Lumo: a short story by Calum Hall
In a quiet village at the edge of a misty valley, there grew a small bamboo shoot named Lumo. While the other plants stretched wide and leafy, Lumo was thin, simple, and—at least in his eyes—unremarkable. Every morning, he watched the tall trees sway proudly in the breeze. “I wish I could be like them,” […]
Saturday 13 June: Practicalities of bamboo with Helen Chen
Join Helen Chen, Bamboo Expert and President of the Bamboo Society of Great Britain, for A Practicalities of bamboo talk, Date: Saturday 13 June 2026 Time: 2pm – 3pm Location: Brilliant Bamboo Brownfield Parklet. Free for everyone, please BOOK HERE – donations appreciated. Brilliant Bamboo is excited to be hosting Helen for a talk and […]
Thursday 14 May: Bamboo Freak-e-bana with Alice McCabe
Thursday 14 May 2026 5pm – 6.30pm All Saints Church, Madeley, CW3 9PQ Free: Booking here, donations welcome. Join Brilliant Bamboo and floral artist Alice McCabe, RHS Chelsea Flower Show supplier, in exploration of Japanese style of flower arranging – Ikebana – with bamboo and cut materials. Blend the democratic approach of the SogetsuIkebana School (where all natural materials offer […]
Sunday 3 May: BAM Holiday Sunday
Sunday 3 May 2026 11.30am – 4pm Location: Brilliant Bamboo Brownfield Parklet, Boothen Road, ST4 4AH. Free to attend. No need to book! Join us to celebrate spring and create a new folk event for the Brilliant Bamboo Brownfield Parklet. You will be able to All with food from Neena’s Kitchen and drinks available to […]
Friday 20 March: Stoke Lanterns ’26
The Brilliant Bamboo Brownfield Parklet are pleased to be the end location for the B Arts’ Stoke Lanterns ’26: Stories in the Shadows. Starting outside Stoke Library on South Wolfe Street from 6.30pm you’re invited to help the lamplighter bring the fire back to Stoke town! The parade will start at 6.45pm, ending at Brilliant […]
PRESS RELEASE: Community organisation seeks land in Newcastle to create sustainable bamboo park
A North Staffordshire community organisation exploring the benefits of bamboo for people and the planet is seeking land in Newcastle-under-Lyme to create a new sustainable park and community space. Brilliant Bamboo, founded in 2023 by Gemma Thomas, is looking for a brownfield or field site of up to one acre where it can establish its […]
Thursday 19 March: Booming Brilliant talks with Alice McCabe from Metafleur
Date: Thursday 19 March 2026 // 6.30pm – 7.30pm Location: Keele in Town, Newcastle-under-Lyme Town Centre. On Thursday 19 March 2026, we were joined by Alice McCabe who gave a public talk at Keele in Town. Alice talked about her exploration of bamboo within her work, the talk will cover an introduction to Japanese Bamboo Fence […]
Exploring trading as a force for good at Brilliant Bamboo
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
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 & Lantern Making
Saturday 14 March 2026 // 12pm – 4pm. Unveiling at 1pm. Location: Brilliant Bamboo Brownfield Parklet, Boothen Road, ST4 4AH. On Saturday 28 February and Saturday 7 March, 20 intrepid mudlarkers joined Brilliant Bamboo and Olivia Azzopardi to create a brand new mosaic artwork for our site. On Saturday 14 March, we held a mosaic […]