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#Beeston2020Vision - Keeping Beeston Buzzing

 

Commentating on the post-Covid ‘Road to Recovery’ in the shadow of the recent UK budget, one pundit said ‘Culture is the route to recovery’. 

Culture engages people. As individuals it makes us think, develop opinions, feel better, feel happier, find joy. It brings communities together, develops groups, creates a sense of being; a sense of identity, of pride in place. Culture improves our wellbeing. There’s much more to it – not least it can engage us with the wider-world, bringing international recognition and reputation. Vitality brings people in. Beeston is buzzing and it is vibrant. 

What Beeston offers 

This prompted me to take stock of Beeston offerings. Here are some that came to my attention and there may be others:  

Proms in the Park – Town centre entertainments and events – Farmer’s market – Jazz in Libraries – Pub and club entertainments – Oxjam – Art Trails – Artist Open studios – ABC creative - Film shows – Theatre & Music performances – Blue Plaque trails – History and Heritage. Beeston has much to offer too. 

Then there are walks – Street Art – Carnival – Canalside – Attenborough wildlife – Photographic and Art Exhibitions – Heritage open days – Greening Beeston - Garden Trails – Community gardens – Garden Sculptures and Artworks – Barton’s - U3A. 

Worth a visit? 

These are some of the existing standout events and installations that make Beeston worth a visit. Other initiatives are in plan: #AlightinBeeston – Town Trail – Skate Beeston – Design Awards – ACT events - Vacant shop displays – New Cinema – just to mention some. All are putting Buzz into Beeston. 

Surely - compared with other small suburban towns this represents a stunning offering – here to be shared and engaged with, as residents, visitors and businesses.  These events and activities are crucial elements in the planning and rebuilding of our community post Covid and most particularly in supporting town centre retail in the years ahead. 

Leading Role 

So where could we go from here?  If Beeston is to lead, then who would be willing and able to provide leadership – who are the ‘doers’ in our community? Who or what organisations might be ‘in the frame’ to lead, co-ordinate, promote and innovate? The local council, Broxtowe Borough - A local individual or Organisation – Could the Civic Society have a role to play? 

Mervyn Brown

 

18 March 2021

 

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