We planned some brilliant events on the Thorntree estate in East Middlesbrough with a combination of Drama Tree, Chris Litherland, photographer working with Positive Options, Tony Jilks who ran creative workshops and courses via bank of computers in the community centre etc. The enthusiasm and creativity we generated in the community was brilliant but unfortunately the political will prevent use of the rooms and facilities we needed because they didn’t think it would work without funding. They only allowed one event which was a success. As Thorntree was only one place out of many where Merlin’s Cauldron took place, it didn’t halt the festival but it was disappointing to have to lose all that enthusiasm and ideas we generated in a deprived area of Middlesbrough because of lack of faith! After the festival the community worker who blocked us called me “The man who did it!“. Well I did do it despite his lack of cooperation!