National Lottery-funded arts programme comes to a close

Seed Sedgemoor's Creative People and Places programme was funded through Arts Council England and The National Lottery.

The programme ran for six and a half years to increase public engagement with the arts and was extended twice beyond its initial three-year funding period.

Despite the challenges posed by the Covid-19 pandemic, Seed delivered 190 creative projects and directly engaged 16,716 people across Sedgemoor.

The programme also recorded more than 700,000 audience engagements since 2020.

(Image: Supplied)

This was thanks in large part to its public art projects and events such as the Front Garden Music Festival, the Angel Place Creative Popup, and various murals and displays across Highbridge, Burnham-on-Sea, and Bridgwater.

Frankie Smith, chair of trustees, said: "Though this chapter closes we remain committed to doing all we can to keep Seed alive.

"The legacy the people of Sedgemoor have helped grow will continue to bloom in homes, streets and imaginations."

Participants have spoken of the impact the programme has had on their lives.

Alan Hardcastle, who took part in the first Clashmob event in Bridgwater in 2021, said: "I have loved being a part of this.

"I had been out of music performance for 20 years and had struggled to get involved - it's so much harder when you are over 30.

"Seed’s Clashmob and Guitar and Bass group activities were the springboard to help me get back into music performance and creation."

Many first-time songwriters took part in workshops through Seed.

(Image: Elliott Morgan)

This led to the launch of the Sounds of Sedgemoor album on March 14 at Bridgwater Arts Centre.

Corrinne Curtis, who led the play All Hands! about the wreck of the Nornen, said: "Seed’s initial commission of the project gave me hope, and the means to make the play not just a reality, but a huge success.

"But much more than that, the relationships and networks Seed fostered here, and the belief shown in me have made a world of difference.

"I felt so supported, and enabled to thrive as a person and an artist.

"It takes some pretty special people to create, deliver and sustain something so transformative, so thank you for bringing creativity so warmly, sensitively and brilliantly to an area deprived of it for so long."

Frankie Smith also extended thanks to the team.

She said: "My deepest heartfelt thanks go to Director Scott O'Hara, whose leadership and vision have guided Seed from day one; to Laura Hylton, whose energy and empathy have connected countless community members; to Elliott Morgan, whose words, care and creativity helped share Seed's story with the world; and to Phil Shepherd whose extensive links in the community were invaluable to the project.

"To them, and to every artist, volunteer, and partner who has made these years possible, I offer our deepest gratitude."

Seed’s legacy continues with events such as the Seasons fashion show, co-commissioned last year by Seed and the Bridgwater Town Deal.

The show will return on May 29 and 30 at St Mary’s Church and will feature new collections from both local and international designers.

Seed will remain active as a volunteer-led organisation.