Wanted: Your memories from past and hopes for future

Open Season is a four-week series of events funded by Torbay’s Cultural Development Fund, which will focus on central Paignton and the Torbay Picture House in particular.

Steve Sowden, who is Paignton born and bred, will work in collaboration with Devon composer Emma Welton and the community over the coming weeks to get a truly local perspective on how Paignton is viewed by its residents.

They want to collect and collate memories from all of us, young and old, plus our visions and dreams for how we see a future Paignton developing. With the new development money about to be used to revitalise our town centre there couldn’t be a more appropriate time to explore these perspectives. Steve and Emma want to ensure that their production has an authentic voice from and for the people of Paignton.

They would like to hear from anyone and everyone to gather stories and anecdotes that will feed into the performance. It could be your words or memories that spark a line in a song or an idea you have that becomes part of a piece of poetry or prose.

Maybe you would like to lend your voice to the project as a singer, or read out some lines of verse? Maybe you have an interesting snippet of history – large or small? To share it, please get in touch with Steve and Emma by emailing: paigntonlights@gmail.com or call Steve on 07715 546560.

There will be rehearsals for the show in Paignton Library on October 12, 19 and 20; times have yet to be confirmed so, please contact Steve nearer the time. The performances will take place in front of Paignton Picture House on the evenings of October 20 and 21 at 7.30pm and at 7pm on October 22.

Also, as part of Open Season over the weekend of September 23 and 24, Artizan Collective has organised The Great Paignton Paint Out. On Day one, there will be 10 professional artists out and about in Paignton creating live works. Watch them work and find out about the buildings that have caught their attention.

On Day two, it is your turn to come along to Paignton seafront and have a go. Bring your own art supplies or pick up some freebies on the day and ‘Paint Paignton’ with us. You can get tips and advice and watch live demos on the day, but most of all we want you to join in the fun whether it is a first time for you or you are an experienced artist. To find out more about the full schedule of events visit www.artizangallery.co.uk/paigntonpaintout

Christine can be contacted via email: christinedurrant@torbaycdt.org.uk or via phone 07469660887