Congratulations
on a great community art event. I think it did 'just what it
said on the tin', brought people together, and restored some
pride in Southend. I met some really nice people, all with smiles
on their faces. Peter Bolton ~
Photographer
|
Just
a quick line to say thank you for Saturday's events... I was
at the top of my road with the torches, we were joined by a
dozen other people we were all chatting and laughing together
even though we had never met before it was a really good atmosphere,
a few people did not have torches so they lit candles. Nick
Skinner ~ Torch Bearing Volunteer
|
How
did the photographs go on Saturday night. We saw the helicopter
circling and there were many people spaced out down our section
of the road. Best Wishes, Kerry
Merchant, Simon Mudd, Anthony Haylock ~ Torch Bearing Volunteers |
I
was part of the Circle Of Light, along with my friend Jennifer
Humphreys. We pitched up at St. Lukes Road. Managed to take
a few pics whilst shining our torches. Also gave the guys a
wave. Was truly happy to be part of the experience along with
being a part of Southend's history. Shall keep updated on your
web site. Thanks Suzanne O'Connell
& Jennifer Humphreys ~ Torch Bearing Volunteers |
We all
really enjoyed ourselves ... As for the event itself, we found
ourselves evenly spread along the pavement between a mum and
child (about 6) and a group of 20-30 something's. We chatted
to each of these participants and everyone was enjoying taking
part in something rather different...
As well
as the volunteers we also met a drunk who seemed to believe
we were trying to guide aliens in to land, but actually cared
more about the footy result from that afternoon...
It certainly
didn’t take long for the curtain twitching to begin
once we were in place and eventually the mother of the household
was sent out to investigate what we were doing, after the
Dad thought it was some alien cult making a call sign, having
established it wasn’t something to do with the church
(the giveaway clues being torches not candles and Andre carrying
a ‘journey’ beer with him!!) We spent 10 minutes
or so chatting with the mother and the son who came out to
see what was going on, we explained the web site address,
before they went to appease their neighbour’s curiosity
by knocking on the door and telling them all about it as well!
We look forward to seeing the results of the drawing and hearing
about the next project!
Helen Cooper, André Vibert,
Simon Lidgate, Joanne Cooper ~ Torch Bearing Volunteers
|
Max and I had a good time and met a few people last night but
it sure was cold. Well done, Malcolm
Wilson & Max Longmuir ~ Torch Bearing
Volunteers
|
Congratulations
on the success of the Pi-project yesterday...the gods were definitely
smiling on you as the sky was really clear (I’d been willing
the clouds to skedaddle after the rain-showers of the afternoon)...I
was at the beach area in Westcliff. Val
Rozga ~ Torch Bearing Volunteer
|
We
got to Wenham Drive and we had fun. Christine
Coleman & Family ~ Torch Bearing Volunteers
|
I
would like to take this opportunity to thank you all for a fantastic
evening yesterday...I chatted to Paul after you left and he
has decided to include James in another of your projects in
August, as my son is a complete and utter electricity and lights
freak. James is wildly excited about this... I am keen to involve
him too as he is a very enthusiastic and inquisitive child who
would benefit from being involved with something like this.
He's quite a little science buff!
As for Simon and I, we are also keen to be involved in any further
projects...Eccentric is a key word here because I think your
project appealed to the eccentrics among us and I believe this
to be a great quality in the people of this country and something
I would very much like to see kept alive.
We are all bogged down with lunatic political correctness these
days, so much so that it makes it nigh on impossible to enjoy
yourself without somebody moaning - but your project achieved
new heights in the community spirit and enjoying life stakes
and achieved far more than any politician ever could... I found
the whole thing utterly refreshing...So well done, for shattering
misconceptions (the powerbockers proved to the locals that not
all young people are a nuisance; not all yacht clubs are for
posh folk with big boats and lots of cash!); creating a fantastic
community atmosphere and putting Southend on the map. Many people
knock it but I think it's a wonderful, vibrant place, with some
wonderful people, which you have beautifully managed to highlight.
Kim Gandy ~ Torch Bearing Volunteer
|
| It was a
fantastic experience...Good work all round.
Ian Carpenter & Nicola Smith ~ Torch Bearing Volunteers |
It
was a shame that on the one Saturday that I had nothing pre-planned,
that I took a last-minute-offer to meet in people Ilford and
heard the event on BBC Essex as I was leaving Southend... I
congratulate you all for a sterling effort in try to raise community
spirit... I am certain that there is in inherent need in all
of us to be part of something bigger than just our home and
family. This need used to be fulfilled by church, but as football
is the New Religion, that has taken over. The trouble with that
is it is very partisan and divisive. Too many people simply
don't know the thrill of being part of something bigger... So,
well done again, and include me in future events. Allan
Armstrong ~ Future Torch Bearing Volunteer |
