Rockaway Park

Welcome to Rockaway Park ,a joyful, DIY utopia tucked inside an old Somerset quarry. We've had lots of new followers in the last couple of weeks so wanted to make a post to explain in the best way possible who we are and what we do - Rockaway is always difficult to explain.  It's a place where art, community, rebellion, and kindness all come together in a weird but completely natural kind of way. We’re home to a vegan café, two music stages, artist studios, workshops, a community garden, a gallery, @thechapelofunrest , a rehearsal and recording space, and more sculptures, murals and oddities than we could ever count. People say it’s “Disneyland meets Scrapheap Challenge,” and honestly… we’ll take it. We’re halfway between Bristol, Bath and Glastonbury, but once you’re here it feels like its own little world, a place built by hand, held together by community, and fuelled by the belief that another way of living is absolutely possible. If you’re into art, music, vegan food, alternative thinking, or just wandering around somewhere that feels a bit magical and a bit anarchic, come visit. Bring a friend, bring your dog, bring your curiosity. There's normally hot food, drinks and there’s always something unexpected happening. Head to our bio if you'd like more info on what we do. Thanks for being here with us. All pictures by @rockawaymark

This year has been a strange one for us. We lost so many of our family and friends including Mark Ryan (Myth & Lore), he was a huge part of this team and this community and that really knocked us. It knocked our confidence, our energy, our sense of direction for a while and we are not pretending otherwise. The world feels heavy right now. A lot of it feels bleak and divided and it is easy to get stuck in that. But we still believe in hope. Not as a fluffy idea but as something you actively choose to do. For us that looks like getting people in rooms together. It looks like listening to each other, sharing ideas, sharing solutions, sharing some warmth and some creativity. It looks like building things like the Catalyst Club and festivals of ideas and spaces where people can actually meet and talk and feel like they matter. Because people do matter. And what people bring does matter. There is a lot of noise out there telling us we are insignificant or that we have nothing useful to offer. We do not believe that. We think most of the good stuff happens when people show up with their ideas, their questions, their weirdness, their care and their willingness to try. So this is partly us saying we are still here. We are finding our feet again. We are coming back to ourselves and to this work and to this community. And it is also us saying we do not want to do this on our own. If you have ideas, energy, curiosity, questions or just a sense that you would like to be involved in something that brings people together, we would love to hear from you. Tell us what you would like to see, what would feel helpful, what would feel meaningful - [email protected] This is a time of year that marks the return of the light, even when it is still cold and dark outside. That feels important to us right now. So we are lighting a small fire and inviting people to gather around it with us. Thank you for being here. Thank you for sticking with us through a difficult year. And thank you for whatever you bring next. All the best and see you soon Mark, Marta & everyone here at Rockaway Pictured is @rockawaymark 's secret Santa present from @kayedunnings

Well, what is there to say about this weekend other than thank you. Thank you to the hundreds of people who came, to the artists and exhibitors, to the musicians and to the Rockaway Crew who pulled an amazing event out of the bag again, ending the weekend with an incredible Q&A and film showing, with Ken Loach, hosted by Steve Lake. This wouldn't have been possible without Fran's persistence and the power of a hand written letter. (many people have asked how we got Ken to come.. well the answer is Fran wrote him an old fashioned letter and invited him) For even the shortest of events there's always the days or in this case weeks of build up getting things ready, building, painting, cooking, cleaning and organising as well as all the work on the days - all unseen and less than glamorous but essential. We'll need to think about how to top 2024 as they seem to be getting bigger and better every time. It seems most of us here didn't take many photos as we were so busy but feel free to post yours below or send them to us. This little selection of photos seems to capture some of the joy and magic of the event, photo credits to @motherskateparc , @mythandlorezine and the wonderful @pit_lad ... So much love and respect to everybody who helps keep this unlikely ship upright, and to everyone who comes here or supports us from afar.. We couldn't and wouldn't do it without you... Mark

DIY Culture Weekend — Commoners Choir x Rockaway Park Fri 26 – Sun 28 June Rockaway Park, Temple Cloud A full weekend of DIY culture: music, workshops, exhibitions, conversations, films and making things together with a mix of affordable and free activities. Protest songs, political printmaking, choirs, comics, banners, typewriters, culture jamming and shared skills across the whole site. Vegan hot food, cakes and drinks from the café all weekend. Family friendly. Well‑behaved dogs on leads welcome. Open studios + exhibitions running throughout. Tickets & more info including camping linked in bio. FRIDAY 26 JUNE 6pm — How to Homegrow a Radical Choir Tips, talk and some singing with Boff Whalley (Chumbawamba / Commoners Choir). A practical session on building community through song. 7pm — Jonny Hannah Poster‑Making Workshop Create your own protest banner with illustrator and artist Jonny Hannah. SATURDAY 27 JUNE 1pm — ‘Speak Up’ Exhibition Opening + DIY Culture Discussion — Free Political posters and prints by international artists. Discussion featuring: Jonny Hannah / Rickard Sisters / Marta (Rockaway) / Phil Wrigglesworth / Boff Whalley 2pm — Pop‑Up Choir Workshop Learn a new song to perform with Commoners Choir. No experience needed. 4pm — Workshops Choose between: • Comic Making with the Rickard Sisters • Sociable Media Session with Josh Sutton (typewriters, letter writing, badge‑making) 6pm — Evening Concert Live music from: Carol Hodge / Acts of Resistance (Steve Lake) / Commoners Choir / Jonny Hannah (DJ set) SUNDAY 28 JUNE 11am — Radical History Walk A guided walk exploring local radical history and stories connected to the area. 3pm — DIY Film Show Films on culture jamming, subvertising and DIY media, including work by Negativland. Commoners Choir are a radical, joyful, defiantly DIY singing gang from Leeds, more like a band than a choir. They write and perform their own songs about the world around us: inequality, hope, protest, community and the everyday politics of life. Open, inclusive and proudly non‑audition

