Today a new Produce Market was organised at the Time Bank, 86 High Street, Twerton. This small market allows people in the area to swap or buy produce from local gardens or allotments. Several people turned up to exchange their home grown goods for something else and it is hoped that the idea will catch on.

Produce can also be exchanged for time credits. These can be used to 'buy' help that you need from a Time Bank member, or exchanged for freebies from businesses such as cinema tickets or training opportunities. The Produce Market is open on Wednesdays from 11.30am to 3.30pm.

Joe, 30/07/08

Teenagers at Southside Youth Centre have contributed their own pig sculpture to the 100 pigs situated around Bath. Called Stereotype Pig, it is located in the stairwell at the top floor of the Podium. You can see a couple of full-size photos of the pig here and here.

The artwork uses imagery and words associated with different cultures such as punk rock. When I saw it, I thought that the youth centre pig seemed very relevant to life's experiences, because the youngsters draw attention to the significance of identities and the labels people attach to them.

You have a chance to win £100 by voting for your favourite pig. First you need to look at photos of all the pigs and get the reference number of the one you like best. You can do this here. Then text the Bath Chronicle on 65100. To vote via SMS, you text NWS PIG followed by a space, then the reference number and your full name. Texts cost 50p each, plus your network rates.

Joe, 24/07/08

On Wednesday the Community Learning Service held their free Summer Party in Randall's community room, Twerton Park. This community group offers creative activities intended to raise people's levels of confidence and introduce them to advice on opportunities for learning and work.

The party included a buffet and workshops teaching aromatherapy hand massage, Chinese brush painting, ceramic painting and felt pot making. At the start, a couple of individuals gave their testimonies as to how achieving skills such as being able to read, had increased their self-esteem and in many ways changed their lives.

Top left: ceramic painting workshop; top right: Joe's mum painting a mug
Bottom left: Genie making a felt pot; bottom right: Jackie making a felt pot

The Community Learning Service is one of my favourite community groups. Using craft activities to raise people's self-esteem as a possible preliminary to employment training is a good idea. The staff seem passionate about helping people and have an understanding of how their work fits into the wider framework of needs in the community.

You can find out more about the Community Learning Service here. You can also see a video clip of an earlier Chinese brush painting session here.

Joe, 20/07/08

On Tuesday I visited the boxing club at the Southside Youth Centre, Kelston View, to write an article and make a video clip which you can see here. The boxing club is a great resource for South West Bath and I'm really pleased we've got it.

Boxing training is a good way to keep fit and you don't have to spar if you don't want to. In fact nobody is taking on opponents in the ring yet. A girl called Angie goes to the boxing club to get her fitness back after having a baby. Sessions are held on Tuesdays and Thursdays, from 7pm to 8pm for under-16s, and from 8pm for over-16s.

Joe, 17/07/08