Beeston banner looks good and some thoughts of engaging with students

Simon at Pixels & Graphics on Chilwell Road worked his usual magic by taking my artwork and turning it into a banner. It was deliberately designed with space at the bottom for the name of a sponsor, someone who will help cover production costs. In this case it was Simon who gave me a discount, for which I say a big 'thank you'.

I spent Saturday on the Beeston & District Civic Society stand, at the annual Beeston Festival in Broadgate Park, folding and handing out the 2018 edition of my Beeston pocket map. The feedback was generally good. My mistakes seemed to go unnoticed, but I suspect some will come to light on closer examination. My maps are created in 'layers' which can be moved up and down, with the result that I sometimes bury parts of of the map, so they cannot be seen. My other problem is that I habitually do everything in a rush!

The banner is in the care of Judy Sleath, the Chair of the Civic Society, so you should see it about because it has been made to be seen.

Looking at my map and comparing it with the information on the Let's go to Beeston website it is possible to see what each of us misses or information which is out-of-date. If I do it again next year I may well include inset maps (for the stretch between City Road and Regent Street for example). I'd like to extend this version of the map beyond the station as far as Beeston Canal and the Trent, and down as far as Nottingham University's west entrance (as I have done with previous maps). As I have explained before, losing these areas was the price I paid for creating a map which enables me to mark every retail unit in the Beeston town centre area.

If you would like to borrow the map so it can be displayed at a meeting or in a building I'm sure this can be arranged.

A BEESTON FESTIVAL FOOTNOTE.

I am sure that the timing of the event has historical roots, but Beeston has changed and continues to change. If the Festival was held on a Saturday in May, Beeston's large (and growing) student population would still be about, able to attend and participate. You would also miss clashing with large sporting occasions, such as Wimbledon and international football tournaments which occur every other year.

A 'WELCOME TO BEESTON' EVENT?

I know from my years in Lenton that a good few students like to get involved with the local community, if given encouragement and the opportunity, but for this to happen there has to be engagement. Perhaps there is still time for some kind of 'Welcome to Beeston' event in late-September / October this year? It could take place on one of the market days at The Garage? The Middle Street Resource Centre would also make a good venue.

Beeston maps going A1 and posts to come

It's almost a month to the day since my last post. Time goes by at an alarming rate of knots, so I have made the decision to find new homes for my maps and bus boxes. The Beeston maps may well end up with Let's Go To Beeston which has passed to a group of volunteers based at Middle Street Resource Centre.  'I am in talks' as they say and will be taking 4 x A1 size versions of the Beeston Maps to the Resource Centre's annual public meeting on Monday:

Over the past few years I have been supported by Judy Sleath, Chair of Beeston & District Civic Society, Simon at Pixel & Graphics and Matt Turpin, he of The Beestonian, and they have seen it morph from a single line to what it is now. I will stay with it until others are confident to take over, but 'the branding' will change if my maps are taken over so to speak.

To see the first ever A1 versions of my maps come along to Middle Street Resource Centre on Monday evening. I'm particularly pleased with my Beeston Nights map even though it remains a work in progress (see section of map below). In a room with the lights off and Aaron Copland's Quiet City suite in the background I love what I've created so far. Before I take it further I hope to get some feedback, so watch this space.

Click on image to enlarge.

Tomorrow morning I will post some pieces about Basecamp, The Last Post and Iquazu I have had waiting weeks to be posted, all delayed by family taking top spot, including a visit to North Somerset to meet my 82 year old half-brother for the first time (another story I have to post). Then there is the data about HIMOs and council tax exempt properties in the Borough of Broxtowe which is nearly ready. When I publish that map I really will retire from Beeston Week.