Watch and listen to the short clip below to learn more about the BG REACH project and what it has meant to the people participating in it.
BG REACH was a partnership between the Open University, Linc Cymru Housing Association and the Aberbeeg Community Group. The project was funded by UK Research and Innovation (UKRI), with additional funds supplied by the Open University and Linc Cymru.
The project has also been reviewed by, and received a favourable opinion from, The Open University Human Research Ethics Committee.
Blog posts
These blog posts were written by members of the BG REACH team. They were produced at different points in time, together forming a kind of chronicle of the project. They show what it was like to work with the inspiring communities of Blaenau Gwent.
- More than just a series of creative arts workshops (1 March 2020) by Richard Marsden
- Art / art history workshops (15 March 2020) by Dr Veronica Davies
- The beauty and talent of Blaenau Gwent (12 February 2021) by Suzanne Bowers
- What makes BG REACH different (18 March 2021) by Richard Marsden
- Warm Welsh Welcome at Aberbeeg (26 May 2021) by Sarah Roberts
- Getting creative in Aberbeeg (11 June 2021) by Liz Ford
Huge thanks to everyone involved in or contributing to BG REACH.
| Project team | Suzanne Bowers, Richard Marsden, Sarah Roberts, Elizabeth Ford, Shabina McGhan, Dean George, Stacey Pring |
| Workshop Facilitators |
Elizabeth Ford, Liz Lane, Robert Matthews, Veronica Davies, Andy O’Rourke, Kate Verity, Hannah Roberts, Natasha James |
| Exhibition text | Elizabeth Ford and Richard Marsden |
| Visual art |
Annie May Penny; Barbara Candlish; Jacqui Bowditch; Connor Goode; Barry Simkiss; Emily Clatworthy; Hilary Davie; Hazel Clatworthy; Mark Burns; Alison Tippings; Raymond Mason; Katharine Marquis; Marcy Noakes; Valerie Ashdown; Yvonne Thomas; Anne Williams; Hazel Robinson; Margaret Edwards; Angharad Jones; Linda Stemp; Gladys Phillips. All artworks curated by Kate Verity and Andy O’Rourke – Malarky Arts |
| Film |
Jacqui Bowditch, Hilary Davie, Pat Tovey. All films produced and edited by Breaking Barriers. |
| Digital stories |
All films produced and edited by pupils from Ebbw Fawr Learning Community, supported by Breaking Barriers. Residents: Anne Williams; Mike Pescod; Fred Pettican; Hazel Robinson and Norma Williams Pupils: Katie Hopes; Mica Preece; Emily Grace Rowland; Billy Smith; Oliwia Sipa; Guan Yan Fan; Jack Neil Morris; Kayleigh Howells; Aneira Mai Dickinson and Lowri Davies. With thanks to lead teacher John Hillier. |
| Music |
Barbara Candlish; Anna McVeigh-Snowden; Susan Davies; Katharine Marquis; Mark Burns; Michael McCann; Kate Collins. Video and audio produced and edited by Liz Lane |
| History timeline |
Based on discussions between workshop participants and put together by Suzanne Bowers, Linc-Cymru. Images: Museum Wales (c. Amgueddfa Cymru – Museum Wales) and Out Of The Blue Artifacts (c. Out Of The Blue Artifacts). Design: Finley Neilens, Head4Arts |
| Pit Ponies |
Katharine Marquis Images: Museum Wales (c. Amgueddfa Cymru – Museum Wales); Oak Tree Animals’ Charity (© National Equine Defence League); © Cornwalls.co.uk; © National Coal Mining Museum for England; Torfaen Museum © Deborah Wudgust; Beamish Museum - NEG 183832 & NEG 183833 |
| Creative writing | Barbara Candlish; Stephen Davies; Katharine Marquis; Susan Davies; Hedley McCarthy; Lacey Smith |
| Photography | Linda Stemp |
| Lockdown Creativity | ‘Rainbows’ was created by and features the community of Cwrt Bracty in Aberbeeg. |
| BG REACH film | Produced and edited by Breaking Barriers. |
This page is part of the Blaenau Gwent REACH online exhibition.
Film and audio | Creative writing | Visual art
Digital stories | The history of Blaenau Gwent | About this project
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