Fact 27: Most people are recycling plastic bottles, but did you know that you can recycle shampoo and bleach bottles from your bathroom?
Recycling fact: Most people are recycling plastic bottles, but did you know that you can recycle shampoo and bleach bottles from your bathroom? #wrexham#recyclingpic.twitter.com/5xWZI38aQ1
Fact 28: 25 two litre pop bottles can be recycled into an adult-size fleece jacket.
Fact 29: Tin cans, car tyres, trainers, foam coffee cups and leather can take over 50 years to decompose.
Fact 30: More and more of us in Wrexham are recycling plastic bottles, pots, tubs and trays. In fact, last year people in Wrexham recycled the equivalent weight of 150 of our recycling collection vehicles.
Dydd Llun 2 is on its way and as part of the celebrations on April 22, local poet Evrah Rose will be making her debut as Tŷ Pawb’s poet in residence.
Evrah Rose gained local acclaim for her poem ‘I am from Wrexham’, which she published on You Tube in January.
Since then she has been invited to be the poetic voice of Tŷ Pawb, being commissioned to write pieces inspired by the exhibitions and events held there.
When talking about her new role, Evrah Rose said: “To be given the opportunity to engage in poetry in such a vibrant community is beyond exciting.
“For me, Tŷ Pawb has become a thriving hub and I am very much looking forward to writing bespoke pieces there. It is such a privilege to have been asked to complete a residency, an opportunity I am extremely grateful for that will no doubt enhance my skills as a writer and performer.”
Evrah Rose will be performing as part of Dydd Llyn 2, a celebration for Tŷ Pawb’s first birthday. It is on Easter Monday, April 22, 11am-9.30pm.
Do you write poetry? If you would like some advice about your work, Evrah Rose is also open to talking to you and helping you to achieve your writing goals. Get in touch with the staff at Tŷ Pawb and they will be able to put you in touch.
The hospital was the center of a unique Polish community that flourished in the village for many years after it first opened in 1946.
Since the exhibition opened, many people have visited the museum to share their own fond memories and stories of the hospital community from years gone by.
To celebrate this, a special event is being planned at the museum to reunite the ‘Penley Poles’, their families and members of the Polish Hospital community.
If you know anyone who might be interested in coming along then please do let them know! We’d love to see as many people as possible attending to share their stories and maybe meet some old friends!
It will also be a chance to see some of the wonderful items which were salvaged from the hospital and are now on display as part of the exhibition.
How to get involved
The reunion will take place at the Museum on Saturday, May 11 at 2pm
For more information and to reserve a place, contact the Museum – 01978 297460 or email museum@wrexham.gov.uk
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Tŷ Pawb are hoping to score a winner with their next exhibition, bringing Wrexham’s significant footballing heritage to the fore.
Using historical artefacts and contemporary artworks relating to football, Futbolka will provoke responses to topics relating to access, equality and inclusion.
The title of the exhibition makes reference to the black and white striped uniform of the same name, which became the embodiment of post-revolutionary, soviet unisex clothing.
Futbolka will feature football shirts, scarves and other items taken from the Wrexham Museum archives and other private collections. These will be displayed alongside paintings, clothing, films and other artworks.
The wider programme relating to Futbolka will include tournaments, film screenings and a conference with speakers and panels discussing the topics of the exhibition.
“Something for all ages to enjoy”
Jo Marsh, Arts Lead for Wrexham County Borough Council and Tŷ Pawb’s Creative Director, says, “Futbolka will bring many aspects of Tŷ Pawb’s mission together as one cohesive whole. Its part of the ‘Make/Play’ season we are running in 2019/20.
“Futbolka will also represent many of our aims in relation to health and wellbeing in our county. Combining locally important artefacts and artworks with those of international significance will make for a delightful exhibition for all members of the community to visit.”
Lead Member for People – Communities, Partnerships Public Protection and Community Safety, Cllr Hugh Jones, said: “It is very fitting that Tŷ Pawb’s latest exhibition celebrates football, a sport which is such a huge part of Wrexham’s heritage.
“There will be something here for all ages to enjoy and I’m sure the accompanying programme of activities, discussions and film showings will draw a lot of local interest.
