'Common Ground - Children Among Us'
Team Co-ordinator Rosalyn Plant

There will a continuous programme of workshop activities available to all age groups from the Common Ground summer school and Festival. Children under five must be accompanied by an adult.

The programme will follow the time schedule of the summer school. 9 - 12.15 morning session, 12.15 -1.30 lunch when the children are supervised by their parents, 1.30 - 4.45 afternoon session. After this all children will be the responsibility of their parents and can join with sessions and concerts if appropriate.

The grounds at Auchincriuve are a natural playground for children. Last year they had a wonderful time playing during the evening. However this is not officially supervised and all children are their responsibility of their parents.

The children's programme is designed to incorporate fully all aspects of play - the importance of experiencing creativity through different mediums and different senses, group interaction and group involvement, individual input and expression and the chance to learn new skills in a relaxed atmosphere. The leaders are all highly qualified individuals who understand the importance children's play in terms of group interaction and creativity as well as enjoyment and exercise. To give us an idea of numbers and age groups of the children we should cater for, please let us know in advance, if possible, your family's requirements.

'Common Ground - Children Among Us' - an expanation of what will be happening by Ros Plant

I want to build on the ideas that what we are creating is an environment for creative activities that children can be among. This gives the children the both the best opportunity to get the full potential from the activities as well creating an amazing experience for everyone involved. The whole point to the plans is that it will be interesting for all ages and abilities - ie Total Inclusion.

We will offer Arts and Craft Activities such as ceramics, Batik making sarongs, headscarves, Raku firing led by Anthea Summers.

Physical Activities such as football, Frisbee and rounders, led by Sports Science Undergraduate Luke Summers who this year will be inspirational, both for gaining new skills and creating a organisational approach to getting the kids and adults galvanised into playing games and having fun. With a Steiner education he is equally at home knitting, weaving, making pottery or playing circle games.

This year we were determined to bring in a real musical dimension for people of all ages to participate together. We are privileged to have Frank McGuire, a master of percussion, to lead a week of drumming for all ages. He is a brilliant percussionist with an amazing CV who has extensive experience of teaching all ages and abilities. These workshops will be an amazing experience for everyone. Frank will also provide bodhran tuition within our music programme. Any child wanting to learn fiddle, whistle, bagpipes, Scot's song etc will be directed to the relevant workshops run in Oswald Hall. But we will encourage sharing any music on any instrument in our workshops.

Dance will be incorporated whenever possible with the drums, music and creation of play spaces and batik designed materials such as sarongs. We are delighted to welcome another two members of the team Chris Hoddinott and Michelle Hoddinott who bring a wealth of experience with them. Chris had a Fine Arts degree from the City and Guilds of London Art School and a post graduate degree from the Glasgow School of Art in Printing. He is a sculptor who uses found and recycled materials and has exhibited widely. He began his work as a community artist at the Gorbels Arts Project. Recently he has just finished an Eco Award project in Sanquhar, creating a Living Willow Dome with children and adults. Michelle has a BA (Hons) in Art and Design from the Glasgow School of Art and a PGCE Secondary (Art). She is an artist, teacher, and administrator and is currently the coordinator for Turning Point Scotland in Dumfries and Galloway. Access Arts is one of her projects that support adults with learning disabilities to participate in art activities and exhibit their work throughout Scotland.

Rosalyn Plant who is the coordinator of this team has a Creative Arts degree in Dance and Music and is an experienced movement leader for all ages and abilities. Rosalind Connell, a nurse who is wonderful with children, will be joining our team with nursery nurse experience. She also is fascinated by the positive effect movement has upon young children. Last but not least we are being joined by Hanna Plant and Rachael Wallace who are both musical, sporty, organised and kids and adults love them. They are our official teenage helpers. But we are confident we will gather more.

Last year we were so impressed by the wisdom and help given to us by young children, teenagers and adults that floated in and out. Read the Banner 'Common Ground - What is it?' They had some wise words and insights.

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