The security and longevity of this project could not have happened without the generosity of many funders, but the greatest and most imaginative of all has been The Ernest Hecht Foundation whose vision has enabled us to continue to support this work and all who collaborate together for the children and the schools they attend in Bridport and the surrounding area.
https://ernesthechtcharitablefoundation.org
Opera Circus collaborators and volunteers with a number or local organisations in Bridport, in particular, a CIO called HOME in Bridport. https://home-in-bridport.weebly.com
HOME was founded by Robert Golden in 2016 to offer support to food projects for children through Edible Food Gardens established in primary schools in the town. Led by volunteer and expert gardener Sarah Wilberforce, the gardens have been a great success in particular at St. Mary’s Primary School Bridport, where a professional gardener and a team of volunteers run gardening clubs, teach how to plant and grow food, give cookery workshops and explore biodiversity and nature. A second garden was created at Bridport Primary School and we hope a third is on its way. Much work is aligned with the school curriculum at St Mary’s and with the new government guidance coming in from September, Opera Circus is working alongside local community artists, towards an Arts Based Learning pilot programme with the school – funding willing.
Every year we support HOME with the Tamarisk Farm visits for over 120 children from 3 schools over 4 days by arranging for a group of community artists to work alongside the children, evaluating and producing art-work for display.
This year we are planning a Children’s Art Exhibition at the Tithe Barn in Symondsbury thanks to the generosity of the Estate. Provisional dates are the 3rd and 4 th October.
The artists involved are Eileen Haste, Rowan Beecham, Jo Burlington, Heather Fallows and Ricky Romain. Sammy Hurden and Zangi will develop songs and Georgie King, curate the exhibition.
This project really is one of the best collaborations we participate in, good trusting ego free partnerships, caring and committed volunteers, wonderful gardeners, brilliant farmers and above all the schools and staff whose open-minded willingness and understanding allows us to develop this work alongside them. And of course there are the children.
Robert Golden is at the moment editing a documentary about the development of the Edible Garden Project and the importance of such programmes where even children in rural areas don’t know where their food comes from.
