PolyRhythm was lucky enough to have been asked to help support the community and cultural events in St Austell Town centre this year, Tresorys. Tresorys Kernow (Cornish Treasures) is a pilot project to breathe new life into towns and villages, with culture and heritage bringing some joy in the context of Covid recovery and climate adaptation. This project was fully funded by the UK Government through the UK Community Renewal Fund with Cornwall Museums Partnership (CMP) and Creative Kernow shared out through Cornwall Council, to bolster and regenerate towns and villages and we were proud to be part of it. A big part of PolyRhythm is to bring people together, to support our community and our High Streets so this was right up our street, so to say. We also have a desire to do more in St Austell and this could be a great way for us to start this going. Working with the famous Shelia Vanloo who made it all work so well and brought so much energy to the town, it opened our eyes as to what could be in the future. If this was a pilot project then we want to be part of the larger project, we want to return and we came away with the demands from the community to return. Colin Stuckey who came into Town to join in for the day has taken time to write a little on his experience of the day. Sat 18. June What a day... I felt privileged to be invited along to join in as part of this exciting happening. Polyrhythm were booked to create a pop up event at the old Eden Cafe St.Austell, and replicate the Bodmin HQ with a comprehensive range of musical instrument stock to pick up and play, then to play a live performance in the square outside as part of the ongoing Tresorys events. Old Eden Cafe was chokka, everything from a child-size guitar to a full blown slide trombone (sorry about the pun), and a myriad of other instruments all handsomely laid out on display for everyone to pick up and have a go. Very soon there was a lively scene inside with people milling around and a mild cacophony of sound as visitors tried out this and that. Amid this good atmosphere, I hastily tuned up my guitar, eager to play and support our jolly little band. Soon enough we had the word to decamp and move outside. This I was looking forward to...What could be better than playing the universal language of music with a group of friends under the warm sun? We all spilled outside, and Freddie was ready with his camera to capture it all. Collette and Helen’s vocal harmonies were ringing out splendidly with Paul adding his baritone, then his cool rendition of U2’s “Still Haven’t Found”. Backing them were myself and Alex on lead and rhythm guitars, Sam slapping on bass, and Tom’s steady beat on the drums. Beside me Paul2 beat out a tireless tattoo on bongos. All under the watchful eye of Garry as he managed the sound on the solar powered PA system responsible for energising our mics and guitars, and then later sharing bass guitar duties. As the good people of St.Austell gathered, many gave up a moment of their day to join the fun by shaking tambourines and maracas as their children hesitantly inched further towards the pyramid of junior guitars. Garry was on hand again to pass them out, and then replenish from the seemingly unlimited collection from indoors. We were joined by musicians known to the others who dropped by, I especially enjoyed playing along with a chap in a rendition of Jimi Hendrix’s “hey Joe” and “Little Wing” with Collette earlier before. Paul, Helen and Collette took turns leading the songs, and our audience of shoppers sat a while to listen and shake or rattle anything percussive on display. Everybody appeared to be enjoying themselves as much as we were. When Sam left his post to help load up near the end of time, a chap from the audience filled in for him and played a blinder. That’s what Polyrhythm is all about. Come in, join in, and have fun.
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