Absolutely Cultured has been working with local partners and residents in The Shires to make positive changes to their neighbourhood. This community engagement project is part of a series that have been taking place since 2018 that use creative approaches to respond to what local people told us matter to them most.

Keep an eye out for events, activities, dates and times on our Gipsyville Friends Facebook group.

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Gipsyville Christmas Celebration 2023

On 24 November 2023, for our third annual Christmas Event in Gipsyville, we gathered around the tree at Gipsyville Library before heading on a festive lantern parade.

The event finished with a communal sing-song at the tree led by a choir and hot chocolates all-round! Lanterns were made by residents in workshops led by Rosie Ireson. Download the schedule here.

Do You Know Who I Am? – Project and Exhibition

Since July 2023, Alison Ollerhead and a team of Art Avengers from Arting have invited Gipsyville locals to examine their identity and what makes them who they are through this engaging artistic project. The workshops run during our usual creative workshops at Gipsyville Library, every Saturday from 10am-12pm.

We’ll be hosting an exhibition of the work from 25 November to 9 December at the library during opening hours, after which the workshops will continue into 2024.

The Gipsyville Voice

In November 2023, we worked with the residents and members of our coffee and chat sessions to create a newsletter – The Gipsyville Voice. It contains stories and anecdotes about the history and heritage of Gipsyville, straight from the people who live there. Alongside these stories, we relived our favourite coffee and chat sessions, including trips and visits, and shared helpful links to services and events happening in the area. Read the digital version here.

This One’s For Us

On Saturday 3 June, Absolutely Cultured, Middle Child and the residents of Gipsyville put on a performance at the bottom of Essex Street based on our creative workshop sessions at Gipsyville Library. This One’s For Us centered around the heritage and history of the area, with a focus on relighting the community spirit. Commissioned by us and supported by The National Lottery Heritage Fund.

Gipsyville Library events

Absolutely Cultured hosts drop-in coffee and chat sessions at Gipsyville Library every Wednesday 10am-12pm, supported by HEY! Volunteering. We also put on creative workshops every Saturday from 10am-12pm.

HU4 Gallery

In June 2022, the residents from Creative Workshops worked with artist Dom Heffer to imagine what the local area might look like in the year 2050 and displayed these works on lamp posts around the area, creating the HU4 Gallery exhibition.

Imagination Alley

Imagination Alley is a mural spanning 120 metres and is part of a social action project which will also involve improvements to pocket spaces that are frequently fly-tipped. 

The mural design was created by Andy Pea, who had help from volunteers and residents of all ages, coming together to contribute on various open paint days. The hope is that this colourful backdrop will now provide inspiration for the younger generation and encourage them to use their imagination for play.