Town Quay Park events 2011
Date: Wedenesday 21st December More than 40 enthusiatsic carol singers gathered in the park to celebrate Christmas with mince pies, mulled wine and some festive favourites. Ably accompanied by our resident musicians, the rousing choruses lent a cheerful air to a mid-winter evening and was the perfect way to herald the holiday season.
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Date: Sat 24 Sept, 11-11.45 am Over a dozen eager volunteers of all ages and abilities took part in our second session of Tai Chi in the park, under the skilfull guidance of Wu Tan instructor Bai Li. In a relaxing but challenging session, local residents and visitors took advantage of the mild weather to enjoy a stimulating set of exercises. Afterwards, committee members and Tai Chi survivors were joined by other volunteers to tidy the beds in the park and to plant spring bulbs ready for a colourful display next year.
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Date: Sunday 30th July 2011- re-arranged from 12th June The weather was much kinder for the re-arranged picnic, and around 50 local residents, families, friends and passers-by came to Town Quay Park to enjoy the sunshine and festivities. The new date also enabled us to join in with the national Love Parks Week event. Music was once again provided by the ever-popular Old Town Jazz Band, and we were delighted to have the advantage of the Scooby-Doo icecream van dispensing cooling refreshments - this was the feature most requested at our recent AGM feedback session! Entertainment for the day included a wine raffle (French wine of course!) and a fiendishly difficult cheese quiz for a spectacular prize of a cheeseboard and knife! While families and friends got on with catching up and consuming their picnics, the sporting enthusiasts indulged in a gentle but competitive game of boules. This proved so popular that other informal boules sessions in the park are already being planned - please contact the committee if you would like to take part and we can let you know when and where the next Grand Tournament will take place. The day raised over £70.00 towards FTQP funds and attracted several new members, but more importantly was another step to showing the Council how much we want and need to keep the Park as an open space that we can all enjoy.
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Date: Saturday 23rd July 2011 Tai Chi is a very gentle Chinese martial art. It is a slow sequence of movements, all in a standing position, and is suitable for people of all ages from the young to seniors. There are many health benefits for those who practice regularly, especially as people get older. Mr They and Bai Li from the Wu Tan Martial Arts School on St Mary's Road led a session for an enthsiastic group of over 20 locals of various abilities; everyone enjoyed the experience, although some found it to be a little more of a work-out than they were perhaps expecting! 8-10 people stayed on after the Tai Chi session to help with tidying the borders. We selected 3 beds to work on and made a big difference after pulling weeds, cutting back brambles & digging over. Many thanks to all who helped. We hope to be organising further Tai Chi sessions in the park in the future - please contact the committee if you are interested in taking part, or watch the website for announcements of dates for the next session.
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Date: Monday 16th May 2011 It was heartening to see a good turnout for this year's AGM, and to hear the level of participation, suggestions and comments from all the members present. Following introductions and apologies, the minutes of the inaugural meeting in 2010 were accepted by all present. We then heard reports from Chair Ros Cassy on the latest position with the plans for development on the park site and the current status of the Town Green application. Ros then gave a brief summary of the committee's activities over the last year. > Download a copy of the summary of FTQP activity in 2010/2011 (pdf) Richard Gray then gave a brief rundown of the last year's events, and Irene MacWilliam summarised the changes and improvements in the park, before inviting comments and suggestion for events in the coming year. Retiring Treasurer Dorothy Alderson gave a brief rundown of the group's financial situation, then Ros led a discussion about developments and plans around the community, including the council's plans for the Tudor House Museum, the Wool House, and God's House Tower as well as longer term development plans for the waterfront. It was generally agreed that with all the potential changes, the retention of Town Quay Park as a green oasis in the heart of the Old Town was even more critical. Turning to committee business, the resignation of committee members Doroty Alderson, Kay Labon and Tina Lucas was accepted with regret and with thanks for all their efforts. After a vote, John Pheasant was elected as the new Treasurer, and new committee members Antonella Ianni and Jo Clough were welcomed. We still have a vacancy for one additional committee member - volunteers welcome! Our guest speaker Cheryl Butler from the University of Winchester then gave a fascinating insight into the life in Southampton Old Town in the Tudor Period, which both fascinated and captivated the members present. Cheryl also gave a brief outline of the plans for the Tudor Revels series of events in the city in 2011 and 2012. We are most grateful to Cheryl for her time and for providing such an interesting input. Ros then led a discussion on the options for placing sign at the entrance to the park, to increase its prominence and raise awareness among locals and visitors, and the possibility of incorporating a noticeboard for disseminating community information. Anna from the Mount Plesant Workshop, who have been involved in the production of signage on number of prominent projects around the city, showed examples of a number of options, and it was generally agreed that a metal sign would be the preferred option. A sub-committee will pursure ideas for design and funding options. Finally, Irene led a brainstorming discussion on ideas for new activities for the group, and ideas for things to do in the park. A shortlist of ideas was produced on flipcharts, and all members invited to vote on their favourites as the meeting ended and more informal discussions took place. The results will be collated and will help to shape the planning for future events. Thanks to all who participated so enthusiastically. Don't forget, if you haven't yet renewed your annual membership, please contact the committee!
