Dominique here. Today we began the second phase of our ‘Red’ project which will be taking place in Bury and Chorley. During our residency in the St. John’s Centre in Preston we aimed to encourage at least one person everyday to get dressed entirely in red and walk a set route around the city centre and stop for a coffee on the way. The project ended with a large group of people dressed in red walking the same route single file. In Bury and Chorley the project will be slightly different. The challenge is to gather as many people as possible in both market towns over the next 4 weeks to take part in a ‘Red Day Out’ where the people of each town are invited to visit the 2 seperate locations together as one group. A guided tour of each town will take lace and the performance will be videoed and photographed as documentation of the event.
We left at 7:30am to head to Bury with the aim of getting parked up and meeting Craig Allen, the manager of Bury’s famous market, at 8:30am in the market offices. Needless to say, we got stuck in traffic, couldn’t find the recommended car park, and when eventually we did, the ticket machine next to the car was broken so I made haste to the only other ticket machine which was of course miles away. The wind was blowing and the rain heavy and horizontal. Freezing cold and just about managing to carry all our equipment, we stuggled forward with our heads down and hair blowing in our faces to meet Craig. Despite all the hurdles we were only 10 minutes late.
Against all adversity, our first has been a success. We are situated in the centre of the market, outside of the fish and meat hall and right in the middle of all the activity. An excellent location with an endless steam of people passing by and taking interest in why we’re dressed in red. We have already recruited two gentlemen named Andrew and David Ballard, brothers, who were extremely enthusiastic about getting involved. They stayed quite as we discussed what would be happening on the day. Another man named Maurice, an artist himself, offered to paint my portrait for £2 and an interesting one it was. We are back in Bury on Friday and are hoping the sun will be shining for us.
The weather on Saturday morning couldn’t have been any worse but our event went ahead and despite the torrential rain, we had an excellent turn out. Everyone turned up prompt and the shop was thoroughly chaotic with hats of all sizes and styles being pulled from one head to the other. Scalves were in great demand and we only just had enough accessories to satisfy everybodies enthusiasm and creativity. The pound shop had lots of red umbrellas set to one side for us but we didn’t need them as the rain stopped minutes before we set off. Hooray!!
The 24 people dressed in red set off on the walk and together all walking single file, we stretched almost the full length of the market and Fishergate. We created such an impact that as we walked along, people stopped and stared in disbelief, took photographs, smiled and laughed, and one lady even joined the tail end of the walk and joked about her bum looking big on the video. We all sat at Mr Cappuccino and watched the people on the square watching us. Everyone chatted and laughed and shared the unique experience. It seems that a great time was enjoyed by all.
Thanks to everyone who came along as it made it spectacular, and thanks to Elaine, Phillippa, Charles and our lovely volunteers who were brilliant and Kevin for doing the video. We both really enjoyed every minute of working in the St John’s Centre and we start Bury on the 19th August after a well deserved rest!
Hello again, for my second post of the day! Not a long one though, as we have lots of dying/painting things red and washing and ironing to do in preparation for the grand finale tomorrow!
Today, three lovely ladies kindly gave up their dinner hour and called into our shop to get dressed up. Libby, Stephanie and Anne-marie all came bouncing in one after the other and as time was an issue, all needing to be back at work at 2, they spent no time deliberating over their outfits and grabbed what was available(if only everyone was as easy). Looking fabulous, we we’re out of the shop in no time at all and on a shortened version of the walk….directly to Mr Cappuccino for one of his delicious, full to the brim and totally boiling hot cups of coffee. I had it in my hand for 3 seconds only before spilling it all over both mine and Libby’s knee. Liz, a work mate of Libby’s, didn’t get dressed up in red but came along for the walk and took some photographs of us all together which was very good of her, then dashed off to the cash point before heading back to work.
Tomorrow at 12 o clock midday, the event will begin to take place as everyone who has done the walk, some who haven’t and anyone else that wants to participate, will all arrive at our red shop to take part in our en masse red walk. Its going to be a bit of a free for all with the red clothes and hopefully some people will already be dressed in red when they arrive. We hope that the weather will be kind to us but we have plenty of red umrellas at the ready if it decides to rain. We shall keep our fingers crossed and look forward to making it a brilliant success!
Dominique here today. Didn’t blog last night as it was a manic busy day and when i got home i was absolutely exhausted. I put all the red washing in(my normal washing is almost touching the ceiling) and then collapsed with a glass of dry white wine. The rest is history.
Yesterday was our launch. It went really well and lots of people came along to see our work and hear us talk about the project. Elaine, Phillippa, Kathryn, Katrina, Gemma, Jenna and Adele all got dressed up in red for the occasion and all looked stunning. Security patrolled the centre looking the picture of authority in there red straw hats. Even the pound shop and thorntons got into the spirit of the project and added red accessories to their uniform! All in all, it was a great success, and a brillliant turn out.
In the afternoon we dressed up three gorgeous girls in red and what a performance! Hazel, Margaret an Margaret had real fun in their outfits as the chuckled and howled all the way round the walk. They had all the accessories on and really went to town and thoroughly enjoyed the experience! We have alot on today and as getting picked up in 10 minutes i’d better dry my hair and get some makeup on!
Teresa here and I’ve just spent an age trying to sort my computer out and get Internet access. So, will be quick as I’ve not eaten yet and its now 8.30pm. Jake and Max, my lovely twin grandsons came to do the walk today as they can’t come on Saturday. We had a few histrionics from Jake regarding his red trousers which didn’t quite meet his approval. Otherwise all went well and we generated quite a bit of attention – Dom’s rather large and thoroughly magnificent hat and the gorgeous boys I think. Tomorrow’s the launch and we’re looking forward to seeing everyone. I’m finally going to get to wear the pride of place, red velvet creation which I’ve been secretly saving for a special occasion. Well tomorrow’s the day, so hey ho let’s hope it all goes well (and it still fits?).
