The Future Vision
To us, it seems that as well as being extremely important to improve the quality of life in low-income urban areas, it is equally important to offer people a chance to experience other environments, other people’s ways of living, and new ways of learning. That is why we want to create a special place designed to inspire people of all ages, from both rural and urban communities, a place with excellent facilities and a unique character, safe and comfortable but with room to roam and support to take on new challenges.
Events, Meetings & Celebrations
Once the Imayla Centre is up and running it will provide a venue for all sorts of one-off arts events, meetings and celebrations. These will be hosted by Imayla, or offered in partnership with other arts or environmental groups. Alternatively you could hire the centre and its facilities to run an event or meeting of your own.
Seasonal Programme
Here’s a flavour of the kinds of activities you might experience when the Imayla Centre is up and running...
In spring you might explore culturally diverse celebrations of the land, help plant new crops, lay a hedge or explore the significance of plants and food from around the world. There might also be a special dance exchange with forms as various as maypole, hip hop and Bollywood as well as the usual opportunities to learn a new skill such as sound recording or film making.
In summer you’ll want to join in one of our Intercultural Camps perhaps staying in a tee pee or yurt, participating in a massive range of music, dance, movement, storytelling and craft workshops and meeting participants and teachers from all over the globe.
In autumn there will be culturally diverse celebrations such as Diwali with workshops culminating in dance performances, light and fire processions, feasting, fireworks and lots of noise. You might go on a night walk and learn to navigate by the stars, or build a sweat lodge and do a yoga class.
And in winter Imayla reflects on the past and looks forward to the future with special taster opportunities, showcases and exhibitions as well as the usual mix of dance, music, film and environmental workshops.
Help Us Find a Site
We are in the process of looking for a site with the following characteristics preferably (but not exclusively) in the following areas of Somerset and Devon: Exmoor National Park, The Quantocks AONB (Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty), The Blackdown Hills AONB or North Devon AONB.
The broad priorities for the site are:
- fairly remote yet appealing location
- attractive to tourists with other attractions within 30/40 min drive
- potential for business viability
- good access for disabled people
- sole use of adjacent land including flat areas with good access (5-10 acres)
- access to surrounding land (60-200 acres)
- potential for camping and good provision for parking
- favourable local planning policy
- access to varied landscape, eg woodland, river, moor, hills, beach
- potential for a mix of small and homely spaces with large open plan, light airy, flexible spaces
- Potential for a mix of basic and high quality ensuite accommodation
If you know of a property that needs a use and might be suitable them please get in touch.