CoolTan Arts runs a walk every third Saturday of the month, each with a different topic.

Walkers meet at 12noon at the main entrance of Maudsley Hospital, Denmark Hill, SE5 8AX.

Upcoming dates:

20 February 2010 – CoolTan Arts Largactyl Shuffle – Gay History, Love

6 March 2010 – CoolTan Arts Largactyl Shuffle – International Women’s Day

17 April 2010 – CoolTan Arts Largactyl Shuffle – You Read It Here First

15 May 2010 – CoolTan Arts Largactyl Shuffle – Sociability, Science and Sanity

19 June 2010 – CoolTan Arts Largactyl Shuffle – Summer Solstice Midnight Walk

21 August 2010 – CoolTan Arts Largactyl Shuffle – Family Treasure Hunt/Quiz

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CoolTan Arts Largactyl Shuffle

Gay History Walk

Date: Saturday 20 February 2010

Start: 12noon, Maudsley Hospital, Denmark Hill

Did you know that London’s first gay disco was in Camberwell? (The Father Red Cap)

Or that Brixton Gay squatters / Brixton Radical Faeries in the 1970s set up the UK’s first gay centre in Brixton and a series of nearby squatted houses?

Sashay around South London with CoolTan Arts’ Largactyl Shuffle and find out 101 little-known facts about London’s most under-cover borough.

It’s LGBT history month in February, which celebrates the lives and achievements of the LGBT community, its diversity and that of the society as a whole. CoolTan Arts February Largactyl Shuffle will look at gay history, mental health and the connections with Southwark. All are welcome! Come and join us, learn new things, meet like-minded people and make friends.

CoolTan Arts Largactyl Shuffle is a guided cultural walk through Southwark from the Maudsley Hospital to Tate Modern designed to encourage mental and physical wellbeing, through art, exercise, humour and history, de-stigmatizing mental health.

Walkers meet at 12 noon at the main entrance of Maudsley Hospital, Denmark Hill, SE5 8AZ. Call CoolTan Arts on 07985658443 if you require further information or cannot find the group of walkers on the day.

5 Mile walk through the back streets of Southwark- allow 3-4 hours.  Feel free to bring sandwiches and a bottle of water.  Along the route there will be an opportunity to have a 20 minute break at CoolTan Arts for refreshments and to view artwork created by CoolTan participants. The walk is free but a voluntary contribution will be appreciated, all money goes towards CoolTan Arts.

Additional Information

The Largactyl Shuffle is named after the oldest anti-psychotic drug chlorpromazine sold as Largactil in Europe which has severe side effects.

CoolTan Arts believes mental wellbeing is enhanced by the power of creativity. It exists to inspire the well-being and creative participation of a diverse range of people through the production of quality art.

We are proud to have as Patrons: Maggi Hambling, Sokari Douglas Camp, Ali Smith, Clare Allan and Rosemary Shrager.

Further information is available from: Kathrin Kirrmann, Communications Officer, CoolTan Arts, 020 7701 2696 kathrin@cooltanarts.org.uk www.cooltanarts.org.uk

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Walkers were welcomed by Michelle Baharier, Chief Executive of CoolTan Arts, the Mayor of Lambeth, Christopher Wellbelove, past mayor of Southwark Bob Skelly, London Assembly member and deputy chief of Transport Valerie Shawcross and TV Chef Rosemary Shrager. All the speakers highlighted the importance of art and walking on everyone’s mental health and well being, the social element of a community walk and how it can help people overcome barriers and stigma.

Everyone who completed the whole walk celebrated their achievements with home-made cakes, performances by actress Julie McNamara, poetry by Peter Cox, Phil Ruthen, Maggie Sullivan and a raffle drawn by Rosemary Shrager.

David Morris, Disability Advisor to the Mayor seconded to the London Olympic Organising team until 2012, and great supporter of CoolTan Arts, joined the walkers at Tate Modern and called CoolTan Arts Largactyl Shuffle as a “great example of how we celebrate diversity” and hopes that CoolTan Arts’ Sponsored Walk in 2012 will be the biggest Largactyl Shuffle ever with thousands of people celebrating diversity.

Sanae El-Mahboub, CoolTan Arts volunteer, says about the walk: I loved the sponsored walk this morning it was GREAT! I really enjoyed myself, I liked the talks about all the history of the various places we passed, the fantastic poetry that was read and I am really looking forward to the next one.

CoolTan Arts is grateful to all the walkers that joined this year, the support it received and want to thank all the walkers and volunteers that helped to make an unforgettable event.

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Largactyl Shuffle from CoolTan Arts on Vimeo.

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