A Stoke-on-Trent-based community organisation are planning to open a bamboo park and community space in Stoke town centre. 

Brilliant Bamboo are on the lookout for a suitable piece of land to house their 'parklet' where bamboo will grow in moveable planters and the group will hold community events. 

The parklet will be developed as part of the Stoke High Street Accelerator Green Space Project through Stoke-on-Trent City Council which is backed by government funding. 

Gemma Thomas, who set up the project, told Stoke Nub News: "This is especially for Stoke town, to benefit local businesses, communities and also to attract new businesses into the town for something different. 

"We hope to be able to run ongoing sessions, like events listening to music or volunteering where people help us look after the bamboo plants. 

"As well as it is a space where things grow, it is absolutely a space for people to come and have some quiet time or connect to each other. 

"We are going to have everything in pots because once we have used a piece of land for as long as the landowner would like us to use it, we would like to pack it up, take it somewhere else and open it all back up. 

"A bit like a travelling circus, but a travelling park!"

The group are looking for a ½ to one acre piece of land which they can use for up to five years. 

The aim is to use the parklet to explore sustainability, creativity and the impact on the environment, including whether bamboo can improve air quality in an area which traditionally has had high levels of pollution.

Gemma added: "This idea of being able to grow something that we could then use in a completely different way and make things together by growing, making and creating a social enterprise. 

"We are going to be growing specific varieties that would grow big and tall but also be good to make things from. 

"Part of the idea is that we might have a little workshop on the site so people can come along and have a go at making things for themselves. 

"In a couple of weeks we have some artists masterclasses with 12 artists from the local area who will be working with people who already make with bamboo."

Artist Francesca Wheeler, will be running two free bookable sessions in Harper Street, Middleport, for over 18s, on February 26 where participants can create a bamboo instrument or a bamboo dome on March 5.

Brilliant Bamboo and fellow community organisation, Middleport Matters, are also holding a bamboo block party at the sensory garden near Harper Street on Saturday, March 29 to celebrate the works which will be created.

To suggest a suitable plot of land in Stoke for the parklet, which must have public access, please email Gemma on [email protected]