Eureka Visit - Norwich Assembly House

The Eureka members visited the Assembly House last Friday and had an excellent time exploring this impressive Eighteenth century building. We were made to feel very welcome by the friendly staff, and our thanks go to them for this. Above, you will see a slideshow of photos taken by two group members, Mamie and Colin.

Eureka in the News!

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Eureka! members are really pleased following the really successful launch and promotion of our latest exhibition.  It was fantastic to get such positive coverage in the local press (see above). It made the point very clearly that Eureka members  are people brought together through positive creative activity. Some of us may have difficulties, challenges and experiences barriers, but we refuse to be defined by these. Furthermore, the group is open to people in a good place who want to help maintain that by investing in their mental health (I believe they call that, 'prevention'). Our 'model' works; and it works because attention to lots of little details that add up to more than the sum of their parts. More than anything though, it works because of the individual members of the group who enrich each other in so many ways. The ancient Greek word, 'eureka', means, 'to find it.' We have found it!

Colin Howey (Eureka! member)

Eureka Exhibition Launch & Preview - Wed. 7th Nov

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The Eureka Photography members would like to invite you to join us at The Base (see bottom of this post for a map) on the evening of Wednesday 7th November, at 7:30pm. We will be launching a new exhibition of our photographs, and would like to share this with you in person. There will be (non alcoholic) refreshments and light snacks provided. We are asking for a voluntary contribution of £2 per adult towards the cost of putting on the exhibition (I emphasise that this is optional). 

In order to confirm your attendance, please contact The Base on, either:

01603 463121 

Or...

thebasenorwich@gmail.com

Below, is a preview of one of the photographs, to give you an idea of the kind of thing you will see...

'Dragon Fly Sky' by Colin Howey

Why did I chose this photo?

"... because the dragonfly perched perfectly for me, statue-still against a stunning blue sky. For me, this sums up all of those wonderful fleeting Eureka moments."

What has being part of the Eureka group meant to me?
"Eureka is about slowing down, noticing a world of wonder and forgetting my workaday worries. It's about comfortable connections and generous gestures. It's about sharing and enjoying insights as we take time to look again."

Wellbeing Through Photography - Ranworth Church

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Last Friday Eureka members travelled to the Norfolk Broads, to explore the wonderful church at Ranworth. As usual, before we knew it, folk were crouching and delving - looking at things from unusual angles in pursuit of 'that shot'. 

As well as taking a lens-eye view of the church, we were really delighted to have the medieval historian, Dr Carole Hill, with us to talk about the church and answer some of our questions (thanks Carole!)...

Carole (centre) answering questions

As you may already know, Ranworth church is noted for its amazing medieval rood screen ('rood' is a Saxon word meaning 'cross'. The screen marks the division between the nave [west end] and chancel [east end] in a church). Most of these were destroyed during the transition from Catholicism to Protestantism during the 15-1600s. This is, then, a rare survivor - and exquisite it is too!

Light and shade; growth, life and death - it's all to be found in and around this church...

Having enjoyed refreshments, cake and good company in the cafe which adjacent to the church, we were ready for the drive back to Norwich. 

So, at the end of our first Eureka excursion beyond the city's boundaries, I'll share with you some of my personal thoughts about what the day meant to me...

It was great to take some time out to take notice of things in a special place like Ranworth. I found myself being in the moment, and casting aside my workaday worries for a while. It was also great to learn more about the church and how to look at it. This will inform my 'eye' as I explore other similar sites in the future. I also very much enjoyed the conversations and comfortable connections between the group. We had three first time Eureka-ites with us on the day, but everyone socialised very naturally - great to see. It was also brilliant to note the acts of generosity within our group. For instance, the drivers refused to accept contributions towards petrol. Carole gave her time and expertise to the group, and, in turn, enjoyed answering questions and getting to know members of the group. The following week, Hala gave me a cake she had baked, to pass onto Lynn as a thank you for buying her tea and driving her to the church. Although I must admit, I opted out of climbing the church tower myself, others didn't. I subsequently heard reports from Tom that he was still feeling the effects of the climb a couple of days later (and he had the additional pleasure of standing next to the bells as they chimed!). 

For those of you who know a bit about the background to the Eureka project, you will know where I'm heading with this. We are all about improving our wellbeing through our photography explorations, and you will find every element of the Five Ways to Wellbeing (Connect; Keep learning; Be Active; Take notice; Give) in my description, above. In a very spontaneous way, we use the Five Ways 'actions' to bank some feel good factor into the (metaphorical) 'bank account of the mind'. Being in credit helps us to face the challenges life throws at us - enhancing our bounce back ability (if you will). More than this though, all of the research into mental health points to the fact that people can only thrive when they are brought together around what they can do. All too often we are defined by our problems or 'failures'. Seemingly small comings together around positive projects like Eureka can have big beneficial impacts on people's lives. This is what group members are telling me, and I know it to be true from my own experience. 

Next, will be our forthcoming exhibition launch at The Base. More to follow about this in the very near future. 

~ Colin Howey ~

Eureka! In Eaton Park

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Today, Eureka members took a walk under some smudgy grey skies to explore the wonderful Eaton Park in Norwich. Before very long we were bending and stooping and - even! - splashing, in search of shots. The Raj inspired design of the park, with its seductive vistas made it hard to defy 'chocolate box' perspectives, but I think we managed to 'look again' in our own distinctive ways. Here are some of my visions, as seen through my lens...

~ Colin ~

Exploring Norwich Castle Museum

The Eureka group visited Norwich Castle Museum* on Friday 8th June. We didn't simply explore the museum; we really tried to explore how we see the space. In particular, we looked for 'hidden' things, like the graffiti in the Keep, as well as unusual viewpoints. Sometimes - as with the lovely hanging eggs - we just appreciated the straightforward beauty of the objects. 

Here are some photos taken by Eureka members during the visit. 

* Eureka members would like to thank NMAS for facilitating our visit and making us feel so welcome. Thanks!

Exploring Norwich Plantation Gardens

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A couple of weeks ago, cameras in hand, the Eureka! group visited the wonderful Plantation Gardens, on a blue-skied belter of a Friday morning. Here are some of the photographs taken on the day...