Call for Visual Artists

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We are looking for a range of visual artists in the Black Country (within the Walsall, Sandwell, Dudley and Wolverhampton boroughs) to deliver creative sessions as a part of our Women’s Tuesdays group meeting on Tuesdays 10-12.30pm, May to December 2024.

We are especially keen to commission artists who use various creative means and media to respond to the natural world and explore diverse cultural heritage.

You will be working with a group of creative women from diverse backgrounds who enjoy learning about arts and crafts and using them as a way to engage with natural environment and other cultures.

The fee is £150 per session, with up to £50 for materials. We are keen to book blocks of two sessions, with various artists, the first being an introduction of an art form / medium and the second further exploration.

We are also looking to commission two artists to carry out larger projects at the Garden which lead to the collaborative creation of a work / body of works which will be installed in our outdoor space. We have £2000 for each of these projects and expect them to include at least two participatory workshops.

We are hoping the programme will end with a celebration and exhibition at the end of 2024 / beginning of 2025.

To express your interest, please e-mail Anna Webster at caldmoregarden@gmail.com with a short written proposal describing your creative experience and record of delivering creative projects and workshops (no longer than one page), visual examples of suggested work, and your availability (for example specific months). We are hoping to hear from you by 27th May 2024.

The arts programme at Caldmore Community Garden is funded by West Midlands Combined Authority’s Inclusive Communities Programme operated by the Heart of England Community Foundation.

Job Opportunity – Creative Projects Co-Ordinator at Caldmore Community Garden (2 days a week)

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We’re recruiting a Creative Projects Co-Ordinator to join our friendly team. You will work closely with artists and partners, help put on events, and engage with the local community, community groups, volunteers and creatives. You will contribute to the planning, evaluation and delivery of the arts programme.

The successful applicant will have a passion for creative arts, poetry, performance and strong co-ordination and admin skills. You will be experienced in working creatively with a range of artists and organisations and be committed to working with communities and artists in Walsall.

Contract: 2 days a week, June to December 2024.

Salary: £14-£15 per hour (£25,480 – 27,300 pro rata), depending on skills and experience.

Download the Recruitment Pack as a Word Document or PDF below to find out how to apply. If you’d like to talk with someone in the team before you apply, e-mail caldmoregarden@gmail.com.

Email your completed application to Anna Webster at caldmoregarden@gmail.com by 8am on Monday 13th May 2024.

The arts programme at Caldmore Community Garden is funded by West Midlands Combined Authority’s Inclusive Communities Programme operated by the Heart of England Community Foundation. The poetry project is co-funded by Black Country Touring.

Job Opportunity – Poetry Project Co-ordinator at Caldmore Community Garden

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Caldmore Community Garden in Walsall are looking for a Poetry Project Co-Ordinator to develop and deliver a programme of monthly poetry workshops at the Garden, leading up to a special poetry event and a creation of a poetry trail.

We are especially keen to commission poets who respond to the natural world and explore diverse cultural heritage in their work, and who have contacts and experience in organising the poetry scene in the Black Country.

We hope that the project will bring new audiences to Caldmore Community Garden, explore the nature and environment of the Garden, listen to stories of people involved in or visiting the Garden, and inspire our visitors to engage with the outside space in new ways.

The project will take place between late May and late November / early December 2024.

The project involves:

  • Development, promotion and delivery of 6 monthly poetry workshops at Caldmore Community Garden – 2 days a month at £350 per day (co-ordinator’s fee of £4,200 in total, with an additional materials and refreshments budget);
  • Development, promotion and delivery of 2 events – one poetry event and one engagement workshop at an open community event at the Garden (co-ordinator’s fee of £700 in total, with an additional materials budget);
  • Working with the Community Garden team to design and develop a poetry trail to be installed at Caldmore Community Garden.

To express your interest, please e-mail Anna Webster at caldmoregarden@gmail.com with a short written proposal describing your creative experience and trackrecord of delivering poetry workshops and events (no longer than one page), as well as examples of your work.

The deadline for applications is Friday 10th May at 12pm. We will contact shortlisted candidates the following week.

The arts programme at Caldmore Community Garden is funded by West Midlands Combined Authority’s Inclusive Communities Programme operated by the Heart of England Community Foundation. The poetry project is co-funded by Black Country Touring.

Garden for All Film

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Caldmore Community Garden was started in 2011 by a local charity Caldmore Village Festival on a piece of derelict land in the middle of Caldmore, Walsall. With the continued support of landowners – Walsall Council and whg – and the hard work of volunteers, it was transformed into a vibrant community space that has become indispensable for local people.

We would not have been able to achieve all this without our funders over the years: Walsall Council, whg, Green Square Accord, Sanctuary Housing, Near Neighbours, The National Lottery Awards for All fund, the Arts Council England, Creative Black Country, People’s Postcode Trust, People’s Health Trust, Heart of England Community Foundation, Asda Foundation, Tesco Bags of Help, West Midlands Police & Crime Commissioner, Comic Relief, CAF Bank, Children in Need, Millenium Point Charitable Trust, Black Country Touring, and West Midlands Combined Authority.

We are especially grateful to the Tudor Trust and The National Lottery Community Fund, “Reaching Communities”, for helping us grow and reach our potential, to open every day to the local community, and explore new exciting directions to support local people. It is thanks to their funding that we were able to make this video and document our project and all its achievements.

Thanks to Junction 15 Productions for the outstanding and inspiring work they did with this video and to Paul Turner at PT Aerial Photography for his professionalism and providing us with the amazing aerial footage of the Garden. And above all, we would like to thank the community of Caldmore for being a constant source of inspiration and all our wonderful volunteers involved in Caldmore Village Festival and Caldmore Community Garden. Look how much we have achieved together and how much potential we have for the future!

