Brief
Barnet London Borough Council approached We Are Placemaking to help them produce and organise a two-part project to celebrate the opening of Brent Cross West, a new mainline station in London and momentous occasion for the community. The train station is a part of the Brent Cross Cricklewood Regeneration Programme and marked the end of a significant journey. Not only does this station provide services to central London, but it also includes a new public overbridge offering new ways to get around the area. Alongside the launch event, Barnet Council also wanted to get the community involved by creating a permanent artwork that could be displayed in the station.
What we did
Legacy Piece
We worked in collaboration with local artist Elisa Cantarelli, whose idea was to create two artworks that could be hung on either side of the station’s overbridge. Elisa said, “This project was a representation of our present and our future, about togetherness and sustainability. Underlining how the two adjacent boroughs can merge as a whole community, showing how their demographic diversities can help enrich and shape a new identity. The station becomes both a physical and a cultural point of connection.”
Alongside Elisa, we also worked closely with We Are OPS to create a database of groups within the locality of Barnet & Brent who could partake in the creation of the artworks and then organise the workshop sessions themselves. Overall, eight sessions were held with 63 attendees taking part, which included participants from Age UK, local schools including a SEN one and other community members.
Opening Event
On the opening day itself, Barnet Council invited local residents, rail enthusiasts, delivery partners and politicians to watch the unveiling of the new station before immersing themselves in a variety of activities hosted by the community. The height of the day involved the grand unveiling of a ceremonial plaque by the Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan.
A key part of this project was community involvement so it was imperative that we worked with local residents, artists, groups and businesses to deliver this event. We curated a programme of creative and family friendly workshops that independent local artists and Great Western Railway hosted. Alongside this, we had performances from two local music groups, and at the western entrance, we had a small market that included pizza, coffee & mulled wine from various businesses.
It was great to be a part of this huge milestone and to work so closely with the Barnet and Brent communities during the lead-up to the event and on the day itself. Being able to organise such a monumental occasion, which involved the Mayor of London, was a highlight of the project, and it was so rewarding to see how this new station has already had such a positive effect.
Deliverables
Event & Production Management: Working within the restraints of a building site and then an operational train station, this involved applying for multiple permits. Developing a budget and producing a detailed production schedule of the event.
Stakeholder Management: Liaising with the client and various local business, schools, artists, groups and musicians.
Logistics Management: Creating a logistical plan for the installation and de-rig of the event, working with multiple suppliers and ensuring we adhered to the stations rules.
Supplier Sourcing & Management: Daily consultation, management and ownership of the supply chain.
