SEED, a creative people and places project based in Sedgemoor, is inviting Bridgwater residents to Creative Accelerator events.

These events are designed as an open forum to help locals to express their creative wishes for the area.

Future developments will then be tailored to these idea. 

Past projects resulting from Creative Accelerators include the Front Garden Music Festival, Blues in the Pews in Highbridge and the Cheddar Individuality Project.

Seed Director Scott O’Hara said: “These sessions are different to your usual consultation events because they are the first step in enabling local people to actually decide in how the grant funding we receive from Arts Council England should be spent. 

“We have the money to make things happen. We want to look past what is currently available and find out what you would like to see happen. 

“From experience we know that it doesn’t take long for people to start getting creative! We will then continue to work with members of the community to make the best ideas a reality.”

Bridgwater Mercury: Seed's past Creative Accelerator projects led to Front Garden Music Festival and the Blues in the

The next event will take place on December 14 at the Victoria Park Community Centre café from 6pm to 8pm.

Participants can share their thoughts about what they would like to see in the community, with no suggestion deemed too big or small.

Seed will then continue to work with locals to bring the best ideas to fruition.

The Creative Accelerators are part of the Art’s Council’s Creative People and Places Programme.

Seed has a dedicated budget for this initiative to bring these ideas to life, shaping their programme in Bridgwater for the next 18 months.

As well as putting forward their own ideas, locals will also have the opportunity to submit proposals for commission and attend events produced by Seed.

One previous attendee, Bridgwater resident Jo Middleton, described her experience: "I came along this week to the Creative Accelerator group at the Engine Room and went home on such a high!

"I absolutely loved having the opportunity to think creatively and can see what incredible work Seed Sedgemoor is doing, it really was a thrill to be a part of that."

Seed represents a consortium of local organisations, including Homes in Sedgemoor, Community Council for Somerset, Bridgwater Senior Citizens Forum, Somerset Film, Young Somerset and Bridgwater Town Council.

The fundamental belief underpinning all of Seed's activities is that arts, culture and creativity should be integral to everyday life, providing new ways for Sedgemoor's residents to participate, create, and celebrate.