Why A Grassroots Cultural Space Matters for Woking
During a recent work experience placement, local resident and aspiring musician Famke spent time behind the scenes at The Fiery Bird and Phoenix Cultural Centre. Experiencing the venue from this perspective offered insight into both the challenges and the potential of grassroots cultural spaces in Woking. The reflection shares her personal observations on community, creativity, and why spaces like ours deserve greater awareness and support.
My name is Famke and as a resident of Woking and part time aspiring musician, my interaction with the Fiery Bird music venue is not as limited as most, encouraging my work experience, which has been varied and thought-provoking.
Overall, I have gained awareness: of its competency as a grassroots music venue as well as a cultural centre and therefore have come to face one of the core challenges the centre wrestles with; lack thereof. Whether this be due to unsuccessful marketing, ignorance, or apathy- the final being a great disappointment to me as a local and a young person-it is a definite shame.
In the interest of investigating each hindrance one by one, I will start with marketing. As is obvious, marketing requires money of which there is not an abundance and typically must go to the actual business, which is classed as a community interest company (a company wherein the profit is used in interest of the community) and one that acts as a charity, limiting economy. Secondly, even with successful marketing, people underestimate the services and choose to travel to better known music venues or cultural hubs, perhaps pointing to a general lack of faith in cultural activity in Woking- though not unfounded, these preconceived notions do not act in favour of marketing, which does not allow the business to thrive for the benefit of the community. Clearly, we must be more open as a town and as consumers of culture, bringing me to my second issue: ignorance.
Through a few faults of our own, we may not be awake to services of the Phoenix Cultural Centre in terms of not being able to relate. Speaking personally as a member of the prevailing middle class in Woking, it is easy to not think about that which I do not need, especially when the focus of the council is often relative to those like me. The Phoenix Cultural Centre has space for important work for groups such as Halow, that represent minorities. Therefore, it may be simple to disconnect from defining the cultural centre as it truly is: for all. Furthermore, as a community run service, it gains potential in recognition, offering a third space especially for young people who are starved of un-affiliated social places- my point being that ignorance harms its ability to have an impact, and awareness of its inclusivity and aim benefits all of us.
Finally, Woking has faced numerous communal issues that have discouraged a true sense of community that is required for cultural flourishing. Faith is a necessity, and apathy is poisonous to all, especially youth with interest in the arts who require encouragement locally to grow. Large problems such as the bankruptcy of Woking Borough Council overshadows other needs, influencing people to discount issues on their definitions of severity, forgetting the value and necessity of community led spaces. In the best interest of the residents, this apathy should not go on much longer lest it begins to harm opportunity.
In conclusion, awareness of how the community can help and nurture itself is key, and during my work experience I have seen examples of it in practise: groups meeting in the centre, open mics, volunteers updating the space. I have felt grounded in seeing the efforts of others and how the efforts enable joint growth and now further recognise the importance of the Fiery Bird and Phoenix Cultural Centre. I would like to encourage people to look into its impact and in that find its potential, like I have.
We are always grateful to hear feedback and reflections from members of our community, especially young people shaping the future of Woking’s cultural life. If this piece resonates with you, or sparks ideas of your own then we warmly invite you to continue the conversation.
Community spaces thrive when voices of all generations are heard.