“It’s a continuation of a wonderfully varied and colourful programme of exhibitions Tŷ Pawb is delivering in 2019.”
Are you game?
Futbolka will be on show at Tŷ Pawb from May 4 – July 27
There will be a free public opening event on Friday May 3 at 6pm
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The first round of applications for Community Chest funding is open for 2019, with applications closing on Wednesday, April 17.
Groups can apply for up to £1,500 per year.
Cllr Andrew Atkinson, Lead Member for Youth Services and Anti-Poverty, with responsibility for Leisure, said: “There are a lot of good sports and athletics groups out there which do excellent work in their community.
“The Community Chest is there to help those clubs get the extra resources they need. Those involved should make sure they don’t miss out.”
Wrexham Library Service has an online resource which takes you through making a claim for universal credit and also takes you through the jobs match portal.
It can also teach you basic computer skills such as using a mouse. The site has some detail about preparing for an interview, CV writing tips and more.
Each section is broken down into modules and you can check to see which modules you have completed. This invaluable resource is available from the library’s webpages (follow the online services link) and can be accessed at home or in the library, but you need a valid library card to use it.
Not a library member? You can join online, for free, here.
Since the building re-opened as Tŷ Pawb in the April of 2018, it’s played host to hundreds of events – from film screenings and live music to talks and conferences.
But it’s also hosted scores of community groups and organisations, giving them a space to chat or meet officially – or, when needed, to hold rehearsals, put on performances or host sales.
With Tŷ Pawb’s birthday coming up, we caught up with some of the community groups who’ve used the building during the last 12 months to see what their experiences had been and what they thought of the new facility.
And the first thought that struck many of those involved was just how good a community venue it is.
Here’s what some of the people involved in some of the user groups had to say.
“The whole aura is great for getting kids into the arts”
Andy Taylor-Edwards, creative director of The Learning Collective, found he was impressed with Tŷ Pawb when the group held two sell-out performances of Alice in Wonderland at the venue in September.
Andy said: “We did Alice in Wonderland at Tŷ Pawb in September, and we immediately booked it for our workshops.
“There are a few reasons why we booked it – it’s a brilliant venue and I wanted to support that, it’s just so amazing for Wrexham to have it.
“But it was a good move for us as a group as well. There’s a lot of people talking about Tŷ Pawb and it’s a very professional setting, and our membership has doubled as a result. And there’s obviously quite a few eateries where parents can wait for their kids.
“The people there are brilliant – everyone I’ve come into contact with there has been brilliant.”
The group holds weekly workshop sessions for junior and senior groups, split between primary school-age children and 11 to 16 year olds.
Andy said: “We have about 15 members in the juniors, and about 22 in the 11 to 16s, so about 40 kids altogether.
“And the kids love Tŷ Pawb – it’s not just a theatre space. The whole aura is great for getting kids into the arts.”
He added: “We have a 95 per cent attendance rating. Some of that will come from what we offer in workshops, but the venue is part of that as well.
“And the kids know there’s a status that comes with rehearsing in a professional venue.”
“Tŷ Pawb is everybody’s house – we’re everybody’s choir.”
The One World Wrexham Community Choir has been part of Tŷ Pawb since it opened.
The choir began rehearsals at Tŷ Pawb in the April of 2018, having previously met at venues such as UnDegUn and the Wrexham Lager Club.
Wendy Paintsil, co-founder and director of the community choir – which is now in its seventh year of performing – said Tŷ Pawb not only had the right mix of amenities for members, but also fits in well with the choir’s ethos as “everybody’s choir”.
She said: “We want to engage widely. We’re a community choir, and we’re open to everybody of all levels of experience, age, shape, size – everyone. We want to be open to anyone who likes to sing, but maybe hasn’t had the confidence in the past.
“With the opening of Tŷ Pawb, we felt it was a place we would like to be. Especially with the name – ‘Tŷ Pawb’ is ‘everybody’s house’, and we consider ourselves as ‘Côr Pawb’ or ‘everybody’s choir’.
Earlier this year, the community choir made use of their international links to host a performance by Northern Harmony, a US-based international choir, to Tŷ Pawb.
“We brought Northern Harmony to Tŷ Pawb, and that brought in a wider than usual audience of people from Shropshire, Cheshire and further afield in North Wales.”
