Caravan of Dreams - Intro Video!

So finally after waiting for what seems like days and days and days....

I have managed to upload the short film made which introduces the Caravan of Dreams nicely! Please enjoy - and if you really enjoy - please share and tell all your friends!

Millie =)

Ultimate team building… a view from the van

How do you build a network of wildly different organisations spread across a region of 6,000 square miles into a team of co-workers? 

A snap shot of an EMPAF meeting would show you that there are not enough hours even in a day-long meeting for passionate people to get everything off their chest.  Everyone has so much to say, share and hear from each other – our UK meetings often end when people suddenly stand up and say “I have to be on the train at 10 past”, put on their coats and walk out.  Then everyone travels back to their part of the region thinking of all the things we didn’t talk about; how interesting it would be to get views on a pressing issue that wasn’t on the agenda.

What was discovered at ICAF 2011 was the space to explore anything and everything on people’s minds, and the content of the conference itself as a catalyst to brand new thoughts and ideas.  Well, so I was told – I wasn’t there; my colleague Jill Turner was the High Peak representative that year, and she came home with a twinkle in her eye and a spring in her step.  So the Caravan of Dreams was born at some point between then and 2013 when our planning began.  Taking that idea of finding the space to work together intensively, we now have four of us sharing a journey in a van (two in relay), plus the reinforcements of another three who have joined us.   And I have to say it has been such an honour to visit and be welcomed by so many wildly different and passionate workers here in Holland.  They almost feel like part of our extended network now and reflecting on their practice has shone a light on our own.

I’ve loved being in the van – Andy Barrett from Excavate talks in his blog posts about approaching each encounter with a sense of mischief.  Yes, having witnessed him leaving a food parcel by the door of the family who told us where to find the supermarket, I can attest.  His warmth and energy have made an impression on me and it is exactly this kind of close working which we have no space for back in the UK.  Millie Ferguson from the Core in Corby is a legend of digital knowledge – I have been quietly sucking up new information and loving seeing how someone does it properly.  Keeping up with technology is a major issue for a tiny organisation like ours, where I am the default IT Manager, but am entirely self taught.

Everyone at home thinks I’m away on the ultimate Jolly.  But we have worked till near midnight on most days, and with a sense of panic over the volume of footage shot, the photos to upload, the coordinates to plot on Empedia.  Now is the time to make sense of it all and get gifts for those at home who have planned so hard and supported us while here (yes, Amy Smith, that’s you, and Tony that’s also you and many more…).  ICAF 2014 starts today – so watch this space for the fireworks that sets off.

Sophie, High Peak Community Arts

Dinosaurs & Disco Balls!

Millie's Log - Earth Date 20 March 2014

We begin! Today was the day! The day of the epic journey starting in Chesterfield, going to Nottingham, onwards to Leicester then to Dover! (Via Maplins!)

For those of you who know me well, will not be surprised to hear that I left it to the last (very last) minute to pack - and for those who have yet to get to know (& love) me - I can sometimes leave things till the 11th hour and 56th minute!

Luckily the traffic was on our side and we made it to those white cliffs with plenty of time to spare. The whole ferry experience was a bit weird as compared to the security at the airport it seemed on the whole very non-existent - not that we had anything to hide!

We all felt a surge of excitement as we saw the sea - the adventure begins! (& Of course lunch!)

When we reached Calais-  France, the fun did start! Paul made driving on the wrong side of the road look a doddle - and when we finally found a petrol station it was my turn to acquaint myself with driving. Which of course I handled like a pro!


Getting through France to Holland seemed to take no time at all  - three hours to drive through three countries - the roads were nice, straight and little traffic!

When we arrived at the Hotel Port, us road weary travellers decided that a drink was in order - which could commence once we had unloaded the van - Buckaroo anyone? We were also met by Sikko from Cal XL (http://www.cal-xl.nl/) who has been organising our trip from this end. Over a pint for the chaps and a modest JD & coke for me, we chatted about the week ahead - which sounds fab!

As for Dinosaurs & Disco Balls? The bar we ended up in was Jurassic Park meets Hard Rock Cafe!

And on that note - I bid you good night as I make a bee line for my bed!

See you on the 'morrow!

Millie =)