Its Christmas at Meanwhile in the Manor!

Well it's that time of year again and thanks to Phill and Lynda from International Visual, the season has been kicked off with style at Meanwhile in the Manor. Yesterday the pop-up shop hosted some very creative crafting workshops with top professional tips from Phill and Lynda for decorating Christmas trees and making beautiful decorations from recycled everyday objects, such as books and bottles. There was a great turnout and lots of local businesses and members of the public popped in to get inspiration for their homes, shops and window displays. Phill and Lynda have also very kindly shared the ideas through their "how to" posts on their blog www.internationalvisual.wordpress.com to remind people how to make some of things from the workshops and to join in at home if you missed them. 

If you didn't get chance to come along to yesterday's workshops then don't worry, more are planned for Monday 5th November and will include:

10am to 12pm- How to professionally dress your Christmas Tree - simple top tips that are used by visual people all over the world. these tips will help you give your tree the wow factor.

2pm to 4pm  - Christmas Crafting - learn how to make a range of unique christmas decorations for your stores by recycling and upcycling everyday objects

All the workshops are free and open to everyone so please do pop in and join in the festive fun! 

Making Meanwhile in the Manor

Just a couple of weeks ago, 93 Victoria Road was just an empty shop but after a bit of hard work from the brilliant design team it is looking great and has welcomed lots of local people. The transformation could not have been done without the hard work of the design team who have made it look great. 

The sign was designed by Lee from Designed by Good People, who is also helping out local businesses to transform their shop fronts. Lee also has a great blog for inspiration, information and advice for shop fronts on Victoria Road -  http://whatifthemanor.wordpress.com/

Following a new sign and a good clean, Phill from International Visual  came in and transformed the empty space into a lively pop-up ideas shop, decorated with information about the Vacant Shops Competition and local people's ideas for what the space could be. All materials were bought locally and on a budget of £10! 

Thank you to both Lee and Phill for all their hard work. The transformation has been fantastic and has created a lovely environment for upcoming events at the shop on the run up to Christmas. More details about what will be happening at Meanwhile in the Manor will be posted on the blog and on the Meanwhile Space website in the next couple of weeks. 

PRINT! Meanwhile in the Manor bag printing event 29th September 2012

On Saturday afternoon we welcomed Anna and Lula from Unlimited Print Shop ( http://unlimitedprintshop.wordpress.com/ ) to the Manor for a fun and free bag printing event. From 1-4pm lots of local people came along to design and make their very own 'made in the Manor' shopping bags. The designs were all fantastic and it really showed how much hidden talent there is. People made presents for their families, bags to use for school or work, and local businesses came along to make their own branded shopping bags. 

Thank you to Anna and Lula for their hard work and to everyone who came along and made the day really fun. Thank you also to all the local businesses who have supported Meanwhile in the Manor in the pilot week and been so welcoming. The winner of the competition will have some lovely neighbours!

Here are some pictures from Saturday for you to enjoy. 

What's your BIG idea? Enter the Vacant Shops Competition!

Working with Hillingdon Council, we are seeking proposals from start-up businesses, artists, makers, existing businesses, community groups (anyone!) with an enterprising idea to take up an empty shop in Ruislip Manor and develop a business, service, or cultural project to benefit the local community. 

The winning idea will be given access to the shop at 93 Victoria Road, including a 3 month rent and rate free period to help them get started. For more information about the competition and to submit an exciting, enterprising idea please visit the Meanwhile Space website and download an application pack here:

http://www.meanwhilespace.com/projects/current/meanwhile-hillingdon/

REASONS TO BE CHEERFUL!

Massive thanks to all the visitors who cheered and shook our pompoms at Ruislip Manor's Bandstand Marathon! 

We hope you can join us for more cheerfulness and a free programme of inspiring and creative activities at

93 Victoria Road, Ruislip Manor 

Monday 24th - Sunday 30th September

Come and tell us about the best bits of Ruislip Manor. What are you most proud of? What needs cheering up? What would you like to see happening in the empty shops?