[(l-r): Ruby Sant, Inclusive Communities Development Officer at Bath Spa University; Wera Hobhouse MP; Tamara Cincik, Fashion Roundtable and consultant to Creative Twerton.]
Bath Liberal Democrat MP Wera Hobhouse has paid a visit to “Creative Twerton”, a Bath and North East Somerset Council (B&NES) regeneration project which breathed new life into empty shop units on Twerton High Street.
The idea is to offer free, drop-in creative activities led by professional artists, with freshly prepared lunch and refreshments on offer for participants too.
Funded by the West of England Combined Authority (WECA) and Arts Council England, the project collaborated with Bath Spa University and B&NES to reach over 1000 adults and young people from Twerton in its first 12 months.
The units not only provide free creative and exhibition space, where local people can take part in free art activities from tapestry making, ceramics, sewing, welding and numerous others, but also act as a “warm bank” over the winter offering after-school provision, free tea, coffee and food.
During her visit Wera met Ruby Sant, Inclusive Communities Development Officer at Bath Spa University, who said: “Creative Twerton is a great example of community-led action, with the partnership between Little Lost Robot arts CIC, Bath Spa and B&NES supporting local socially-engaged artists to grow their careers, and support access for all to high quality arts and culture. Artists can apply to join the space by clicking on the Re-Emerge project on Little Lost Robots website.”
Sue Rigby, Vice-Chancellor of Bath Spa University added: “Creative Twerton is the start of an ambition to extend creativity and culture to everyone in Bath and North East Somerset. The support of our MP means the world to us.”
Wera Hobhouse MP responded:
“I was blown away by what I saw at the Creative Twerton project today. This warm, welcoming, creative and incredibly vibrant community space was a real joy to visit. The strong cohesive value and deep sense of wellbeing created by such spaces are well-known, and Creative Twerton is a shining example of both.”
