Bringing the Stour to Life
Join us on the banks of the River Stour to contribute to a community-led, co-created project seeking to deepen relationships with the river.
Our Summer Gathering, Bringing the Stour to Life, is an invitation to contribute to a community-led project of that name, which emerged through Dudley People’s School for Climate Justice conversations in 2024.
🗓️ Wed 16 July
🕕 6pm-8pm
📍 Location by the River Stour tbc
The River Stour meanders for 30 miles between St Kenelm’s Church near Romsley, through populated towns and neighbourhoods (Halesowen, Cradley, Lye, Stourbridge and Wollaston) then west and south through farmland and Kidderminster, finally feeding into the River Severn at Stourport-on-Severn. The vision of the project is to catalyse a River Stour Community; local people who will collaborate to sensitively introduce, improve, enjoy, protect and preserve the river. There is already a growing group of enthusiastic river guardians who have been sharing many and varied knowledges through meet-ups to survey, photograph and learn about mile long stretches of the river.
Our Summer Gathering will bring together people already involved in the project with local creatives and anyone who is curious and would like to spend an evening with the river.
What to expect
A welcome and introduction to the Bringing the Stour to Life project from the initial creator, Colin Maltby.
An invitation to embark on a journey of connection, perhaps using one of the five pathways to nature connection. Or maybe simply spending time with the river in your own way.
You might alternatively like to contribute to the river survey, Colin will explain how.
An opportunity to get involved with Workshop 24’s Getting Into Hot Water project, an art based inquiry into water and climate change locally.
Time to talk, listen, wander, smell, create, connect, share stories and make memories.
You will be offered a copy of The Nature Connection Handbook to keep, and a copy of our featured Share Book for this Gathering.
You’re invited to contribute to the Summer Gathering
Do you already have a relationship with or connection to the River Stour that you’d like to share at the Gathering in some way?
Have you or might you write a poem inspired by the river?
Have you already our would you like create some artwork to show people?
Would you like to undertake an act of care during the Gathering, such as collecting litter?
If so, let us know when you sign up and we’ll get in touch from early July.
Stories of Place
Join curious people connecting with stories and artefacts from Dudley's past, present and future to co-create flourishing futures.
Stories of Place
Join curious people connecting with stories and artefacts from Dudley's past, present and future to co-create flourishing futures.
Stories of Place
Join curious people connecting with stories and artefacts from Dudley's past, present and future to co-create flourishing futures.
Stories of Place
Join curious people connecting with stories and artefacts from Dudley's past, present and future to co-create flourishing futures.
Stories of Place
Join curious people connecting with stories and artefacts from Dudley's past, present and future to co-create flourishing futures.
Stories of Place
Join curious people connecting with stories and artefacts from Dudley's past, present and future to co-create flourishing futures.
Stories of Place
Join curious people connecting with stories and artefacts from Dudley's past, present and future to co-create flourishing futures.
Spring Gathering
Explore the interplay of creativity in Dudley and weave connections to invite others to resist, rethink, reconnect and revitalise this place
Over the last few months CoLab Dudley has been supporting many and varied community-led collaborations, experiments and learning enquiries. We invite you to join us to explore our new exhibition and the fertile edges between different kinds of work which seeks to develop the confidence and capabilities of local people to shape cultures of care, cultures of learning and cultures of creativity.
Throughout the evening there will be a little poetry, short film screeenings and lightning talks. There will be ample time for exchanges between people who have led and participated in creative actions and those bringing fresh perspectives, increasing the potential for new possibilities to emerge. (Agenda to follow.)
All welcome. Children must bring a grown up.
Free. Hot and cold drinks and light snacks provided.
If you prefer a quieter experience, there will be a Quiet Time Early Opening of the Fertile Edges exhibition between 4.30pm and 5.30pm. This sensory-friendly, relaxed time for families and individuals who would benefit from a quieter environment offers an opportunity to explore the exhibition without the overwhelm of a large gathering. There is a quiet room for those needing to take a break, and we have children's ear defenders and sensory objects available. This a new experiment for us and we'd welcome feedback.
Bringing the River Stour to Life. Discover and add to the ideas being generated and practical actions being taken by local people with many and varied knowledges and interests who have come together to care for the River Stour.
Explore a multi media exhibition created by over 60 local people bringing together memories, observations and hopes for the future of Dudley through Urban Rooms.
Meet the Mythical Beasts conjured up by people working in our local council and NHS who have been exploring many ways to learn and evaluate in their work with local people.
Create a Pocket of Hope filled with your hopes for a more sustainable world. to contribute to an exhibition in winter 2025. Pockets will be curated as an installation at the end of 2025 with pocket makers gathering to explore and celebrate our many ways of capturing hope for future generations.
Plant seeds of intention and grow pollinating flowers to support biodiversity in your spaces and edges.
