Somerstown Community Engagement Shortlisted for Prestigious National Award

A joint team comprising Portsmouth City Council staff and London-based Karakusevic Carson Architects, have been recognized for their community engagement and communications work throughout the deconstruction of the Somerstown tower blocks. The Public Sector Transformation Awards, noted as ‘ an opportunity to celebrate and share the most innovative practice in transforming local public services’ are…

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A resident adding illustrations to The Forest of Somerstown

Add your handprint to The Forest of Somerstown

ANYBODY with a Somerstown connection, past or present, is invited to add their handprint to the Forest of Somerstown community art project on Saturday 27 November. Free cake, free hot drinks, a DJ and free winter wreath-making craft, for adults and children, will be on offer at the public open drop-in session, on the corner…

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Proud Somerstown grandma hails Somerstown street gallery

A Somerstown grandma has spoken of her pride at watching her granddaughter launch ambitious city centre community art project Somerstown Street Gallery with a stunning 30m Somerstown-themed mural. Skyla’s masterpiece will now be followed with artwork by local street artists, school children, charities, youth clubs, professionals and amateurs who will help decorate the site boundary…

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Artist Skyla Swan alongisde her Somerstown-themed mural

Somerstown artist begins work on mural at Horatia House

A SOMERSTOWN artist is painting an impressive Somerstown-themed 30-metre mural on the site boundary hoardings surrounding a tower block Portsmouth City Council is bringing down. Skyla Swan, a computer animation student at the University of Portsmouth, grew up yards from the Horatia House site. Skyla has designed a mural that celebrates her local area and…

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Storyteller at the Play & Plants event

VIDEO AND PICTURE SPECIAL – Somerstown kids dream of a bright new future for their neighbourhood

SPACE hopper races, den building workshops, storytellers and plant potting, in Portsmouth streets closed to traffic, allowed Somerstown kids to get involved with planning for their new neighbourhood. Hundreds of Somerstown people took part in a free ‘Play and Plants’ community engagement session hosted by Portsmouth City Council in Melbourne Place and Atherstone Walk as…

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