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Date: Sunday 1st May 2011 Friends, neighbours and visitors celebrated together when, with the help of King John's Morris and the generous loan of a maypole from St John's school, FTQP welcomed in the spring with our May Day revels. The weather was kind, and as usual with our 'picnics in the park' everyone brought their own food and drink to eat and share. King John's Morris Men entertained us with a selection of traditional dances from different parts of the country, and were warmly received by the appreciative crowd. After the professionals, it was the turn of the amateurs to have a go at traditional maypole dancing. Young and old(er) joined in with enthusiasm and gusto - it could be said more enthusiasm than skill! After several attempts however a succesful 'plait' was created and the participants warmly congratulated. Grateful thanks to all who contributed to making the day a success, and for all who attended - locals and visitors alike. You can > see photos of the day here
To find out more about King John's Morris Men, visit their website at www.king-johns-morris.org.uk or email squire@king-johns-morris.org.uk or bagman@king-johns-morris.org.uk. They are actively seeking new members! .
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Date: Sunday 10th April The Mayor of Southampoton unveiled a plaque provided by The Huguenot Society of Britain and Ireland at 2pm in the French Garden in Town Quay Park. The nearby French Church of St Juliens was also open during the efternoon. The plaque commemorates the arrival and integration of French Huguenot refugees in the 17th Century, and the gift to the city of a white mulberry tree by the Huguenot community.
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Town Quay Park events 2010:
Date:Tuesday 30th November This was a day to remember the people who lived in houses on the Town Quay site. On the 30th November 1940 a bombing raid destroyed the buildings and many people were killed and wounded. To mark the anniversary, the Friends of Town Quay Park organised a service of commemoration, led by local vicar Tim Daykin, to which survivors of the bombing and their families were invited. Music was provided by the Salvation Army Band, and a short drama based on the events of the Southampton Blitz was provided by the Sarah Siddons Fan Club, Attendees included children from St John's Primary School, and members of The Whestsheaf Trust, who recently renovated the railings around Quilters Vault. A commemorative tree was planted in the park in remembrance of those who dies and those who lost their homes and livelihoods. Schedule:
You can > see photos of the day here |
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Music in the CityOctober 2010 As part of Southampton City Council's 'Music in the City' project, Quilter's Vault played host to a number of free live music sets in October 2010. With live music being performed all across the city, Quilter's Vault provided a unique and atmospheric setting for acoustic, folk and English heritage music which was enjoyed by an enthusiastic and appreciative audience. The sets in Quilter's Vault were organised by Melting Pot (www.meltingpot.org) and featured a number of acclaimed singers and songwriters, including:
For full details of the festival see www.musicinthecitysouthampton.org
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Dejeuner sur l'herbe!August 2010 August Picnic in the Park The dark clouds disappeared, the sun shone, the band played and around sixty Friends and supporters gathered with their picnics, and with enthusiasm, to listen to the Old Town Jazz Band and see what plans the gardeners proposed for the Huguenot garden, and to hear what members of the Huguenot Society had to tell us about their history in Southampton and their ideas for replacing the faded plaque. We were delighted that Michael Courage, Tony Wilson and Martin Harcourt-Williams of the Huguenot Society were able to join us.
Ros Cassy, Chair of the Friends of Town Quay Park Committee Click 'play' to hear Ros explaining the aims of the day Having Quilter's Vault (with a City Guide) and St. Julien's Church open was a great bonus, and many people took the opportunity to visit them, including passers-by who took an interest in our event. It was surprising how many local people were unaware that they were sometimes open. We were delighted that members of the Huguenot society travelled some way to be with us and are grateful for their support of the garden improvements. We must all have had a good time because it was suggested we have a picnic every month. Could this be an informal get-together, say the first Sunday of the month, if people felt like it? Thanks once again to the Old Town Jazz Band for providing the entertainment and a very agreeable soundtrack! For details on the band contact Chris Ricketts on 07870 654686. Let us know what you think on our Facebook page and watch this space!
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May Day Picnic in the ParkMay 2010 What a great picnic to kick off the FTQP events this year! There were so many really nice local park users and it was a wonderful opportunity to meet people and make new friends! The committeee were fantastic hosts, introducing themselves and encouraging particpants to talk to each other. They also created a great village green atmosphere, with a local ragtime band and colourful bunting. The picnics brought by the revellers varied in degrees of sophistication from a few sandwiches to full barbeques, which really added to the sense of occasion - and to the warmth, as the sun decided to make a late appearance. But we were very lucky for an English May day! Can't wait for the next picnic in August! > See a video from the May Day Picnic! Report by Miranda Gray
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