Back at the end of May(!) the well-known design family, The Hemingways, popped over to Totland for their first meeting with local people to present ideas of what could be done with the Totland Rec, and to exchange ideas with some Island artists.
We grabbed dear Wayne to shoot a little video about it all.
In it, we covered quite a few subjects (including how Wayne Hemingway, Esq was to DJ at Bestival).
Wayne explained the background on how they became involved with the Totland Rec project and their history of cycling holidays on the Isle of Wight.
It’s great to see how enthused he is about the approaches that he had from local artists and that he can see why the Isle of Wight is special and attracts artistic people.
Not standard
It’s clear that the Rec isn’t going to be your common-or-garden place – thank goodness.
As Wayne explained, “There won’t be any off the shelf solutions here. We don’t want to go to some play equipment producer in Kettering, just because the council thinks that it’s safe play equipment.”
Instead they’ll be working with the community and local artists, “Doing something that feel natural, that kids themselves have an input into and that challenges them.”
He’s not alone in thinking that children are too coseted these days. He describes the elements for the children as not being too safe, but, “where they might get a splinter, or where they might fall off and hurt their leg – at least they’re learning about free play.”
No to Battery kids
“With a lot of the stuff that’s being done for kids and play, we’re creating battery kids, rather than free range kids.”
Everyone welcome to use it
Wayne was keen to point out that while they’re important, it’s not all about the children, “It’s not just for kids. There’s places where adults can play their sport.”
There will also be sitooteries where residents of Totland and visitors can sit, enjoy some food and the social aspects of being with others.
Shared allotments are also in the plan – not only that, but food grown there can be shared, exchanged or sold at a monthly mini-market.
Get yourself involved
There’s still time for everyone to get involved with shaping how this area will develop. Anyone from the Island who have positive ideas and contributions is welcome.
