At our breakfast meeting on 21 May, we welcomed Jenny Muncaster as our guest. While we were reduced in number – the upcoming Bank Holiday weekend? – the meeting turned out to be both fun and interesting. As well as our speaker Jenny, we also welcomed Rotarian Larry Jackson, of the Rotary Club of La Grange, Texas – on holiday in the UK and spending three days in Winchester, following a stay in Scotland, tracing his ancestral roots. He explained that his great grandfather was born in Scotland and emigrated to the USA.
Brief updates on club events – the sponsored walk on 1 June, Presidents Lunch on 7 June – Robert Parsons also drew our attention to the Boaz Community open day on Saturday 24 May.
Jenny then spoke to us about The Colour Factory – perhaps best known for the colourful street bollards in The Square! It is a not for profit organisation, which began in 1994 and occupies the former parkkeepers’ lodge near the former River Park Leisure Centre. Workshops, art courses and classes are offered, and several well-known pieces of street art have been created under their organisation.
Several of The Colour Factory initiatives have been “exported” – with interest from around the UK – most recently from Stratford upon Avon, where the town council is planning decorated street bollards.
All in all, a fascinating glimpse into the history and future plans of what has become a local institution. Thank you Jenny, for a lively and entertaining presentation.
