A BARNSLEY village celebrated a decade of community spirit at the weekend.
Thurnscoe came alive thanks to a community event that featured a 20ft art interactive art structure.
Hosted by Big Local Thurnscoe and their legacy organisation, Thurnscoe Regeneration CIO, the event titled "Building the Future" drew in local residents to celebrate and engage in a day filled with art, theatre, and fun.
Marking ten years since Local Trust, a National Lottery Community funded programme committed £1 million to Big Local Thurnscoe.
The event’s showstopper was the 20 by 40 foot Lumini installation by Architects of Air, which offered visitors a sensory journey via light, colour and sound of the history of Thurnscoe – with stories about the past ten years of Thurnscoe Big Local that people could listen to as they explored the Lumini.
Alison Vint, development worker at Big Local Thurnscoe, said: “the event was a great way for Big Local Thurnscoe to celebrate all that we have achieved over the last 10 years. The dedication of our fantastic volunteers was evident as they faced rain, hail and strong winds on the day but nothing could deter their determination to get stuck in and create another opportunity to celebrate and engage with residents.”
“Working with our community partners and volunteers, we proved yet again that we are so much stronger when we come together. Trustees from our legacy organisation Thurnscoe Regeneration were on hand to chat to residents about the future and assure them that the legacy of Big Local Thurnscoe will continue as they take on the challenge to make Thurnscoe a better place to live.”
“The majority of the 400 people who got tickets for the incredible Lumini art installation turned up to see it – and we were even able to squeeze in a few extra people who turned up wanting to go in the installation. We had some incredible community organisations turn up to speak to people, including Andy’s Man Club and Barnsley Libraries.”
The atmosphere was enriched by MarkMark Productions’ walkabout theatre, who played the roles of intrepid explorers to entertain audiences of all ages.
Other attendees on the day included the mayor of Barnsley, James Stowe, and the MP for Wentworth and Dearne, John Healey, who said of the day, “Big Local Thurnscoe has done some great work in and around Thurnscoe over the past decade. The charity has put on several events for the community, invested in Phoenix Park to create a new green space and built the community plaza in the centre of town. Everyone involved in the project has helped to leave a lasting legacy and I know the new charity, Thurnscoe Regeneration, will continue this fantastic work for many years to come.”
Greg Kuczmaida, trustee of the legacy charity Thurnscoe Regeneration CIO, said: “Thurnscoe and the wider Dearne area are the most deprived in Barnsley and the work carried out by Big Local Thurnscoe over the last ten years has helped to lift the area and consistently engage the local community.
“There is still a strong sense of community within the former mining area and the opportunity to form a legacy organisation – Thurnscoe Regeneration – means it will be able to continue supporting local projects and events in Thurnscoe.”
While the event on Saturday does signify the end of Big Local Thurnscoe, the legacy of the Big Local in the town continues to shape a bright future for the tight-knit community – paving the way for the legacy organisation, Thurnscoe Regeneration CIO, to continue the community work.
