Today was the last of the engagement walks for a #canalsidearcana project. IlThe group used the cards themselves to identify plants growing along the cut and it was wonderful the way that people interspersed the folklore on the cards with their own thoughts and memories of the plants too.

Social capital is often the missing ingredient in place-based regeneration.

We’re looking at how to identify, measure & strengthen it at the hyperlocal level.

💬 Dan Crowe (3ni)
💬 @annafrancisart.bsky.social‬
💬 Robin Fry (North East Combined Authority)
🪑 @gracepollard.bsky.social‬

#StrongerThings

great to be here

@wearenewlocal.bsky.social great to be at #strongerthings today and looking forward to sharing our #100yearplan for our neighbourhood #theportlandinnproject later

A lovely #earthday workshop at The Portland Inn Project today where we all made commitments to nature 💚celebrating our #morethanhumanneighbours with our nature portraits

Thanks so much Carola 💚it was so good to have you there 🍀

I shared what has worked and what the challenges are for our neighbourhood, and particularly why long term approaches need to be prioritised, with more policy focus needed to enable and support community power. Also really enjoyed the nighttime castle and the bats!🦇

I’ve been at St George’s House, Windsor Castle for a 24 hour event exploring what works in ‘Rebuilding Communities: Social Capital and Neighbourhood Renewal’
The House is reserved as a space for discussion around issues of national and international importance.

Thanks Jerome 💚this is great

Evolution & ecology offer us guidance on successfully tackling extremist monocultures: their domination is weakened by increased diversity.
By growing more resilient diverse social/political/media ecosystems, we undermine toxic superpower, from the bottom up.

Lovely winter event in the Spode Rose Garden yesterday- making bug hotels, toasting marshmallows and having a tidy up with Staffordshire Wildlife Trust. 🍀

So much has been happening on site this month - we are at the stage of discussing where the kiln will go, materials for floors and will be aiming to be watertight by end of next month! Roof coming soon #theportlandinnproject #retrofit #communityled #artistled

“I want the separation between the expression of politics in the gallery & the practice of politics in life to disappear. I want the institution to understand: if you want us inside you need to listen to us outside. Ceasefire now, arms embargo now free Palestine.”
www.theguardian.com/artanddesign...

me please 🙏

Assembly line today for the #canalsidearcana set cards of common canal plants - folklore, herbal properties & general info #UKcanals ready for Saturday’s launch - see you on the #caldoncanal between Hanley Park and Etruria - thanks to Glen, Hazel and Dina for support today 💚while I have a poorly kid

What’s been going on with our #theportlandinnproject retrofit this month? All of our green block is going in to create the internal walls and we are close to building floors! #sustainablebuilding #communityled #cultureledregeneration

Exciting update from our friends at Dreadnought Tiles re the info plates for A Canalside Arcana launching on 7th December. These info plates are printed onto a creasing tile made of our local Etruria Marl Clay and high fired to this lovely dark colour. Completed with how this is coming together.

COP29 is into overtime, with small island states & least developed nations walking out of the proposed financing deal and news that negotiating text was hand-edited by a member of the Saudi energy ministry. More here: www.dw.com/en/cop29-cli... and here: www.theguardian.com/environment/...

I really enjoyed reading about where the salt comes from thanks @edconway.bsky.social

Exciting to see Appetite Stoke sharing the launch for A Canalside Arcana ceramic art trail - celebrating our canal plants today - all the info here appetite.org.uk/event/arcana... #UKcanals - there will be sets of cards and badges to collect and ceramic plaques to spot

Did u know? Winter's all about plotting for next season in the wildlife garden. Everyone loves roses. They're beautiful & their scent is divine, but if you plant a new one, make sure it's an open rose, like this Kiftsgate. Its simple blooms allow pollinators easy access to pollen. Be more rosy.🌱🌿🪲🐙🌍

and also of course - sorry i will stop - couldn’t just choose one - i could go on 😂

a favourite for a sunday

one of mine but then there’s also