Creative Connections: Milcote Assembled by A.L.I CIC
Milcote Assembled wanted to get more people to connect with one another by virtually assembling the people that make-up Milcote Road in Bearwood.
The project focused on making connections on one road in Bearwood. This road is Milcote Road. The project aimed to get people to connect with one another through a series of small ‘operations’ over the course of a few weeks. This was done through anonymous communications.
The fun and games started one sunny morning when 175 households on Milcote Road woke up to find a bag on their doorstep with a small gift and an invitation letter to text ‘Bear with us’ to a mystery number.
An unidentified figure known as Bear lead the communication with local residents to take part in a small number of operations on a ‘Play as You Go’ contract.
Operation Takeout
At 3am in the morning, 175 bags were left outside 175 households on Milcote Road to invite them to be part of Milcote Assembled. They asked people to text a number to be part of the project.
Operation Home Front
A text was sent to see if residents wanted a free photography portait outside their front door. Photographer Nikki Cooper photographed 20 households.
Operation Few of My Favourite Things
10 questions were set to all those taking part asking them about their 10 favourite things including their favourite songs, their favourite food, favourite colour and favourite things about where they lived.
The results were presented on a banner put up outside Antonios cafe on the road. Some of the more upbeat lyrics from songs were made in to posters.
Operation Party
They set up the smallest (pretend) political party in the world by aking the residents of Milcote Road to come up with their own Milcote Ministerial roles. These include a Minister of Retro, a Time Minister and a Minister of Big Imaginations.
Operation Express
Local residents showed off their skills and creativity in this one-off exhibition on Milcote Road.
HOW TO FOLLOW THE PROJECT
Facebook: Milcote Assembled
Twitter: #MilcoteAssembled
Website: https://www.milcoteassembled.co.uk/
Participant comments:
“A lot of fun, could have the seeds of a bigger event within it, would love to see this expanded upon to bring our community even closer and involve more people.”
“It was fantastic! Very thoughtful and kind. The posters are great and it’s great seeing them up around the street.”
“It was an imaginative way of bringing the Milcote Community together and we appreciated it enormously.”
“Myself and my family really enjoyed it. The Instagram page was great. We tried to get involved in all of the events. Great idea well executed. We were really impressed and I think it did what it set out to achieve...bring the community closer together. Well done!”
“Intriguing. A flash of excitement and wonder amidst the lethargy of lockdown.”
“Amazing job to create a connection between us. Thank you.”
“Great idea to get the residents involved and maybe making a bit of effort with each other.”
“It was a great way of bringing a local community together and good fun to be a part of. I feel more connected to my neighbours now.”
“We really enjoyed participating in the Milcote Assembled event. From the intrigue of the take away bags left on the door step to joining in all the different tasks. It was something we were able to engage with as a family (both my husband and son also contributed) and was nice to think it was bringing the community together. We had lots of fun replying to the messages and completing the tasks. We only wish there had been more (and that we weren’t away for the art exhibition).”
“It was very creative and mysterious. Great talking point with neighbors, family and friends. It was fun to be apart of project.”
“It was really lovely having such a surprise community event in the midst of the pandemic. It was clever, thoughtful and fun, especially when seeing who got involved and trying to guess who was Bear.”
“It was a great way to get the community together at a time when many are isolated. It was thoughtfully planned and accessible to many age groups.”
“Lots of fun and mystery involved. Great way of bringing a sense of identity to the road.”