The Story of Splott launches appeal to help get its new community museum into people’s pockets.
The team behind a new Welsh mini museum telling the inspiring story of Splott, from its famous people to proud achievements, is launching a crowdfunding appeal.
Some 50 items telling ‘The Story of Splott in 50 Objects’, have been co-curated with the local community and organisers are now appealing for contributions of as little as £10 to cover the cost of printing and to provide free copies to local schoolchildren, senior citizens, and those who cannot afford a pack of their own.
Splott’s inspiring stories include the first black captain for Great Britain or a home nation in any sport, Clive Sullivan MBE, current Wales football manager Craig Bellamy (both grew up in Splott), as well as TV presenter John Humphrys. Former Prime Minister James Callaghan was a local MP and Splott once boasted an aerodrome that was an RAF base in World War 2. ‘The Imps’ cafe on Splott Road is reckoned to be one of the oldest ‘greasy spoon’ cafes in Wales and local traders Johnny Onion, the ‘Salt & Vinegar Man’ and the Tally Man roamed the streets selling their wares. There are many more local treasures to explore and enjoy in the mini museum collection.
The ‘pocket museum’ features 50 cards, each card celebrating a different person, place, or quirk of Splott’s story.
Celebrating one of Cardiff’s most cherished and famous communities, local people have collaborated to celebrate their heritage, character, and vibrant future. The museum further aims to serve as a teaching resource, promote alternative tourism, and inspire other local communities across Cardiff, Wales and the UK to co-create their own versions.
The museum has been curated with the Splott community through events ranging from a bus tour of the area on an historic bus made in Splott in the 1930’s, to bingo and quiz nights, visits to local schools, community groups and centres, online social media call outs, and by simply asking passers-by what they want to see in their museum.
Run by Splott Community Volunteers, local community news site Inksplott, and social enterprise Grow Social Capital, with the support of the Doc Media Centre and the Jo Cox Foundation’s More in Common campaign, the project is supported through Cardiff Council’s community cohesion programme, funded by the UK Government’s Shared Prosperity Fund.
“For residents of Splott and surrounding areas, those with an interest in Cardiff history, or anyone that likes to see people celebrating their stories and challenging negative narratives about where they live, this pocket museum is for you!”
said Lynne Thomas of Splott Community Volunteers.
“We invite everyone to discover the inspiring (and surprising) story of Splott through a new medium that has been co-created with the community. The unique collection of cards conveys our neighbourhood’s fascinating history in a creative and appealing way that helps us understand what makes Splott so special to so many people.”
Further details of how to support ‘The Story of Splott’ crowdfunder and how to obtain your own copy of the pocket museum can be found here.
If you would like to view the pocket museum, copies can be found at Splott Community Volunteers (back of the STAR Centre, Splott Rd (entry through the gates on Railway Street, opposite A1 Tyres).
