Films in focus for Boston's Alchemy Project

TWO more films

about life in Boston today and a new photography group for the town are two of

the latest items on the agenda of the groundbreaking Alchemy Project.

The Alchemy

Project was set up last year and is attempting to unravel the myths, misunderstandings

and prejudices associated with the cultural changes and challenges that Boston

and the surrounding area face.

Part of its busy

programme of events was a series of photography walks around the town, which

were led by Boston-based social artist Katie Smith last autumn.

The group proved

so popular with those who were taking part that they have decided to carry on

meeting, even though the official series of walks has ended.

"We met several

times. The group included representatives of the British and many Eastern

European communities and by the end many firm friendships had been made," said

Katie.

"The group

decided it wanted to carry on meeting, so John Shaw has taken over as

co-ordinator and now a full programme of walks once a month until the end of

the year is being planned.

"I feel this is a

really positive outcome and is just the kind of thing The Alchemy Project set

out to do."

The project aims

to complete a suite of four films and an over-arching documentary which will

reflect life in the town today. The first two films on how people view the town

today were completed last year.

The third film,

which is currently being edited, has employment as its theme and features

interviews with, among others, a local farmer. It aims to bust some of the myths

that exist surrounding migrant workers and their effect on the local economy.

The fourth film

has involved children at Butterwick Pinchbeck's Endowed C of E Primary School

in Pinchbeck. More than 60 children from Eastern European communities who live

in Boston attend the school.

The pupils have

been busy working with Lincoln-based Blueprint Films to make an animated film

on the theme of friendship and co-operation.

"This work has

been a real eye-opener and it's been great working with the children," said

David Lambert of cultural solutions UK, which is co-ordinating The Alchemy

Project.

"The children

have no concept of discrimination and have just got on and had fun, working and

learning together, which is just what The Alchemy Project is about.

"They have

created a wonderful film highlighting what can be achieved when everyone is

pulling in the same direction."

In addition,

writer Chris Konrath has been working with children at the Polish Saturday

School in Boston who have been producing creative writing about the

difficulties they face growing up between two cultures.

"The first phase

of the project is now coming to an end but we are hoping to carry on with some

of the work and are currently working out just how we will achieve that," said

Wes Shelbourne, general manager of JUST Lincolnshire, the county's human rights

organisation which came up with The Alchemy Project idea.

"We will be

sharing some of our work and discussing our future plans at a reflection event

later this month."

The Alchemy

Project was launched in April last year and was initially planned to run until

the end of this month.

It is funded by

the Community Development Foundation and other partners are Boston College,

Boston Borough Council, South Lincolnshire Council for Voluntary Service, the

Aegis Trust, Victim Support, Stop Hate UK and the Boston Community Safety

Partnership.