Wendy added: “The ethos fits in with what we’re about – it’s welcoming and open.
“Where we meet is very informal, and that makes it easier for people. We’re very much a choir where you can turn up and join. People feel very relaxed and we can help them with any nerves they might have.
“The staff have been brilliant – they made us feel really welcome and supported.
“And the vendors have been excellent as well. Curry on the Go stay open for us during rehearsals in the evening, and they’ve struck up a brilliant rapport and reputation with our members.”
“We’re also glad to be part of Wrexham’s community arts hub. As a choir, many of our members participate in the arts locally.
“And when rehearsing, members can be drawn to the exhibitions and other events – and when we have up to 100 members here, those members will see those spaces and come back for other events. We know members come back for the live music performances and open mic nights.”
“I thought it would be ideal – and it was!”
Colin Trueman, of VOD Records, Mold, is used to selling records – but he wasn’t expecting to set one.
In November last year, Colin joined with the team at Tŷ Pawb to organise a record festival – his first in Wrexham in five years.
The event ended up attracting more than 700 people – one of the highest-attended events at Tŷ Pawb during its first year.
Colin said: “It had been quite some time since we last held a record fair in Wrexham, and Tŷ Pawb’s a great space.
“I thought it would be ideal – and it was! You never know what it’ll be like with a first-time venue, and it was better than I thought it would be.
“We had in excess of 700 people in – maybe even more than that. It was busy all the time, and that went on until the end of the day.
He added: “I’d heard a lot about Tŷ Pawb and wanted to support it as well, and people couldn’t believe it was on their doorstep.
“It’s a great location for it – there’s quite a bit of space and there was more space to put in extra stalls.”
Colin added that the fair really fit into the identity of Tŷ Pawb, noting “Record fairs are all about community.”
The record fair will return to Tŷ Pawb this year, with a summer event on May 11 and a winter event on November 23.
One year ago, Tŷ Pawb opened its doors to the public for the first time, with a huge celebration event that attracted thousands of people.
Looking back, it was a massive day for Wrexham.
For months during the run-up, the project dominated local headlines and social media – prompting Marmite style feelings. Some loved the idea and thought it would be great for the town. Some didn’t.
So when it finally opened on April 2, 2018, it was time to stop talking and start doing…it was time for Tŷ Pawb to start delivering what we hoped it could.
So how’s it gone?
A new kind of place?
The venue brought market-stalls, community activities and arts under one roof, which was a new concept for Wrexham. In fact it was a new thing for the UK.
In this article, we’ll take a look the markets bit…as well as events and footfall figures.
What do market traders think?
We chatted with some of the traders at Tŷ Pawb, and they seem pretty happy. Take a look at the video.
A lot benefit from the huge range of events at the venue – staying open to take advantage of the extra footfall.
As well as the traders who’ve taken up a stall, there’s been 30 enquiries from other potential stallholders in the first year. So there’s plenty of interest.
Tŷ Pawb’s done a lot of work to make it easy for people to set-up a stall and start trading from the site – providing opportunities for local businesses and entrepreneurs.
For example, there are nifty ‘pop ups’ for people keen to test the water before taking on a lease.
And the staff can now offer a really quick way for traders to get set-up without having to wait for the admin on the lease to be sorted.
The food court has also proved incredibly popular.
Pop in at lunchtime, and you’ll see how many people enjoy the excellent range on offer – popping in for lunch with friends and work colleagues.
Cllr Hugh Jones, Lead Member for Communities, Partnerships, Public Protection and Community Safety, says: “Twelve months on, Tŷ Pawb is going from strength to strength – and everyone involved with the project should be proud of that.
“Many of the traders have been with us since day one, and we’re really pleased they’ve stayed with us.
“Others have joined throughout the year, which shows confidence in the venue, and we wish them even more success as we enter year two.”
How popular are the events?
When you’re an events venue, you’ve got to agree with Dolly…working 9-5 is no way to make a living.
The events at Tŷ Pawb have seen it shift from a ‘9-5 Monday to Saturday’ set-up, to an ‘open when required’ approach.
So the venue regularly opens well into the evening for the local groups that use it – as well as popular weekend events like the comedy and open mic nights.
