Briefing Brainstorm

Stalker, PLACE, Flaxart Studios and Forum for Alternative Belfast, sat down today at PLACE for a stimulating, informative brainstorming session. PLACE and Flaxart used maps, anecdotes and images to paint for the Italians a picture of Belfast today: an under-populated city centre, what FAB call a ‘grey doughnut’ of motorways around it, and a sprawling city beyond, split into ‘pizza slices’ and accessed by arterial routes, with no radial public transport routes connecting the disparate slices.

The 77 bus route, which ran from Waterworks, via the Falls and the Shankill to the Gasworks, was once the city’s only radial bus route, but it no longer runs. It was decided that this route should form the basis of an exploratory walk, led by Stalker, during which the intention is to interact with locals and passersby along the way to learn about memories of the 77 bus, and anything else that comes up over the course of the walk.

We will be meeting on Thursday 12 August at 1.30 at the Fire Station on the Cavehill Road to walk the 77 route, terminating at the Gasworks on the Ormeau Road. It should be approximately a 9km walk, and you can join in for some or all, as and when you please. All are welcome, the more the merrier!