Water Histories Showcase
Guildhall 10.30 – 3.30
A display of artwork from the Water Histories project including a short film made collaboratively with students from Holyrood Academy and artist Anna Chrystal Stephens. There will also be a chance to see documentation from the creative process, meet the artist and ask questions about the project. An introduction from the artist and Holyrood students at 11.30am, Talk & Tea at 2pm. Admission free, refreshments available. https://waterhistories.uk/
Chard Revealed
Guildhall 10.00 – 3.00, 28/29 April
Chard Revealed will provide everyone with an opportunity to view and explore a significant number of photographs from the Dave Wheadon Collection. Museum archivists have, over the past months gone through parts of the collection and created themes, for example Mayors of Chard, local events, and sports teams. Talking to some Chardians and community members they have identified people in the photographs. We want to add to these names and memories.
If people find or see a photograph of family or family members we will do our best to make sure you can ask for a scanned image. Additional to sharing the photographs and stories of the different faces there will be an opportunity to record, if you’re willing, some of your stories and memories to add to the Town’s oral history collection.
The Banners of Chard
Guildhall 10.30 – 3.30, 28/29 April
The Banners of Chard return to the Guildhall for the Spring Festival 2023. The five Banners were created by the Chard community with Somerset Art Works and lead artist Jenny Mellings. Thirty-eight workshops took place between July 2021 and March 2022, focusing on community, wellbeing, nature, the town centre, local heritage, food, culture, diversity, geography and industry. The journey towards the creation of the banners was as important as the production of the final pieces. Storyboards explore the themes on each Banner and the journey of their creation.
Stories and Spaces of Local Chard History
Chard Museum 10 – 1.30, 28/29 April
Chard Museum will be open during the Spring Festival. Chard Museum exists to help today’s community uncover and maintain yesterday’s heritage, history and hidden stories. The Museum opened in 1970 and celebrated its 50th Anniversary in 2020. It is housed in a converted 16th century thatched, listed building originally being four cottages. Later it incorporated the building next door which had been the New Inn public house. The Skittle Alley from the New Inn shows an extensive display of tools used by craftsmen in earlier times.
A special exhibition will be on display in the Museum. It is called HeritArt. The exhibition has been created by a local Arts Club and explores their stories and interpretation of the town’s art, culture and heritage. This exhibition will be available for viewings in the Museum all of the following week.
Blue Plaque Walk
From the Guildhall 10.30, 28 April
Heritage walks led by Chard Museum. The Blue Plaque Walk guides you around 23 of the 27 plaques in and around Chard. Your Guide will share the history of Chard through its buildings and people. This will include the original site of the publication of the Chard and Ilminster News, Prospect House, the Gillingham family home and workshop, the Memorial to John Gunn, and Howards Row, an example of houses linked to the Lace Mills. The Walk takes around two hours including a break at the halfway point in Chard Museum. Refreshments will be available. It is a steady climb when walking up Fore Street and then the High Street to the Museum and the Stringfellow house. Some might prefer to do the walk in two halves. Your Guide will be able to explain how this can be achieved. It is recommended that participants wear sturdy footwear.
Lace Riot Walk
From the Guildhall 2pm, 28 April
Heritage walks led by Chard Museum. The Lace Riot Walk guides you around 7 sites significant to the Lace Industry and more specifically the Lace Riots of 1842. Your Guide will share the living and working conditions of lace workers of the time. They will also share the conditions that led to the Lace Riot and how civic leaders, many of whom were also Lace Mill owners, dealt with the volatile situation. The Walk takes around 45 minutes. Apart from a hill leading from the Minnows (Sainsburys Car Park) the walk is relatively flat. It is recommended that participants wear sturdy footwear.
Creative Community – Afternoon for Families
Guildhall 3.30 – 5.30
A FREE Family Circus Show – Ernie’s Journey is a magical circus theatre adventure including circus, physical theatre, stage magic, poetry and puppetry! FREE Circus workshop – join Jackie Clementine from Ernie’s Journey for a fun, family, circus workshop. For all ages and abilities!
Plus short performances from local school groups including the premiere of Holyrood Academy students’ new short film ‘It starts Here!’ at 4pm. Refreshments provided. Free entry.
Holyrood Film – ‘It Starts Here!’
Guildhall 4 – 4.15pm
A short film showcasing what is good about Chard from the people who live and work here – premiering at the Culturally Chard Spring Festival 2023.
A Youth Council initiated project with Year 10 imedia students from Holyrood Academy.
Creative Supper
Guildhall 6.30 – 9.30
Make soup together, be together, meet new people in the community. Enjoy a fun creative workshop with Ukrainian theatre makers Bohdana Ushatenko and Nadiia Latsyba. Involving movement, voice and play. For everyone – no experience needed! Followed by a very special performance by Bohdana, Nadiia and Ukrainian friends.
A warm welcome to all residents from Chard, including Ukrainian and diverse communities. Soup will be provided but feel free to bring a dish from your own heritage to share.
The evening also features live harp music with the sounds of a Sea Shanty medley and a chance to see the Water Histories project showcase with artist Anna Chrystal Stephens.
For further information contact Katy@takeart.org
Free but booking essential via this link: https://www.ticketsource.co.uk/take-art/creative-supper/2023-04-28/18:30/t-gajrmdm
Culturally Chard 
You must be logged in to post a comment.