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Dear Laura / Kevan [proprietors of The Deaf Cat]

Following the recent licensing issues and council interventions, I wish to make my feelings known on the subject of the Deaf Cat Coffee Bar – I hope this short note inspires you and your staff to stay motivated and positive in the face of the current hurdles, paperwork and autocracy.

In short, the Deaf Cat is much more than a Rochester coffee shop, it has become much greater than the sum of its parts and for the good of Rochester’s (and Medway’s) social ecosystem it is of paramount importance that this be recognised and supported by the council, not constrained.

I applaud what you have achieved in terms of a business, but more importantly I congratulate and thank you for the diverse community you have helped align, ignite and inspire. In a relatively short period of time you have achieved so much – well done! Through my ever-growing tuttle endeavours, community connections and public/council partnerships I will do what I can to help you build the necessary bridges with other creative groups, community initiatives, creative-freelancers/entrepreneurs and the local authorities.

From the standpoint of bureaucracy and autocracy (Eg. a quick glance over a piece of paper and a tick box aligned to a column marked ‘High Street Coffee Shop’) I understand how the Deaf Cat may appear at first to be a traditional High Street coffee house, but for those who care to look beyond the business name and brick building and its categorized business genre, a unique and thriving community of local catalysts can be found and will continue to grow. Sure the Deaf Cat serves good coffee but to most of the people who use it regularly the coffee is not the reason to frequent its welcoming space… its value cannot be realised in a cost-effective cuppa, its true value is in its community of active participants and true social-capital. Given Medway’s ‘Big Society’ agenda I can see no more valuable venture than The Deaf Cat.

What can be counted doesn’t always count. And from the standpoint of social capital, that which can’t be counted on paperwork or council forms, often counts.

Thank you. Positive thoughts,
Carl

Catalyst: http://www.fellowcreative.com/tuttle101
Co-founder: http://coFWD.org

Our new Studio 5 space isn’t as flexible as the Former Westminster Bank we had our eye on back in February (sadly removed from the rental market by the owner), nor is it as big as the original 2008 Brighton Skiff but we’re hoping it’ll provide us with a temporary foundation upon which to build even greater momentum and vision.

Studio 5 is currently equipped with 4 desks and an overflow space for an additional 3 desks (Studio 3), as well as access to toilets, a fitted kitchen and an enclosed courtyard.

We’ve already secured our first two part-time coworkers at £50pcm each (big thanks and welcome Paul @p_r_anderson of Sustaina.co.uk and Paul Baker at iDesignFor.co.uk).

We’ve still got room for two more full-timers (at £100pcm) or some more part-timers (at £50pcm), plus we’d like to encourage Students and other good folk to call in and see us. Occasional coworkers are very welcome for a day at no charge, just give us a ring on 07929 601737 to make sure we have space on the day.

We’re also exploring the potential for an event/workshop space for small groups so please let us know if you’ve got any ideas. We’ll post more details soon, in the meantime if you’re an organiser of small workshops, talks or other activities and you like the look of it please email studio5@fellowcreative.com for more information.

Finally, with this being a 101 Project and in support of The Deaf Cat (and the larger coworking vision) its important we’re transparent with finances. Studio 5 costs £260pcm to rent and any money we make beyond this will go into funding additional space usage (as and when its needed). We are making our books available for all to see:

Please do get in touch if you like what you see: studio5@fellowcreative.com

If you’d like to receive email updates about our coworking activities and freelance workshops etc please signup below:

Any questions, please email: tuttle [at] fellowcreative.com

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Photo: Tuttle101 at @TheDeafCat Coffee Bar (Rochester)
Original photo taken and licensed by @fellowcreative

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For more information see ProjectEncounter.co.uk/about/ or Tuttle101

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28th February 2011 – Event Announcement!

Tuttle101 is proud to announce an event that connects many dots across a three-year history of Community101 discussions, activities and creative collaborations – to present an exciting vision towards the future of Kent’s Creative Economy. We are working in partnership with NKLAAP (North Kent Local Authority Arts Partnership) to present a day of dialogue and exchange about using empty shops and meanwhile spaces in the region.

This event is run by NKLAAP as part of Encounter, a new programme of art in public spaces happening in North Kent in 2011 (www.nklaap.com/encounter.html) and includes a session led by Dan Thompson of the Empty Shops Network.

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VENUE CONFIRMED AS:
161 High Street Rochester Kent ME1 1EH
See Google Map here. Or Google StreetView here.

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Explore a Tuttle Co-working Vision: 12:30 – 2:30pm
(Open to all)

Hosted by Steve Rowland, Matt Peacock and Carl Jeffrey – venue doors will open for exploring – and an informal roaming tour will present a collaborative 2011 creative co-working vision for the day’s venue – co-workers, advocates and social entrepreneurs wanted!

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Information Sharing: 3.30 – 6pm *NOW FULLY BOOKED*

(Ticket Only – please book online via Eventbrite) *NOW FULLY BOOKED*

Facilitated by Dan Thompson from the Empty Shops Network, for anyone interested in using empty shops & meanwhile spaces.

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Open Space: 6.30 – 8pm

(RSVP Required – Limited Space – please book online via Eventbrite)

Facilitated by Carl Jeffrey of Tuttle101, and Mary Paterson from Encounter, for anyone interested in sharing ideas, meeting potential collaborators and advocates for using empty shops and meanwhile spaces.

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Tipple101: 8pm onwards

(Open to all – will be held inside The Two Brewers public house at 113 High Street Rochester, as welcomed by Philip Kane and a few of the Writers Rendezvous folks.

A description of Tipple101 and Tuttle101 can be found here.
Subscribe to our monthly email here.

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Supporting details:

Encounter is an exciting arts project happening in your town centre in 2011. It will transform 6 urban sites in Medway and the boroughs of Gravesham and Swale through a range of temporary, site-specific installations, performances or events developed in partnership with local community groups. The encounters will take place in familiar spaces in the heart of the community – empty shops, vacant buildings, businesses, high streets and public squares – and will be linked by a programme of talks and discussions, as well as documentation through film, photography and writing on the Encounter website. More information can be found in the Commissions Briefing Document.

The Empty Shops Network helps hundreds of projects across the country talk to each other, share ideas and access practical resources. Looking at town centres across the country its clear things are changing, and the most obvious sign is that about 14% of shops are empty. Empty shops are being used right now to test new ideas for town centres and to add variety to the mix – the Empty Shops Network supports these.

Tuttle101 isn’t for everyone but it is for anyone. A loose collection of people finding a way of working better together (both offline and on). Focused on Inspiration, Collaboration and Learning Through Doing.
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Photo: Tuttle101 at @TheDeafCat Coffee Bar (Rochester)
Original photo taken and licensed by @fellowcreative

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Photo: Tuttle101 at @TheDeafCat Coffee Bar (Rochester)
Original photo taken and licensed by @fellowcreative

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A list of previous ’101 Updates & Events’ is available below: