NEWTON — One person can make a difference. A small dedicated group of people can make a big change in a neighbourhood. Positive growth and enhancement — making a better safer place to live, work and play. A UK documentary film company is making a series called "The Secret of Change" (See Owlpb.org/the-secret-of-change for some details).
This series follows a journey of discovery, exploring communities along the West Coast of North America that are involved in grassroots change. They will be filming in The Grove on Saturday, July 18. One of the themes of the documentary is how groups like the Friends of The Grove (in the Newton neighborhood) serve to build connections in communities so that people can share ideas, collaborate and grow their resilience.
You do not need to be involved in the Friends of the Grove to be involved in this filming. If you are passionate about seeing or creating positive social and environmental change here in Surrey, and want to connect with others, then these events are for you! One person can make a difference. Here is your opportunity.
Organizer David Dalley, one of the founders and inspiration for Friends of the Grove, has a list of some possible activities that could be done on the filming day:
Vox Pop station: At the vox pop station participants will pick a question out of a box and hand it to one of the organizers (Chris or Zoe), who will then ask them the question for them to answer on camera.
Hidden Bottles: Bottles will be hidden around the grove with a note inside. On the note will be an invite to come and ask us questions about the Grove and what is happening in the Grove.
Film it yourself: This is where we give children (or adults) the chance to take a camera for five minutes and do some of their own filming. It could be a place in the grove that they really like, people doing something interesting, a skill they have (like a handstand, etc.), or that they just want to have a play and be creative.
There will be set up and location filming in the morning, so if you want to bring anything that requires set-up, please plan to come early, this Saturday from 1 to 3 p.m.; contact David at 778-988-3549.
Haven't heard about Friends of the Grove? From a concept to make The Grove — a small stand of large trees adjacent to Newton wave pool — a safer and usable community space, the Friends have worked tirelessly and without government funding to improve and protect the area. Concerts, painting days and poets have all been part of The Grove's development. There is now a piano for anyone to play — please help keep it safe and sheltered.
Parm's "Room to Draw" community drawing program is attracting new neighbours. You don't need to be an artist to participate. The next gathering is July 18.
And The Grove is gaining some interest in putting up a Little Free Library in the Grove.
Also on July 18, there will be a planning meeting in Newton Recreation Centre, from 6 to 8 p.m. The purpose of this meeting is to discuss processes and priorities for using its grant money. If you would like to become more involved in the “inner workings†of the Friends of The Grove, this is a good meeting to be at. All are welcome to come and participate or observe.
The “Cedar Bark Poets†is a community-led poetry group that has been filling The Grove with creative verse. The group meets every second Saturday from 6 to 8 p.m. in the Newton Recreation Centre to share and discuss poetry. The gathering is held outside in The Grove if the weather is nice. All are welcome. Bring poems and ideas if you like or just come to listen.
Surrey has a policy to help expand the "creative economies." They could learn a lot from the Friends of the Grove. This grassroots group has promoted and encouraged local talents, and has helped enormously in making Newton a great neighborhood. Of course, there is still work to be done. One person can make a difference. That one person could be you.