Many events sell out and the free events are really well attended.
Take the free Thursday lunchtime concerts for example. Most weeks you’ll struggle to find a seat, with standing room only.
Cllr Jones says: “The events programme has taken everyone by surprise.
“Tŷ Pawb is delivering a huge variety of events that appeal to people and communities with all sorts of different interests and needs, and it’s brilliant that the visitor numbers have steadily increased over the months.”
How many feet through the door?
Footfall was recently confirmed to be in excess of the original business plan predictions, and the installation of footfall counters will see more accurate figures in the future.
They already show the recent Greyson Perry exhibition has pulled-in over 4,000 visitors, with over 40,500 visitors going into Tŷ Pawb itself.
(The counters don’t count people going in and out of the car parks – only visitors to the venue – so they provide a pretty accurate picture).
Strength to strength
Cllr Jones says: “Ty Pawb is definitely finding its place and playing an increasingly important part in the life of Wrexham.
“And a lot of that is down to the support it’s getting from the people of Wrexham.
“The people who shop here, buy their food here, come to the events and activities, enjoy the art, perform and basically breathe life into this building. They’re the people who are making this work.
“Wrexham can – and should – be really proud of what its achieved. Now let’s see what we can do during the second year.”
In our next article we’ll take a look at the ‘community’ aspect of Tŷ Pawb, and meet some of the local groups using the facilities.
Derek Jones, Chairman of the Tŷ Pawb Advisory Board, said: “During its first year, Tŷ Pawb has provided an excellent venue for a broad range of different events such as live music and gigs, exhibitions, workshops, community days, film screenings and a number of other events linked to the arts, markets and communities in Wrexham.
“As well as providing a gallery space which has hosted artwork produced by a number of famous artists, Tŷ Pawb has also provided a venue to a number of traders who might not otherwise have come to Wrexham.
“The popularity of events such as the first Dydd Llun Pawb and the more recent St David’s Day celebrations, demonstrate that Tŷ Pawb has earned a reputation as a popular community venue, and I’m sure that will only grow in the coming years.
“There are still things to be learnt, progress to be made and still corners to turn, but the team at Tŷ Pawb has risen to the challenges, and the work they’ve put in is second to none. I’m confident that with their help, and the backing of the community of Wrexham, Tŷ Pawb will go from strength to strength and offer the whole community a venue they can be confident in and proud of.”
And to kick-off the second year of Tŷ Pawb, there’s a celebration event planned. Read more about it on this blog.
Introducing face-ade – the major new public artwork for Tŷ Pawb developed by Kevin Hunt as part of our annual Wal Pawb (“Everybody’s Wall”) commission.
Alongside artwork for Wal Pawb’s two revolving billboards, Kevin has devised a multifaceted project for Tŷ Pawb as part of the commission.
Each billboard plays host to complex interconnected patterns.
Kevin’s playful approach to linguistics informs the visual design of the project.
Kevin’s project also includes Tŷ Pawb’s new rooftop garden, which will soon be home to a range of edible plants.
The garden is being developed and maintained by Clwb Garddio, a community group of volunteer gardeners who meet every other Friday.
Ingredients grown in the garden will be used to make a fizzy drink which will be served in a limited edition compostable paper cup that visually compliments the billboards design.
A DIY, community-led production line encourages greener ways of thinking about what we drink and where such products come from, while generating income to be pumped back into maintaining the rooftop garden.
Green-fingered gardeners, hobby horticulturists and anybody interested in joining Clwb Garddio are encouraged to contact Heather Wilson (Heather.Wilson@wrexham.gov.uk), Tŷ Pawb’s Volunteer Coordinator for further details of how to get involved.
A link between the gallery and markets
Cllr Hugh Jones, lead member for Communities, Partnerships, Public Protection and Community Safety said: “Wal Pawb is an important artistic feature within Tŷ Pawb, emphasising the intersection between the gallery and the market hall.
“It is fantastic news that Kevin Hunt, a Wrexham graduate, has been selected for the next iteration of this commission. Kevin is working with Tŷ Pawb’s team and local residents in innovative way, ensuring the Wal Pawb artwork infiltrates the market hall.”
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