Books / Bristol Ageing Better
Here We Grow book and podcast launched
Publication-podcast, Here We Grow, launches this week in libraries across the city, starting a series of events looking at and celebrating what it is like to grow older in Bristol.
Funded by Bristol Ageing Better, Here We Grow has been led by publisher and multimedia artist, Lily Green, who invited Bristol residents over the age of 50 to submit stories, poems, illustrations and artwork on the theme of growing older for publication.
Rosie Kelly, Communications Officer, Bristol Ageing Better Adam Rees, Director, Bristol Ageing Better, Lawrence Hoo, Poet and Bunny Marrett, Reggae Artist select submissions for the book and podcast
The result is a custom-made book featuring selected work from across the city. The book will be available free of charge to those who attend the Here We Grow events.
is needed now More than ever
As well as the book, there is a podcast featuring interviews with those involved in community projects and centres which work directly with older people.
“I decided to have open submissions,” Lily says, “well aware that they were more likely to come from the more affluent areas of the city. So, I wanted to explore further, how do we get all of the voices of Bristol? How do we get the whole voice of the city?”
“The answer was to go to people, to where they work. It was really important for me to get on my bike and cycle across Bristol, getting to know people in a variety of different areas and hear their stories, get to a point where they were familiar with me, so we could interview them.”
Pervasive Media Studio residents and members of Bristol and Avon Chinese Women’s Group try their hand at putting together the Here We Grow book.
Lily visited community projects and organisations with Pat Gregory, a member of Bristol Ageing Better’s steering group, and together they forged connections and collected interviews and stories.
“A lot of people assumed I was some researcher popping in never to be seen again.” Lily adds. “The repeated visits across the city were so necessary. I would say they were the foundation for the success of the project, really putting in that time and building those relationships.”
Pat Gregory says, “The whole experience has been tremendous fun, with some laughs along the way. It has also opened my eyes to this city. There are pockets that exist that really seem quite cut-off, even if they’re fairly central.
She adds, “I hadn’t realised how much of Bristol existed in smaller communities. There are lots of little villages connected together, and it was lovely to see connections made through the project. For me, I’ve continued to go to the St Paul’s Learning Centre, and I’m all set to do t-shirt printing workshops at the St Pauls Carnival!”
Here We Grow launches at Bristol Central Library on Wednesday May 23 at 6pm. Podcast interviews will be broadcast on The Babbers Show on 98FM or ujimaradio.com from May 28. For more information on the project and the events, visit bristolageingbetter.org.uk/news/coming-soon-the-%E2%80%98here-we-grow%E2%80%99-launch-events/
Read more: Bristol poetry publisher issues call for submissions
Photos: Emma Hughes
Header Image: Jo Hounsome
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