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Stirling Observer Article - "It's all part of the act"
by Kaiya Marjoribanks (6 December 2002)

Juggling to me used to mean trying to sort out the kids, hold down a full time job and keep the washing ticking over.

But after a mere visit to Stirling Juggling Project it's taken on a whole new meaning.

The project has been renting space several times a week since July 2001 to learn, practice and perfect a wide range of circus skills.

Some of the members were originally involved in a juggling club in Stirling in 1994 at the Cowane Centre.

WORKSHOP: The group practice their skills together

They, and others they managed to meet in recent years, decided more recently it was time to get back together on a firm footing.

Since "stumbling upon" their base at Stirling Boys Club where the staff are "an absolutely fantastic support", the project has gone from strength to strength.

February 2002 saw their first outing to the Glasgow Juggling and Face Painting Convention where members ran workshops and performed in the main show.

Plate Spinning Products Page - click on image to visit. (UK only)
Throw away: Hundreds of jugglers take part in the end of European Juggling Convention "toss-up" in Bremen, Germany

Armed with a Youth Challenge Grant from Stirling Council Youth Support, they also spent Easter at the British Juggling Convention in Kent.

August provided the biggest trip yet with members heading off to Bremen for the European Juggling Convention having successfully raised enough money through shows and workshops throughout the summer to send six people all expenses paid.

Website opens the door to fun

Steve takes most of the responsibility for the project's extensive website [this website]. He recently secured funding from the Prince's Scottish Youth Business Trust and Scottish Enterprise Forth Valley to set up an online juggling equipment store.

He's already finding that people are looking to it for a far more unconventional and exciting line in Christmas presents than the usual socks and boxes of chocolates.



Fun

While there's obviously a lot of fun involved in what the guys do, they also use their skills to benefit a range of causes.

"We have taken part in a large number of community events", said member Steven Thomson, "mainly through our association with Off the Record. Our proactive approach and enthusiasm means that interest and demand for our talents is increasing".

Just some of the organisations and charities they have worked with doing workshops and demonstrations are Stirling District Association for Mental Health, Barnardo's, Raploch Youth Initiative, Tullibody, Fallin Alpha Centre, Stirling Health and Well-being Alliance, and Stirling Volunteer Centre.

Their talents can also be employed for birthday parties and functions.

Much of the money they make goes into financing trips to conventions and other events.

Preparations are also underway for a lateral exchange trip to Holland as well as a three-way exchange programme.

Many of those in the project are full-time professional jugglers and are appearing at various Christmas light switch ons and shopping centres all over Scotland during the festive season.

UP IN THE AIR: Steve Thomson shows off his skills

Among them is Steven, who juggled during his own baptism a few years ago. He specialises in performing for charity and Christian organisations as well as selling juggling equipment through an online store.

Project founder member Duncan Smith, has many years of teaching experience with all age groups and is an experienced and trained performer. He has produced everything from simple clown skits to complex circus based demos, tackling mental health issues, and has performed for audiences ranging from primary schools to adult cabaret.

He and fellow member Gordon started out by just looking for somewhere to practice. Word soon got round to other jugglers, helping to establish the collective there is today.

Ring Juggling Products Page - click on image to visit.

More and more people have been joining in, many of them regularly, and tourists and other visitors are often welcomed into the fold to try out some skills.

Many young people have been learning skills which will hopefully ensure a solid base for the project in the future.

Parents who bring their children along for a try usually end up discovering the big kid in themselves.

George Robertson (face painting by Louise Lear of Making Faces)

Among the dozen or so stalwart members is George, often seen in Port Street, who has also worked for a year in a community circus in England. He was British Diabolo Throwing Champion of 2001 and won the 2002 UK National Busking Competition Circus Skills Section.

Ewan Colsell is something of a unicycle wizard and teaches circus skills in local community groups as well as being a volunteer advice worker.

Catch the Show

Preparations are well underway for the project's Christmas show on Tuesday, December 17, which has the not exactly catchy, but certainly eye-catching title of "The All-singing All-Dancing Stirling Juggling Project Sensational Seasonal Extravaganza".

It takes place in the project's usual base of Stirling Boys Club and doors open at 6.30pm. Tickets cost £3 and £1.50 for kids and are on sale at the door.

View photos of event

Workshops

Gordon Riddoch gained experience in theatre and circus skills in Bristol and has gone on to perform in events across the country, particularly workshops for adults and young people.

But despite the experience and expertise of the main members, they're not about to turn into prima donnas. They believe the sort of things they do are accessible to everyone.

Duncan said: "Part of the attraction is that anyone can juggle if they have the patience to keep trying. "Another thing is that it need never stop being a challenge. No matter how much you can do there's always room for more. For example, when you master juggling five things, you just keep adding to that. And there's always something new to try."

EYE SEE YOU: Ewan Colsell has a host of tricks up his sleeve

"It is often a lot more difficult than it looks and we still drop things. The important thing is not to give up. Some people say they don't have the coordination for it but it actually helps coordination, balance etc."

"We have also worked with people with special needs and disabilities who have found they really enjoy it."

Gordon added: "There is more motivation when you practice in company. People are often quite surprised with our standard and level of skill."

FIND OUT MORE ABOUT STIRLING JUGGLING PROJECT
BY CLICKING ON THE LINKS BELOW.

You can also see them in action by visiting the Conventions section of the website, as they are in many of the photo's.

 

 



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