With its very varied landscape this site allows for the discreet staging of outdoor theatre productions, cinema and/or literary readings without disturbing the peace and tranquillity of nearby areas of the site. There are areas of the landscape that form an ideal natural amphitheatre which would allow casual seating on blankets with picnics etc. These productions would be occasional, temporary and seasonally focused. The staging and any additional structures would be easily assembled and taken down.
Local clubs will be invited to use the café/restaurant premises for Bridge Circles, Chess and other similar pursuits. We can also see the opportunity for the demonstration of local crafts and indoor and outdoor language classes.
Light shows celebrating the different cultures in our town, such as Christmas, Diwali and Eid, are also a possibility are also a possibility together with bespoke art installations running through the site perhaps following the various trails we envisage. We could also see the creation of an annual picnic or festival of food.
“I have Epilepsy and Fibromyalgia which has left me wheelchair dependent. I am incredibly restricted in where I can go as the world is still designed mostly for able-bodied people. Wheelchair-accessibility is not as widely in place as it should be, this leaves me unable to simply enjoy a walk in nature or to easily visit the theatre.
I can’t go very far away from home because in the case I have a seizure I need to be able to get home as quickly and privately as possible, so I don’t feel comfortable going much further than my immediate community area of Caversham Park Village and Emmer Green, and within that area there isn’t much to do when you have the difficulties I have, so I don’t go anywhere or do anything. To have a community space like the one KEG have proposed would breathe life back into me again, I would be able to enjoy a walk (wheel) with family in a beautiful example of nature and engage in activities with family and friends again.
The suggestion of an open air theatre within my immediate local area is especially exciting, it would be utterly transformative for me to have a disability- inclusive space like that, to be able to leave my four walls and enjoy art and culture again, something I have been unable to do for years. And to be able to have all of this whilst still within safe distance of my home should I have a seizure would be amazing. I am sure there are so many others in our community that would get the same joy out of it too!”
Pre-event surveys of our communities would allow delivery of events shaped by the community for the community, including local stakeholders which could include organisations such as the Museum of English Rural Life (MERL).
The possibilities are virtually endless but certainly events such as a Tree Week, Wildflower Meadow Day, Orchard Day and Planting Days instantly spring to mind.
