The National Gallery in Bridgwater

The National Gallery in London is 200 years hundred old this year! And to celebrate its birthday, it’s taking some of its paintings on the road. Thanks to SEED, Bridgwater residents are lucky enough to be on the map for this road trip and we are one of 18 locations around the country to be visited by the Van! Cllr Irena Hubble (Fairfax West, Labour) is the Council spokesperson for the Arts,Heritage and Culture, and she says “It all started  at the Cornhill and in the pop-up shop in Angel place. If you go to the ex- fruit and veg shop, you’ll find it has been turned into an art Salon- hosting reproductions of some of the greatest paintings in the National Gallery.Last week we were treated to lecture on the painter TURNER. The lecture was a conversation in which the participants were invited to contribute their thoughts and ideas about the paintings. It was most informative and I think we all thought we saw something new in the paintings by discussing it with others around us and sharing ideas. It was very thought-provoking..”

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21 Years of the Engine Room

Somerset Film Cake (pic D Defazio)

The Official opening of the Engine Room 3.0 took place today by the Mayor of Bridgwater Cllr Jacqui Solomon. The event was marking the completion of the building’s recent transformation and celebrate 21 years of the Engine Room. Cllr Solomon said “Congratulations on 21years of great input to the world of film. A county wide film project with it’s feet firmly in Bridgwater. The new refurbishment not only makes the whole building accessible and useful but also ensures it’s future for the next 21years.Massive thanks to all the all the agencies involved and the dedicated staff that have ensured the future of this project

Julien Temple, film director and Engine Room patron

Patrons

Also speaking at the event film director Julien Temple described the creation of the centre as ‘transformative‘ for a town like Bridgwater and where ‘life changing events could take place for so many people who have been denied this’.

Founder Phil Shepherd listed Julien Temple, a key patron of the centre, as ‘one of the many hands that made this place work’

Origins

Mayor of Bridgwater Cllr Jacqui Solomon at the Engine Room event

Cllr Tim Mander (Labour Westover) Chair of the Amenities Committee, worked as Estates valuer for Sedgemoor District Council when the centre was established. He commented “Little did I know just over 21 years ago that a brief initial conversation with Phil Shepherd of Somerset Film and Video would lead to the development of such a fine facility as the Engine Room which culminated in today’s grand event and celebration. At the time I was responsible for Sedgemoor’s Commercial Estate which included a fairly down at heal former garage/second hand furniture store No 52 High Street. Phil was keen to explore any opportunity to accommodate his concept of a Community Media Centre. As the building was vacant it seemed sensible to run with the idea and what started initially on the basis of a 10-year lease soon became more permanent with the adjacent former TIC No 50 Hi gh Street, including the derelict 1st and 2nd floors, soon added. As the saying goes, from little acorns giant oaks will grow, so I was particularly pleased to have played a very small part and was honoured to be invited to this celebration and remain thankful that Bridgwater has been able to host this magnificent organisation”

A Clash Town

One of the key events that launched the Engine Room and helped with the initial funding was the concert by Joe Strummer and the Mescaleros at the Palace in 2002.

Joe Strummer

Town Council Leader Brian Smedley played at that gig and remembered the event “Strummer was very important for Bridgwater. When others put the town down he stood up for it. He described it as ‘a Clash Town’. And he was right. It’s undustrial, it’s working class and it’s full of creative people and it’s full of rebels. The Engine Room is a brilliant hub for all the above and long may it continue. Joe Strummer sadly died in December 2002 but each year the town holds a ‘Clash Day in February when musicians take to the streets and play Clash songs. The town is also twinned with the US city of Seattle home of KEXP radio that links up every year for ‘Clash Day’. The twinning proclamation was originally signed in ..where else..the Engine Room.”

