Three young men Have created a film all about the green space of the Efford valley & surrounding area "Kevin Pike, Alex Stewart and Jason Phillips"
We were approached by a number of different people to make a short film about the Efford Valley . We were eager to do it, but we didn't have any idea what it was to be about. We originally planned to make a documentary, interviewing different residents in around the Efford area. However, this idea soon faded away when Doug Specht took us to the Plymouth Arts Centre to have a look at the current exhibition. We sat and watched the film “Buddleia “ by Anna Best. We then changed our idea to a contempary short film. Unfortunately we cannot show the film online as off yet but we do hope to have it soon, so please check us again in a week or two. web admin The arts programme has completed another successful phase. Following on from the start of the use of arts in Efford in 2006 artist Jayne Murray returned to deliver arts activities and develop a long-term programme within the community. Check it out on the Youth page link Beginning in September Jayne started to work with the Efford Youth Development Forum, a vibrant group of creative and resourceful young people. Jayne's brief from the HECP arts action group was to work with young people and the wider community to look at the green spaces in Efford. Work began in the Efford Valley – Efford's historic heart and biggest green space. The young people made a short film with Jayne about their experience of the valley, which can be seen online at You Tube (link). The project broadened out to ask the wider community using cards ‘What do you know about the Valley?' and ‘Why you do or don't use it?' 73 Efford residents replied. Jayne and the young people took their responses and selected three words they felt summed up how people thought about the valley. The young people collected leaves with which to write these words and create temporary pieces of art.
Many people thought the Valley was "lovely" and a "beautiful place to walk through", many others thought "there was nothing to see" and there was "no reason to go there". Writing ‘BEAUTY' highlights how the same Valley is thought of in different ways, questions what we think beauty is, and how it is made.
There were many stories about the Valley from years ago when "there was a little river going down it", when "you could see the Plym" and when "there was a farm in the middle". Other people said what might happen if they went there. Writing 'IMAGINE' reflects the memories and imagination of Efford residents and suggests that the Valley will change in the future. Many people including the young people felt they wouldn't take the chance of using the Valley; "you don't know what's down there", "you can't see who might be hiding" and it was a "dangerous place where bad things happened". Writing 'RISK' sums up this situation of wanting to use the Valley but not feeling safe to do so. The words will disappear naturally or by human hand over time. The art programme continues over the coming months with two commissions being undertaken by staff and pupils at Lipson Community College . |
