Exploring trading as a force for good at Brilliant Bamboo

A woman standing amongst rows of plants with a summer sky above.

By Gemma Thomas in conversation with Hannah Hiles. When we set up Brilliant Bamboo as a community interest company rather than a charity, it was a very deliberate choice. I wanted us to be able to trade, especially in the long term. The funding landscape is tougher than ever. Organisations are often asked to be […]

Brilliant Bamboo Brownfield Parklet: Getting here

A drone shot of the Brilliant Bamboo Brownfield Parklet in Stoke in December 2025

Currently the Brilliant Bamboo Brownfield Parklet opens for events as planned and shared on the Events page. Location: Land off Boothen Road, Stoke-upon-Trent, ST4 4AH W3W: united.clocks.vine In our work, we’re re-thinking the ways of being, moving and working for the environment. We’re aware of the infrastructure challenges that our city has, and the opportunities. Where possible […]

Saturday 14 March: Mudlarked Make Celebration

Saturday 14 March 2026 12pm – 4pm Location: Brilliant Bamboo Brownfield Parklet, Boothen Road, ST4 4AH. Free to attend, booking not required. Open to all. Join us to unveil and celebrate the new mudlarked mosaic artwork created with Livvy Azzopardi and the Mudlarkers who met on Saturday 28 February. We’ll have cake to celebrate and […]

Saturday 28 February: Mudlark & Make

Saturday 28 February 2026 11am – 3pm Over 16’s only. Free, spaces must be booked in advance: BOOK TICKETS Location: Brilliant Bamboo’s Brownfield Parklet, Boothen Road, ST4 4AH. Lunch, hot and cold drinks and snacks are provided. You are invited to join our Community Mudlark and Make session with artist Livvy Azzopardi at the Brilliant Bamboo Brownfield […]

Brilliant Bamboo: Review of the year 2025

A wide shot of people mooching around, playing with bamboo.

2025 has been a remarkable year for Brilliant Bamboo, filled with innovation, community engagement and new experiences.  We have started to transform a disused urban space in the heart of Stoke, commissioned two beautiful murals and brought people together to learn new skills, take part in hands-on activities and enjoy performances, all themed around the […]

Capula Volunteer Day

On Wednesday 26 November, Capula, in partnership with VAST, brought along 32 young apprentices from across the company to help at the site to clear bramble, litter pick, progress our pallet build projects, build benches and find out more about the site and bamboo. Thanks to the team we were able to finish our workshop […]

Kings Trust: October 2025

Six people standing in front of a blue shipping container.

In October 2025, we were chosen by Stoke-on-Trent Kings Trust co-hort for their project as part of the 12 week development programme at the Brilliant Bamboo Brownfield Parklet in Stoke. We wanted to offer a glimpse into our work beyond the jobs we need to do at the site. The team were able to meet […]

International sustainable designer to speak in North Staffordshire about her pioneering work

An international bamboo expert and sustainable designer is set to give a talk in North Staffordshire about her pioneering work. Dr Rebecca Reubens, who founded India’s first multidisciplinary sustainability design studio, Rhizome, in 2009, will speak at Keele In Town in Newcastle on Tuesday, 25 November. Organised by Stoke-on-Trent-based Brilliant Bamboo, the event will run […]

Meeting our neighbours, and sharing ideas at BB Brownfield Parklet

Images of paper-made polaroids

Our plans for the Brilliant Bamboo Brownfield Parklet have always included you, our neighbours, residents and communities on our doorstep and who might want to be involved and visit the site. To do this meaningfully, and for the time we’re stewards of the site. Our original set-up and start of the project for us was […]

Booming Brilliant live with Rebecca Reubens (Rhizome, India)

Date: Tuesday 25 November 2025 Time: 6pm – 7.30pm (with networking at the end). Location: Keele in Town, 53 Ironmarket, Newcastle-under-Lyme, ST5 1PE. Tickets: General Admission: £12.50 / £10 (includes booking fee) Booking below. Following the success of the UK Bamboo Summit 2025, we are pleased to welcome Dr. Rebecca Reubens: World Bamboo Ambassador and […]