I’ve just compiled the feedback from the two Stroll, Chat, Scribble events I ran for this year’s Brighter Living Fair in Wandsworth, and I’m feeling a rather chuffed. It’s very gratifying to realise that what I set out to deliver pretty much hit the mark.
Each session began with a stroll around nearby streets for about an hour. On the first walk we turned off busy Queenstown Road into the quiet side streets of the Park Town estate. Hidden away here is a pocket park, Montefiore Play Space, built on a former bomb site.
The following Monday our circular route took us along Prince of Wales Drive, across Queens Circus to the new Prince of Wales Drive housing development (couldn’t they have thought of a more distinctive name?). These apartments are built on the former gas holder site and adjacent to the railway viaduct taking trains into and out of Victoria station. Here, the artist David Appleyard has installed a number of playful artworks that hark back to the area’s aeronautical history and specifically the large gas-filled balloons manufactured by the Short Brothers in two of the viaduct’s arches. Then we returned via the autumnal glory of Battersea Park to Cromwell House Community Hub.
I was delighted with how engaged participants were during the workshop that followed each walk. We had some really good conversations about what poetry is and what it can do, and sensitive discussion of the sample poems I’d brought.
And then it was time to put pen to paper and start scribbling. There was a palpable feeling of concentration and focussed energy in the room.
After 15 minutes I called time and invited anyone who felt comfortable to do so to share what they’d written. As so often in workshops, I was struck by the range and quality of participants’ work, produced in such a short time. Yes, there is always scope for polishing, editing, digging deeper; but there’s no doubting that something new has been created and added to the world.
On the feedback form I asked What did you most enjoy about the activity? One participant responded: “The way the activity stimulated creativity and the remarkable creativity it stimulated & discovering new things on our doorsteps.” That’s why I’m feeling chuffed.
My thanks to Cromwell House Community Hub for providing a space for the workshop, to Vibes x Living Truth for refreshments, Wandsworth Council for funding the events, and to everyone who came and participated so fully. Photo of Battersea Park by Stephanie Flores.
Hilaire 
it sounds like a wonderful way to spend some time. What a really lovely and interesting idea. Well done Hilaire.
Thank you Laurel!