Freestyle Burbage has run its course

THE POWERHOUSE pushing forward community arts events across Burbage parish has stepped aside.

Mike George was the brains behind Freestyle Burbage, an initiative aimed at bringing people together to enjoy all kinds of arts and crafts, social events and neighbourhood activities.

But after four years the Featherston Drive resident has decided not to pursue any future Freestyle events.

He said: “I am sorry to say I will not be organising any more Freestyle Burbage events. I would like to say a big thank you to all who have given their help and support over the past four years for our community arts activities and events including the sunflower challenge, photography competition, flowerpot amnesty, yarn bombing, guerrilla gardening, guerrilla poetry, bug walks, bat walks, welly boot planting and picnics.

“I now want to spend more time on my own projects and interests but I will continue to run the Burbage book exchange neighbourhood library, the summer toy library and the Burbage plant swap in May, and I hope to stay active in the Sketchley Corridor Improvement Project and other community activities.”

During the span of Freestyle Burbage, Mike set up Twitter and Facebook pages and also encouraged more interest in grass roots politics for the benefit of everyone in the parish.

Many joined in enthusiastically ,with holiday period yarn bombing at Christmas and Valentine’s Day proving popular, despite thefts and vandalism of the displayed decorations.

An ambitious Summer of Love series of events began well last year but promises of organisational support did not materialise, leaving much of the burden on Mike himself.