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 […]
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 neighbours in ST4 and Brilliant Bamboo volunteers, paid tickets available: BOOK HERE. Brilliant Bamboo is excited to be hosting […]
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. Free to attend, booking not required. Open to all. Join us to unveil and celebrate the new mudlarked mosaic artwork created with Olivia Azzopardi and the Mudlarkers who met on Saturday 28 February. We’ll have cake […]
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 Olivia Azzopardi at the Brilliant Bamboo Brownfield […]
Brilliant Bamboo: Review of the year 2025
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
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 […]