workshops in school. am reminded of Ewa Cimochowska, who helped with workshops earlier this year, by the Polish bakery a few doors down the street from my office in Shepherds Bush.
Very interesting how pastries can have such a strong cultural stamp.
Ewa is a fantastic cook, as anyone who sampled her cheesecake at the Workshop we held at Truro Library will know...

Job Opportunity

I PACKED THIS MYSELF: Bringing local communities and migrant workers together in Cornwall
As regular blog readers will know... We've been working in schools, youth groups and churches with funding from the Migration Impacts Fund. The aim: to build bridges and increase understanding.

We're currently looking for someone to join the team as schools workshops leader. This work will be occasional and paid by the session. It would suit anyone who cares about social justice - and is articulate, passionate, committed and adaptable. It will involve going into schools with a team of migrant workers, addressing assemblies and classrooms and leading discussions. Workshops last year proved highly successful and schools are asking for more. Could you help? Please email me (info@bridging-arts.com) or call 0794 12 52 444.

Advertising for a team

Pulling together a team and spreading the word: have emailed around today and also put an ad in the West Briton. This worked well in the spring - but we did advertise online as well then. Since, prices have shot up - so for the time being we're sticking to print. It will be interesting to see the response.