Bridgwater Town Council Launches Life-Saving Defibrillator Initiative

Cllr Liz Marsh, Community Spokesperson for BTC

Bridgwater Town Council has announced a new initiative aimed at enhancing public safety by installing 24/7 public access defibrillators in areas currently lacking these critical life-saving devices. The locations of these devices is key and Bridgwater Town Council need your help to ensure these defibrillators are placed where they are most needed. Ideal spots might include parks, social clubs, popular cycle routes, or local cafés. Councillor Liz Marsh (Labour, Victoria)  the Community spokesperson for the Town Council, said of the initiative, “Working together, we can ensure that life-saving defibrillators are accessible to all, especially in areas where they are most needed. I’d like to ask everyone to help us with identifying the best locations for these devices.”

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It’s Heritage Week Here in Bridgwater (and everywhere else)

History needs remembering

Heritage Open Days 2024 will take place from 6 to 15 September. Bridgwater will be participating with a variety of events and activities that showcase the town’s rich history and hidden gems. Bridgwater Town Council spokesman for all things historical, cllr Brian Smedley (Westover) said “Bridgwater loves its history so here’s an opportunity for people to get stuck in ahead of this years annual history day set for 28th November. There’s history all around us. Get looking and learning.!”

Dr Miles Kerr-Peterson, Glasgow University

On Wednesday 11 September at 7:30pm in Victoria Park Community Centre, The Bridgwater & District Civic Society will be hosting a talk on “Bridgwater’s lost medieval castle”. Miles Kerr Peterson will delve into the history and archaeology of Bridgwater’s hidden medieval castle It is free admission for society members, £3 for non-members, more information at https://bridgwatercivic.org.uk/events/

The Bridgwater Arts Centre, the country’s first arts centre, will open its doors for guided tours on 9, 10, 11, and 13 September at 2:00pm. Visitors are encouraged to arrive at least 10 minutes before the tour starts, with no booking required.

The Engine Room café and film centre will also be participating, offering visitors a chance to see and enjoy their newly refurbished café. Local archive films will be shown on their screens during café hours, visit https://www.somersetfilm.com/the-engine-room for more information.

On Saturday 14 September there are a number of events happening in and around Bridgwater.

Marie Emmerson ‘Brick and Tiles Museum’

Somerset Film will be digitising archive film from the C S John Sparkes Collection at Café Burtle (Burtle Village Hall) between 10:00am – 12:00pm. This activity is part of the A Village Apart, Villages Together project, supported by the National Lottery Heritage Fund. Discover more about the project, see some of the archive that has captured local life and digitise some of the 8mm film.

The Somerset Brick and Tile Museum are hosting two tours on Saturday 14 September at 10:30am and 1:00pm. Booking is required via: https://swheritage.org.uk/events/heritage-open-day-tours/

Additionally, there will be a walking tour of Wembdon Road Cemetery at 10:00am organised by the Friends of Wembdon Road Cemetery. This free tour, led by Miles Kerr Peterson, will explore the history of the cemetery, notable stories of those buried there, and the restoration work by volunteers.

Blake Museum in Blake Street, Bridgwater, the house where Robert Blake is said to have been born, will be open as usual from Wednesday 11until Saturday 14 September from10:00am – 4:00pm (Last entry at 3:00pm). It is free to enter , however donations are always welcome.

For information on what is on offer throughout England for Heritage Open Days, visit https://www.heritageopendays.org.uk/

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‘SEED THE DAY’ Bridgwater’s Very Own Vegan Fair is on 14th September

Bridgwater’s own Vegan and Eco festival’SEED THE DAY’ is making a welcome return on Saturday 14th September. This event, which has been a feature of the varied food offer in our town centre, has been going since 2019. This year the event will be in Blake Gardens.  and is free for visitors to attend between the hours of 1000am and 3pm. The event is expected to bring in vegan (and vegan-curious) visitors from regions near and far to enjoy all things plant-based and cruelty free.   The market will deliver fresh and exciting vegan products and produce, from an array of vegan street food, baked goodies and sweet treats to sustainable clothing brands, cruelty-free cosmetics and beauty products, and ethical arts and crafts stalls, to name but a few. There will also be a selection of children’s entertainment including face painting and giant bubbles.

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