Visit our library of Share Books developed in collaboration with CIVIC SQUARE’s Beyond Books. Our featured author for this gathering is Robin Wall Kimmerer, whose work and writings illuminate the fertile edges between indigenous wisdom, scientific knowledge and the teachings of plants. Copies of her essay collection, Braiding Sweetgrass will be available to take away as Share Books.
Film screening: Takayna
Through the power of personal stories, be taken on a journey to the vast and threatened landscapes of Australia’s largest temperate rainforest in northwest Lutruwita / Tasmania. This area, known as Takayna / Tarkine, is one of the last wild places on Earth. These people are fighting for its protection, and you can as well.
Co-working @ CoLab Dudley
Monthly co-working in our creative space on Dudley High Street
Stories of Place
Join curious people connecting with stories and artefacts from Dudley's past, present and future to co-create flourishing futures.
Urban Rooms Dudley: Collective Photography of Hope
Discover Dudley through the lens of your camera during these Saturday sessions with local filmmaker Sohelia Javaheri.
Co-working @ CoLab Dudley
Monthly co-working in our creative space on Dudley High Street
Urban Rooms Dudley: Playtime in Dudley
Discover Dudley’s rich history and inspiring landscapes through the joy of play and the power of the bicycle.
Urban Rooms Dudley - Boiler Babs
The Boiler Babs will be bringing bold and playful creativity to Dudley High Street. Through a series of Roving Residencies, they’ll transform public spaces with unexpected, engaging interventions that spark curiosity and invite participation.
Stories of Place
Join curious people connecting with stories and artefacts from Dudley's past, present and future to co-create flourishing futures.
Capturing Heritage Through Plants
An invitation to connect with cultural roots, improve your photography skills and contribute to a collective project.
Urban Rooms Dudley - Time to Make
Join the Time to Make team for free, drop-in sessions that are designed for anyone eager to learn new skills, socialise, or work on creative projects.
Urban Rooms Dudley: Memories of Nature
Reconnect with nature and heritage in these creative workshops led by Hannah Picken of Wild Earth Movement.
Urban Rooms Dudley: Collective Photography of Hope
Discover Dudley through the lens of your camera during these Saturday sessions with local filmmaker Sohelia Javaheri.
Urban Rooms Dudley: Playtime in Dudley
Discover Dudley’s rich history and inspiring landscapes through the joy of play and the power of the bicycle.
Urban Rooms Dudley - Mapping Relief
Join artist and educator Laura Onions for a reflective workshop series delving into Dudley’s past and present climate activism.
Urban Rooms Dudley: Memories of Dudley
The Textile Workshop Series, held on Thursday’s at CoLab Dudley, takes you on a tactile journey through Dudley’s streets and landmarks.
Urban Rooms Dudley: Memories of Dudley
The Textile Workshop Series, held on Thursday’s at CoLab Dudley, takes you on a tactile journey through Dudley’s streets and landmarks.
Who gets to imagine and create the futures of our town?
Who gets to imagine and create the futures of our town? What happens when communities are encouraged to nurture the conditions to imagine new and future possibilities?
Urban Rooms Dudley: Collective Photography of Hope
Discover Dudley through the lens of your camera during these Saturday sessions with local filmmaker Sohelia Javaheri.
Urban Rooms Dudley - Mapping Relief
Join artist and educator Laura Onions for a reflective workshop series delving into Dudley’s past and present climate activism.
Urban Rooms Dudley: Memories of Dudley
The Textile Workshop Series, held on Thursday’s at CoLab Dudley, takes you on a tactile journey through Dudley’s streets and landmarks.
Film screening: The Nettle Dress
"This is a story about the deep value of creativity and imagination, and a slow, mindful craft that is more in tune with the natural world." Dylan Howitt, Director
Air We Share: creative workshop
Join this session with artist, maker and designer Claire Witcomb to create a visually engaging artwork underpinned by data about changes in air temperature and air quality in Dudley. During the session you can paint and write on prepared wooden stripes and contribute to a collective piece of art.
Urban Rooms Dudley - Mapping Relief
Join artist and educator Laura Onions for a reflective workshop series delving into Dudley’s past and present climate activism.
Urban Rooms Dudley: We Are Makers
We Are Makers will pop-up on Dudley High Street with yarn bombed trolleys, an arm chair and crochet stools, creating an inviting, warm and friendly environment.
Urban Rooms Dudley: Playtime in Dudley
Discover Dudley’s rich history and inspiring landscapes through the joy of play and the power of the bicycle. The Bicycle Adventure Club invites you to explore how art, community and cycling can bring people closer to the geography and history of our local area.
Urban Rooms Dudley - Time to Make
Join the Time to Make team for free, drop-in sessions that are designed for anyone eager to learn new skills, socialise, or work on creative projects.