October was another busy and inspiring month at the Courthouse, bringing people together through creativity, storytelling, traditional skills and community connections. From woodworking and mixed arts programmes to family crafting sessions and social gatherings, it was wonderful to see so many people taking part in our community activities.

Throughout the month, we continued to host the Life Between 2 Coasts Community Connect Labs, providing opportunities for participants to come together, share experiences and build new connections through this ongoing community programme.

October also marked the conclusion of two successful four-week woodworking programmes led by local craftsman David Keys. Working alongside Ballycastle Men's Shed, participants collaborated to design, build and decorate a beautiful flower box for their shed. The completed project showcased not only impressive woodworking skills but also the strong sense of teamwork and camaraderie within the group.

A second woodworking programme brought together members of Bushmills Men's Shed and Bushmills Orange Hall. Participants developed traditional woodworking skills using shave horses and hand tools while creating their own handcrafted sprig vases and three-legged mug tables. The programme offered a fantastic opportunity to learn new techniques, share knowledge and enjoy time spent creating together.

Creativity continued to flourish through our four-week mixed arts programme with Ballycastle Base Group, delivered by Christina from Meraki Art. Participants worked collaboratively to create a large personalised jigsaw, with each individual piece reflecting unique interests, experiences and personalities. The completed artwork now represents the group's collective identity and will be proudly displayed in their building. The programme also included the creation of personalised "meaning mugs" and concluded with a fun-filled Halloween-themed craft session, offering something creative and engaging for everyone involved.

Our popular Brushstrokes and Brews gathering made a successful return this month, welcoming participants for a relaxed morning of creativity, conversation and artistic expression. With paintbrushes in hand and plenty of tea and coffee flowing, the session provided a welcoming space for people to unwind, connect and explore their creativity.

Storytelling remained an important part of our autumn programme, with Resident Storyteller Colin Urwin returning for the second of his Autumn Storytelling Sessions. Filled with stories, songs and laughter, the afternoon brought people together to enjoy traditional storytelling and good company. We look forward to welcoming participants back for the final session in November.

Our younger visitors also enjoyed another month of creativity through Kids Crafting at the Courthouse. During our autumn-themed workshop, children created mosaic leaf coasters, spiky hedgehogs and wooden tree decorations inspired by the changing season. Later in the month, our Halloween-themed Creepy Crafts session encouraged children to get creative with hanging fabric ghosts, skeleton hands, monster jars and other spooky creations, resulting in plenty of imaginative artwork and fun.

We were also delighted to welcome participants back to Chatty Crafters, our friendly social crafting group. The session offered a relaxed opportunity for people to enjoy creative activities, share conversation and spend time together in a welcoming environment.

October was a wonderful month of creativity, learning and community engagement. From traditional woodworking and collaborative art projects to storytelling, social crafting and family-friendly workshops, it was inspiring to see so many people coming together to learn new skills, make connections and express their creativity.

A huge thank you to all of our artists, facilitators, partners, funders and participants for helping make these programmes such a success.

If you're part of a community group and would like to get involved in one of our creative workshops, we'd love to hear from you. Visit our community page to find out more about the activities and opportunities available.

Supported by the National Lottery through the Arts Council of Northern Ireland.

October also saw an exciting milestone for our Life Between Two Coasts programme as we welcomed visitors from North Shields for a three-day exchange exploring how arts, culture and heritage can strengthen communities. Together, we shared stories, exchanged ideas and visited inspiring community spaces across the Causeway Coast and Glens, including The Courthouse Bushmills, Hare's Corner Cooperative in Garvagh, The Old Church Centre in Cushendun and YARN in Ballycastle. Along the way, participants had the opportunity to meet the people behind these projects and learn how they are creating opportunities for connection, participation and community development.

A huge thank you to everyone who welcomed us so warmly and shared their experiences, and to our North Shields visitors for bringing their own ideas, perspectives and plenty of great conversation. The exchange highlighted what Life Between Two Coasts is all about: learning from one another, building lasting relationships and discovering what's possible when communities come together. We look forward to continuing the journey with a return visit to North Shields.

Life Between Two Coasts is funded by the UK Government Connect Fund Grant Scheme.