Tomorrow at 1pm for the un-private opening, all welcome! MAY 16-27 ROCKAWAY PARK / BS39 5BU "THE RIGHT TO PROTEST EXHIBITION IS A CALL TO ARMS TO ALL ARTISTS, DESIGNERS, AND CITIZENS. IT'S TIME TO GIVE A SHIT ABOUT WHAT'S HAPPENING IN THE WORLD. IT'S TIME TO USE WHATEVER TOOLS YOU POSSESS IN DEFENCE OF CARE AND FREEDOM." Featuring iconic posters from two of the largest private collections in the UK, and new works by influential designers and artists, the exhibition reveals how the visual arts have supported and inspired protest. "With a collection dating back to the 1960s, the Museum of UnRest is displaying it's archive of iconic screen-printed posters, marking the struggle against climate breakdown, the cost of living crisis, housing shortage, and more." Sudi Jama, It's Nice That.

@rockaway_park We are journeying down in June for an action packed weekend of exhibition, chat, song, art all celebrating the theme of DIY. Guest arts galore…@rickrardsisters @carolxhodge plus many more…. !!@boffwhalley Keep yr eyes peeled as info is revealed in the next week. #diy #newmusic #community #chapelofunrest #crass

Beans on Toast & Friends at Rockaway Park, Bristol Join us for a day of music, art, poetry, food, friendship and celebration. Beans will play two sets alongside @barejams @razzomo @nualasmusic @bassiegracie @dejavu.folk Twenty quid! No booking fee. No messing. Get involved. Get your tickets at @beans.on.toast

MAY CATALYST CLUB Sunday 24th May - 4pm running till 7pm ish Roast dinner optional at 3pm ahead of speakers at 4pm. Tickets & Roasts 👇🏼 /forsale-0gb51/p/may-catalyst-club-1-ydkd2-easfd Speakers Cat from Bristol’s Radical Roasters on ‘all about coffee’. Cat is a Great Taste Award judge and seasoned coffee professional! @radicalroastersuk Mike Manson, a Bristol based writer and historian on ‘Smelly Old Town - the stink of the city’. Of all of the senses smell is the most neglected, says Mike. @mansonmike Leonie Bradley, artist and editor on ‘Hide and Seek @leonie_bradley Don’t miss our monthly night of ideas, laughter and connection. At the heart of the Catalyst Club is a simple idea: passionate people sharing the things they love. Each speaker gets 15 minutes to dive into a topic that lights them up, inspired by the spirit of old French salons, debating societies and gentleman’s clubs. Niche, quirky, surprising… the subject doesn’t matter. The courage to share it does. You bring the passion, we give you the stage. Fancy speaking at a future Catalyst Club? We’d love to hear from you. If you’ve got a topic you’re burning to share, no matter how unusual, drop us a line at [email protected]

🌱💚NEW SPECIALS💚🌱 We're back again this week with four lovely new plant-based specials 😍 and some funky bits too! The cafe is open all week as usual with brunch, lunch, sweets & savouries on offer 🥰

Our next Sunday Session is the 31st of May Sunday Vegan Roasts from @rockaway_myk Yoga and Roast Club with @movewithmadd Open studios Alternative arts market Children's drop in mental health with @normalmagic_uk Roasts and yoga must be pre-booked, links in bio 😊

Don't forget to book your Sunday Roast dinner before 7pm tonight! Book here 👇🏼 /forsale-0gb51/p/vegan-sunday-roast-250126-4ygx3-xyswy-fxfzr See you soon!

#amazingflowarts Full Video available on our YouTube! Part of our danger show "Couples Of Blades" is available to book now! Either as a solo ( audience participation ) or duo! ✨🎪 featuring @bellastanyer Filmed by @doddssy Edited by @paparazzipixiepro Location @rockaway_park . . .. ... ..... ........ ............. @amazing_flow_arts @juggling.oddballs #sideshow #circuslife #goals #booknow