CCHA first in Wales to be awarded London 2012 Games Inspire mark

Cardiff Community Housing Association is thrilled to announce that it has been awarded the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games Inspire Mark for its art and media project at Loudoun Square.

CCHA is the first housing association in Wales to receive the Inspire mark which recognises projects which involve the local community and celebrate local history, culture and diversity. Butetown is one of the most diverse and culturally rich communities in the UK and is home to over 46 different nationalities, but it is also one of the most deprived wards in Wales.

The Association's project aims to engage with the local community and encourage then to produce art and film work which celebrates the rich history and cultural diversity of the area.

It centres around the development of the Tiger Bay Film, Media and Culture Centre which is due to open in Loudoun Square in March 2012 and is part of a major £13m redevelopment of the area.

The project includes a number of artist-led activities including:

• A photography project based on the high rise flats of Loudoun and Nelson House aimed at capturing residents' thoughts and views from their windows;
• Engaging local people in the production of a film about their local heroes;
• A local film festival showing archive and recent film about Butetown;
• A literacy project with three local primary schools to develop poems and songs about their local community.

In addition to encompassing the Olympic values of uniting people from different cultures, this approach will also result in the community creating work that can be housed within the new Culture Centre.

CCHA also intend to invite the local community to the Centre to celebrate the official opening of the London 2012 Games with a big party and a screening of the event.

Sue Anscombe, CCHA’s Community and Regeneration Manager, urges local people to support the initiative: "Our project offers something for everyone and will enable people to contribute to creating permanent artwork and films, attend events to celebrate local history and join us to celebrate the opening of the London 2012 Games."

Gwyn L Williams, Creative Programmer for Wales for the London 2012 Games, said: "The plans of the Loudoun Square project to celebrate the London 2012 Olympic Games are a tremendous manifestation of the cultural richness of Cardiff Bay. I look forward to this particular project with great enthusiasm."

Seb Coe, Chair of the London Organising Committee of the Olympic Games and Paralympic Games declared: "We want to use the power of the Games to inspire change. The Inspire programme is recognising the work our partners all round the UK are doing to help us achieve this vision now – one year away from the start of the Games. I congratulate everyone involved in CCHA’s art and media project for securing the Inspire mark and wish you every success with your work."