A week in the life of Trinity

With 40,000 coming through the doors every year, many Bristolians are familiar with The Trinity Centre - a converted church-cum-community arts centre at the top of Old Market high street

In the words of one online reviewer, “Trinity is very much a part of Bristolian culture, and is typical of the values and aspirations of many of the creative types that live here...with a multi-purpose remit, the programme is pretty varied.”

Sunday began in the garden with a Foraging Walk - part of the Bristol 2015 funded Grow it, Cook it, Eat it! Project - led by Project Coordinator Helen. Foragers explored the garden and surrounding for natural edibles, before heading back to eat seasonal foraged salad washed down with elderflower cordial. Foragers commented; "it inspired me to be more self sustaining" and that it was "a great way to feel out of the city just walking round the corner".

What followed was “A Showcase of Physical Theatre” from Attack! Pro Wrestling - perhaps one of Trinity's more unusual activities, As Alex, Trinity's Assistant Bar Manager said; “No two events are alike - you go from having a wrestling ring in the middle of the hall, to having a sound-system stack - it keeps you on your toes!”

Upstairs, saw the staging of Current Location - a performance set in the aftermath of the 2011 Fukushima nuclear disaster, presented by Fellswoop Theatre. Bristol Evening Post describe the company as, “one of the most exciting companies to come out of the South West”. Reviewer Claire Haynes (The Public Reviews) thinks that, while the performance still has areas for development before presenting at this year's Edinburgh festival in August, it “unquestionably it has the potential to create a truly haunting and unforgettable production.”

This is one of the key purposes of Trinity - a space for incubation and to test and develop work. It is these raw performances that make Trinity an exciting arts development space - as Mayfest recently tweeted, “A salute to @TrinityBristol for always being generous, clear, good at listening, and genuinely committed to community. A force for good.”

Monday activities in the garden continued, with an Outdoor Adventure Youth Group in the afternoon, led by the Trinity Community Garden. Young people aged 12-18 learnt about bush-craft, fire-lighting, foraging, food growing and wild-cooking.

As well as gardening activities, Youth Music Training also took place throughout the week. Training team, Al, Ed, Josh and Pete, led by Coordinator Dave, work with over 60 young people each year across a range of sessions. They provide both 121 and group sessions for young people from a range of challenging circumstances. The team have also been working with the Teenage Cancer Trust (TCT), to provide music sessions remotely to young people receiving treatment at Bristol Children's Hospital. Speaking about a recent session, TCT Youth Support Co-ordinator said; "We all loved the last workshop, it was fantastic, Dave and Al were both brilliant with the young people, and engagement was brilliant - I think pretty much everyone on the Unit had a go at something!” 

Often known for its activities for young people, Trinity also has an expanding programme of activities for older people. The growing Gentle Dance group is testimony to this. Initially started as a Link Age funded project in 2012, the small group of six regulars kept the group going after funding stopped and it now attracts up to 30 people over 55s each week.

Dedicated volunteer dance instructor Barry Shields leads the group each week though music across the decades, including a range of ballroom, salsa and club style social dancing. Regular dancer Jean said, “its a nice crowd of people and I've made good friends since I've joined the group.”

Upstairs Liz Clarke began her rehearsals in run up to workshops and live-performance in July - Cannonballista - giving the audience an opportunity to explore their inner superhero.

In the evening the venue was taken over by the rhythmic beats of Bristol Samba drummers and dancers rehearsals. Anyone who has been to the annual St Werburgh's Farm Fair or St Paul's Carnival will be familiar with the vibrating volume of this stalwart of Bristol community events. The group see Trinity as their home, having rehearsed at the venue for well over 10 years.

The garden keeps on going on Tuesday, with Gardening for Health - a weekly session, free for anyone wanting to benefit their physical and mental well-being. People learnt how to grow different herbs and enjoyed seasonal jobs in the garden, cooking and eating what had been grown from previous sessions.

There was also a lot of excitement about the live performance of Ariel Pink, LA singer-songwriter, multi-instrumentalist & producer, programmed at Trinity by Bristol music venue giant Colston Hall - a first collaboration of the two venues, with possibilities of future gigs to follow.

On Wednesday, Fareshare - a local charity that combats poverty and food waste - took advantage of the sunny garden to hold a volunteer barbecue: “We had a really really lovely time, Trinity's garden is beautiful and all of the staff were really helpful. We can't wait to come back again!”

New Youth Bloco Samba project rehearsed outside in the glorious sunshine while inside, the Main Hall was filled with Hype Dance energy – one of Bristol's finest urban dance groups, competing regularly at national level and recently winning over 15 dance trophies at Dance Camp Disney‬ Paris. Tasha Benjamin is the most committed dance instructor and her dedication rubs off on her 60 strong troupe, from age five up to 19+ rehearsing each week. Young dancer Leanna said; “Trinity is, like, a place for the whole dance group - it holds us up and it's where we can do what we do.”

Alongside Youth Music Training, the building came alive on Thursday with City of Bristol College rehearsals and performance. Josh Cooper, leading his BTEC Performing Arts students, said, “through the provision of subsidized performance space for our end of term college performances we have been able to allow our students to perform in a new and vibrant venue, giving them invaluable experience as they develop their professional performing skills.”

Garden Coordinator Anita led people round the garden for her Herbal Sessions, teaching how to grow different herbs, their medicinal benefits. The group said they had a great time walking around the "beautiful abundant location" and that the course was, "open and accessible” allowing people to “touch, eat and learn directly from nature". Also, as part of Bristol's Big Green Week 2015, Bristol based firm gcp Chartered Architects, hosted PassivHaus Thursday - a free exhibition and conference about environmental standards and sustainability for new construction and building refurbishments.

The sun was shining and visitors Selina and Helen from the Ludlow Assembly Rooms got to see first hand how the building comes alive with an array of different activities and people. The pair were paying a visit to discuss their plans to develop their venue and were inspired by the variety, stating, “it's been a great form of motivation for us.”

The garden team ran Little Green Warriors Stay & Play sessions on Friday. Parents, carers and their preschoolers came together to share their lunch and enjoy sensory activities, seasonal art, nature play and the urban outdoors in the beautiful community garden.

Music Sessions were in full swing with Josh, Music Tutor, delivering 121 sessions for young people excluded or at risk of being excluded from school. Pupils from the Oasis Academy and Include come throughout the day to learn how to use music software, produce music and master the drums.

Saturday saw the marriage of Mel and Andy. In its heyday as a parish church, Trinity was the go-to church for all weddings. With a new licence for civil ceremonies, Trinity is re-emerging as a popular Bristol wedding venue for people wanting a unique, DIY experience.

This is just one small glimpse into the life of Trinity. It is a snapshot of a cosmopolitan community and it shows that, while a building can be great, it is nothing without the people who bring it to life.