Kandu-Arts

Meet Camilla West, a very talented jewellery designer and maker, who is a member of the ‘Artspring’ artist collective based in Tonbridge (*which is different from Tunbridge Wells). On this occasion, they branch out into Trinity Theatre in Tunbridge Wells for a wonderful exhibition (that you can see from 11-21 October, Monday to Saturday 10-3pm). Have a look at this beautiful exhibition and this very interesting place, and learn more about Camilla’s life, in this episode of our S.H.O.P. podcast.

What a privilege, to have a glimpse into this amazing’s person’s life - we present to you our very own local artist/S.H.O.P. volunteer Jennie Havord, whose stories and life experience are abundant and versatile, from working in TV and film production, to homesteading on a farm in Scotland and writing books, it seems there was never a dull moment in her life. We are very lucky to have her and her lovely art (some of which you can see and buy in our S.H.O.P.) with us in the S.H.O.P. in Chippenham, Wiltshire, Planet Earth.

For all you sweet toothers out there (I’m one of them!) and lovers of beautiful hand-made gifts and toys (who isn’t?!) have a sneak peak into the world of Louise Skeates - the mastermind and super-productive creative owner behind Rubydoo Cakes & Rubydoo Toys, everyone’s favourite cake & toy shop in Chippenham! If, like us, you didn’t realise this lady does everything by herself, down to the design of her mugs, cards, crocheting, sewing and of course, making all the cakes! Prepare to be blown away, because we haven’t met such a productive person in a while. And of course drop them a visit, and in this podcast hear all about the “experiment” Ed will conduct in partnership with Rubydoo. And as a cherry on top, you get to see Lauren testing one of their vegan gluten-free milkshakes. Yum!

In this episode of our podcast, Ed weaves many threads into a single quilt known as sustainable development. Brushing on topics such as healthy living (being a conscious consumer as opposed to buying into marketing strategies), being conscious and active in local politics as a way of doing your bit wherever you are (as a part of a global movement), coming together to use arts as a means of sending some positive vibes out there in the world (and fundraising for those in need as we did last week), and many more, just watch it, I won’t spoil it for you. And please comment your own thoughts, do you agree, disagree? Thanks for watching.

Happy 150th episode of our S.H.O.P. podcast everyone! We had some wonderful guests over the past two years since we started (in the middle of the pandemic), and it has all been centered around our community hub “Social Hub of Positivity” in Emery Gate. And what a positive place it is, completely volunteer-run, 6 full days a week, so Ed thanks our wonderful volunteers in this episode and looks back on yesterday, when we had another very positive event in our S.H.O.P.- the fundraising “Songathon” that brought together many musicians from our community. Have a look (and a listen) & thank you for watching.

Is this podcast an hour long? Yes. Is it worth your time? Also yes. :) For anyone interested in education and the music industry, this episode is well worth a watch. And for anyone interested in meeting a couple of lovely emphatic accomplished people, also well worth a watch! Ed (with Donna) visits Weston College in Weston-Super-Mare and chats to some of the staff in the music department - Oz Cahill & Peter West, who we’ve had the pleasure to meet and work alongside this year’s Minety Festival. He admires their work ethos, shares some of ours, they chat about past and future projects, the most important aspects of learning and teaching, Leonardo Da Vinci, receptionists, look back at Minety, and much more. So have a look at this unique insight into what makes a college successful.

Ed chats to Richard Swatton, one of the directors of the (mighty) Minety Festival, where we took part with our Kandu Arts 25th Anniversary Stage earlier this year, bringing our own acts and hosting some wonderful Minety Festival ones. Richard (exclusively?:) announces some of the acts for Minety 2024! Early bird tickets already sold out, get your Tier2 tickets because it’s not to be missed. Ed and Richard also look back at Minety 2023, some of their personal favourites, and literally look into the past with clips from Minetycast that Kandu Arts produced, a vlog coming out each day (plus the previous day and the post-festival one) following the music and offer of Minety festival. So check out this recap and prepare for next year :)

Ed chats to our Kandu Croatian cultural exchange guests, the very wonderful teacher Iva and headteacher Jasminka (who was previously featured on the show) about their week, what they’ve seen and done in England and how they found it. We also invite you to the second and last day of our Unlock Reset Festival at the Pitch&Putt in Monkton Park, to this unique event for Chippenham, bringing quality local talent to your doorstep. Please join us today and share with your family and friends at: https://www.facebook.com/events/3246250259007998?ref=newsfeed <3 we made the ticket prices very accessible.

Ed tunes in this sunny Sunday morning, announcing some events we have coming up and reminding everyone to join us next weekend at Unlock Reset Festival for some lovely music! Which you will be able to preview in this podcast, so have a look and a listen to some of our performers and join us for this magical weekend at the unique venue that is the Pitch&Putt in Monkton Park, with this unique event for Chippenham, bringing quality local talent to your doorstep. Please attend the event and share at: https://www.facebook.com/events/3246250259007998?ref=newsfeed <3 we made the ticket prices very accessible.

We’re back at the Five Elements Retreat in Bromham, with Trudy Spears, this time to experience some of her offer - a Reiki session. The client is Kandu Arts own Lauren Rogers, someone who has never experienced any alternative treatments and has agreed to be a “guinea pig” on the treatments Trudy is offering. Have a look at this unique insight into the world of Reiki, and have a think about whether it is something you would like to experience yourself. Thank you Ed and Trudy!