Film made with funding from the National Lottery Community Fund and the Tudor Trust and produced by Junction15 Productions. Visit them at www.junction15.com.

B’Opera Baby Opera features in the video at one of our events this year – they are absolutely amazing, visit them at www.bopera.co.uk.

Free May Half-Term Holiday Play Scheme at Caldmore Community Garden

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FREE MAY HALF-TERM HOLIDAY PLAY SCHEME AT CALDMORE COMMUNITY GARDEN

Tuesday 28th May – Saturday 1st June, 12-3pm

FOR CHILDREN 8 – 12 YEARS OLD

Have fun, make new friends, learn and make childhood memories!

– Creative activities

– Science

– Cooking

– Gardening

– Nature Education

– Campfires

– Outdoor play

Activities will take place outdoors and indoors.

You have to register for the whole week.

Lunch (halal, vegetarian) will be provided.

Book in advance: http://tinyurl.com/caldmoreplayscheme by Friday 17th May and we will confirm your space on Monday 20th May.

If you have any questions, please contact Anna on 07871813252.

Easter Egg Hunt at the Caldmore Community Garden Garden – 23rd March 12-4pm

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Come and join us for our annual

EASTER EGG HUNT at Caldmore Community Garden:

– 12.30pm and 3pm – Easter Egg Hunt for children aged 1-4 – have a go at finding chocolate eggs at the Garden!
Little ones must be accompanied by a grown-up, no older siblings allowed in the tots area. Please don’t be late!

– 1-3pm – Easter Egg Trail for older children – complete an Easter Egg trail, solve the clues and claim your chocolate egg! No need to come at a specific hour, your child can do it at any time during the event.

There will be lots of other activities, including:

🥚 Easter arts and crafts
🥚 Children’s entertainment with Happy Child
🥚 Tombola
🥚 Face-painting
🥚 Cake and drinks at our Community Cafe

It’s a Pay as You Feel event – we are a charity and need your support putting events like this for the benefit of the local community. Put some spare cash into a box or pay by card to help us bring you more activities in the future.

You can also donate to the Garden here: https://localgiving.org/…/caldmorevillagef…/project/CCG/ . Your support will be much appreciated.

Job Opportunity – Assistant Play Scheme Worker at Caldmore Community Garden

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Caldmore Village Festival Ltd based in Caldmore, Walsall, has the following vacancy for enthusiastic and experienced assistant play scheme worker:

Assistant Play Scheme Worker

Hours: 

7 hours per day, 6 days a week during June and October half – term holidays, Easter and Summer school holidays (9 weeks in a year).

Salary: £12 per hour

Start date: 25th March 2024 (until the end of December 2024).

Place of work: Caldmore Community Garden, Carless Street, Walsall WS1 3RH.

Applicants must have experience of working with 8 – 12 year olds in a play environment.

All posts are subject to receipt of a satisfactory enhanced DBS disclosure for a regulated activity and reference checks.

If you are interested in applying for this position, please send your CV and cover letter to Anna Webster at caldmoregarden@gmail.com.

JOB DESCRIPTION

The closing date for applications is: 4th March 2024 12.00 noon.

Interviews will take place on Monday 11th March 2024.  Shortlisted candidates will be contacted by Thursday 7th March.

The post is funded by Children in Need.

Apple Pruning and Wassail – 20th January 12-4pm

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We’re bringing a country tradition to town.  Come and take part in our version of a countryside tradition to help celebrate the start of the year and encourage our apple trees to bear lots of fruit this summer.

  • Apple pruning workshop with Sally Cunningham – 12-2pm – learn all about pruning apple and other fruit trees at this practical workshop with our Garden Organic expert! It’s free but please book in advance on caldmoregarden@gmail.com.
  • Mike Bethel will treat us to a beautiful performance at 2.30pm singing songs celebrating nature.
  • Arts and crafts for children – come and make some shakers to drive out the old year and the poor crops.
  • Hot soup, cake and campfire – dress up warm and join us in the Garden!

Caldmore Community Garden, Carless Street, WS1 3RH

Christmas at the Garden – 16th December 2023 1-4pm

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Come and join us for a joyful Christmas celebration at the Garden.

Visit Santa’s Grotto – meet Santa and his elves! All children get a present from Santa.

Enjoy Christmas music with B’Opera:

  • at 1pm Relaxed Concert for children aged 0-5 and their families;
  • at 2.30pm – Carols and winter songs from all around the world.

There will be Christmas crafts, and our community cafe will be running with mince pies, non-alcoholic mulled wine, hot drinks and home-made cake!

Everyone is welcome!

Free wreath making workshop at Caldmore Community Garden – 5th December 10am – 1pm

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Make a Christmas wreath using natural vine wreath base which can be reused, collected sprigs of pine, fir holly and other greenery and traditional aromatic Christmas dried orange and cinnamon.
Add a few reusable artificial berries and ribbons.

Led by Deb Slade, Community Arts Worker. Deb rally enjoys gathering the greenery, drying orange slices etc at the start of the Christmas month.


You are welcome to bring some of your own greenery – Deb will bring plenty of holly for everyone, so look out for the more unusual, blue greens and lime greens for contrast. If any one has any eucalyptus, bring loads!

The workshop is free, but spaces are very limited and booking is essential! To book, e-mail caldmoregarden@gmail.com or message / whatsapp Anna on 07871813252.

The workshop is funded by The National Lottery Community Fund.