Railway Gardens in Cardiff has collaborated with local Splott photographer Tamsin Stirling to create a photography exhibition, capturing the essence of the people who make the project thrive. This exhibition, inspired by global ‘Humans of…’ photography movements, showcases the diverse community that brings Railway Gardens to life.
Among the 30 featured portraits are three key members of the GoodShed: Richard, Martin, and Andrew. These guys are not only key members of the shed but have also made significant contributions to the wider Railway Gardens initiative. In fact, they built the wooden frames for Tamsin’s pop-up exhibition.
The GoodShed Men’s Shed, based at Railway Gardens, is part of a larger community hub located on the site of a former playground. The hub, run by Green Squirrel, offers a variety of community services, including independent businesses in repurposed shipping containers and a Library of Things.
Tamsin, a long-time resident of Splott and a photography student at Coleg Gwent, aimed to highlight each individual’s connection to Railway Gardens by including a personal object in their portrait. The objects varied greatly, from a hammer to a cooking pot, each representing the unique relationship between the community members and the space.
The Men’s Shed is a vital part of this community, offering local men a space to connect, work on projects, and contribute to the transformation of Railway Gardens. Whether through building structures or supporting community events, Richard, Martin, and Andrew represent the spirit of collaboration that defines both the Men’s Shed and Railway Gardens.