On Sunday 7 September, Barnsley Civic will host its first-ever Garden Gathering in Mandela Gardens – and the event will be the official launch of Barnsley’s brand-new local radio station, Barnsley’s Essentials (powered by Barnsley Civic).
The free event will run from 11am to 2pm and will kick off Barnsley Civic’s Autumn/Winter season with a lively mix of activities, including:
- Live music and entertainment
- Street performers and lawn games
- Creative crafts for all ages
The day will also feature the unveiling of a new series of banners by artist Cj Reay of Black Lodge Press, alongside community artworks inspired by Freedom Road by Simon Armitage. Local organisations will host information stands, and Barnsley’s Essentials will be broadcasting directly from the event.
The Garden Gathering forms part of ‘Our Freedom: Then and Now’, a UK-wide, locally-led arts programme producing 60 new works exploring what ‘Our Freedom’ means to communities, commemorating the 80th anniversary of VE/VJ Day.
In partnership with Creative Recovery, Barnsley Food Bank and Honeywell Good Food Pantry, the event will also include a food bank collection, with visitors encouraged to bring donations.
‘Our Freedom: Then and Now’ is supported by the UK Government through Arts Council England and delivered in partnership with Libraries Connected.
