The Engine Room, the community media centre, in Bridgwater High Street, will be opening its doors to the public on Saturday 20 July from noon to celebrate and showcase the new facilities made possible by the Bridgwater Town Deal and other funders.
The event, coinciding with the venue’s 21st birthday, takes place alongside ‘Super Saturday’, a day of free, cultural events happening across the town centre until 5pm.
Engine Room visitors will be able to see ‘Menhir’ an exhibition of digital photography of the Mendip Landscape by contemporary artist Elizabeth Woodger and film from the C S John Sparkes archive project featuring Burtle and aspects of local farming life. Families will be able to enjoy creating 3D sculptures using the famous plastic bricks to go into a VR landscape, making camera obscuras and explore green screen filmmaking.
Managed by registered charity Somerset Film, The Engine Room opened on the site of the former Andersen and Wall garage in March 2003. Initially intended as a three year project, the charity’s activities grew. During the past decade it has expanded into the former tourist information centre – just next door – thanks initially to support from local people, including the former Sedgemoor District Council, Bridgwater Town Council and Arts Council England.
The new facilities and equipment were the result of £500,000 capital investment thanks to the Bridgwater Town Deal Fund, which was awarded funds of £23.2million from the Government to 11 projects. This funding does not affect Somerset Councils’ financial emergency. The money can only be spent on this specific project and cannot be used for services that Somerset Council delivers.
Cllr Ros Wyke, Somerset Council’s Lead Member for Economy, Planning and Assets, said: “Somerset Council has responsibility for delivering the Town Deal for Bridgwater. It aims to help ‘level up’ the area and create a vibrant and welcoming town centre. This will be achieved by revitalising the social, cultural and economic offerings, as well as unlocking future growth by reducing traffic congestion and protecting the area from tidal flooding.”
Somerset Film Creative Director Deb Richardson said “We’re delighted that the Bridgwater Town Deal board have championed culture in this way and recognise the value it can bring to communities and the High Street. The investment will not only benefit local people, it will help us to deliver our activities right across the county. We’re looking forward to seeing the impact it will have on cultural partners such as the Town Hall, Bridgwater Arts Centre and Carnival. Bridgwater is rapidly developing into a must-see town and an exciting destination for a wealth of arts and heritage.”
Other funders who contributed to The Engine Room project include the Clothworkers Foundation, Garfield Weston Foundation, the former Sedgemoor District Council and other local donors.
For further details of the Open Day and the work of Somerset Film visit www.somersetfilm.com/whats-on or call 01278 433187.
