The dream of a permanent community home in the heart of Cardiff is close to becoming a reality.
The builders have picked up their tools and begun work on a 12 month renovation which will see a grade 2 listed church hall, transformed into NoFit State's new community circus centre. It'll provide improved space for classes and training, a home for the youth circus to develop and grow, along with much needed facilities such as offices and meeting space.
The early days
Four Elms Project Officer, Zoe explained the long journey.
We've come a long way in 26 years. In the early days, the NoFit State office was run out of Ali's back room. At that point there was nothing in Cardiff at all, if you wanted to train you'd have to travel to Bristol or Sheffield.?
The need for a dedicated training, office and rehearsal space was growing.
We started cycling around Cardiff looking at buildingsgoing 'oh, could we rig in there'? We looked at moving into an old church annex but it needed a lot of work. We all got stuck inperformers, community member and staff aliketo help sort out the floors and paint the walls. It was the first time we had offices and a training space in the same place. It made us realise this is what we neededto get everyone together in one building. From then we started to dream of permanent home!?
In the meantime, NoFit State moved into its current space on John Street and the community training and youth circus programme grew and grew.
A new, permanent home
In 2007 NoFit State found Four Elms, a turnofthecentury church hall building owned by Cardiff Council. The building was located in the Adamsdown area of Cardiff and needed a huge amount of investment. The slow process of raising the funds, seeking planning permission and planning the build began.
For me this is an amazing regeneration project. I love the fact that it is actually going to belong to people and not just a private firm. Making something really beautiful from a building that has been so neglected. It's an ambitious project but then circus is about risk and adventure.
Keeping the magic in Cardiff
With a long term council agreement, Four Elms will provide a permanent base from which the company can put down proper community roots.
I think it's really nice to create something permanent, especially for me as I spend so much time touring. With the big top you set up, the magic happens and then suddenly you're gone. To have something permanent you know that the magic will always the there. I just can? t wait to see the kids running round in there!?
We've still got one last bit to fundraise to turn Four Elms in to a proper circus space for Wales ? and it's probably one of the most important parts. At the heart of this new community space is a steel rig that holds the ropes, trapezes and dreams of our learners.
Help us Raise the Rig!
By sponsoring a nut and bolt, ladder strut or supporting beam, that make up the rig, you'll be playing a crucial part in the development of Four Elms.
To choose your part and keep track of our progress, visit the Four Elmswebsiteor if you'd like to know a little more, you can get in touch with me.
