Poster by Artstation

Vicky’s Voice.
Wednesday, 09 July 2025

The community were asked seventeen questions through the research into their perception of their needs fifteen years into the future. The questions were physically posed by Vicky, formerly a member of the Manics Theatre Group, now a professional actor. Vicky spoke into their ears and minds over wireless headphones. A mystical chime separated questions, focusing attention across different themes. Desirable future policies were sampled and read by Vicky from a range of public agencies; these perspectives helped set the trajectory of our conversations. Dr Chris Groves’ team from Swansea University worked with Better Bonymaen volunteers to circulate 1,500 postcards and posters (see above) to local households and organisations.

Four compositions created by GD plotted some typical Bonymaen soundscape from morning through to evening. Soundscapes are interspersed between sections of voiced questions, immersing the listener in locations across Bonymean. Each conveys a different social texture and sense of time and place. This and other experimental approaches helped conversations flow across themes.

A comprehensive presentation of the research findings will be given to all stakeholders by a host of guests and dignitaries, including the research team at Swansea University in 2026.

Invitations will be sent out once a date is finalised, tentatively in the second half of January.

Below: announcing the workshops to organisations

To whom this may concern:

Summer Workshops for 8 participants - Supporting a Better Bonymaen 2025.

By Dr Chris Groves and Artist Glenn Davidson, Co Director Better Bonymaen.

Artstation and BBCIC will collaborate with University of Swansea researchers, running workshops in late summer 2025 to explore various aspects of life in Bonymaen and to consider future improvements for the area.

The research is divided into themed areas of interest:

•      Law

•       Housing

•       Green Spaces

•       Food and Growing

•       Energy   

Request:

You are recognised for your role and expertise within the organisation.

• We request 50 words from you to be spoken and recorded by an actor, plus a slightly extended 100 words as a text for print.

• The Statement should identify trends or recent developments in Welsh Government Policy, or generally across Wales, that open up the possibility of transformative change in relation to food and growing.

Schedule:

Our programme aims to start next month, so if you could send your contribution within the next few days, all material will be credited, and any edits or refinements for recordings will be checked with you naturally.

Funded by the University of Swansea AHRC Impact Funding. 

Thanks,

The method was deemed successful, and the university hopes to utilise this approach again in future work.