Jeremy’s fantastic vid of the Colour Run in the TQ yesterday:

… and an awesome vid by Adam – shot in true documentary style from the thick of the action:

We have great neighbours!

On one side we have the Mace for fresh sandwiches at lunchtime, a handy local cashpoint, and a regular supply of tasty soups. They’ve also been there for emergency raids for everything from scones, to butter, to batteries for the smoke alarms, to spare loo roll!

I don’t know how we ever coped without them, and it’s great to be working more and more closely with them as time goes on.

And then on the other side, our stripy-shirted chums on the SS Nomadic are just great – as well as calling in to see us during their lunch breaks, they’ve recently created a fantastic offer for Dock Cafe customers visiting the ship.

Any Dock patrons visiting the Nomadic get 25% off their ticket price (so that’s £6 rather than £8 per adult ticket) – which makes a phenomenally good bargain into, frankly, an offer you just can’t refuse.  If you haven’t already been on board to walk in the footsteps of John Jacob Astor, sit on the same bench as Molly Brown and look out from the same decks as Benjamin Guggenheim as they made their way from Cherbourg harbour to the Titanic… now is the time!

And if you want a banger or a burger into the bargain… on Monday the Nomadic are holding a Family Fun Day & BBQ – more details here

The really great thing about our lovely neighbours is how much we all support each other.  Every Dock customer looking for a sandwich is sent next door to the Mace; every Mace customer buying a sandwich is invited to sit and eat it on the comfy sofas of The Dock!  And we’re also becoming the unofficial-official coffee shop of the Nomadic experience – judging by these reviews of the Nomadic on TripAdvisor:

The first 10 days of August saw the most hopeful, colourful, powerful burst of activity and positivity that Belfast has ever seen – a week of such good news that it even reverberated onto the news headlines as an antidote to the old bad-news Belfast stories.

And right in the middle of it all was The Dock – and right in the middle of The Dock, the friendly face behind the coffee bar was not mine (I was “busy” eating galettes and drinking cidre doux in France) or Tegan’s (who was busy being a bridesmaid), but Judith, our special World Police And Fire Games cafe manager and all-round ray of sunshine.

So here’s the story of the 2013 WPFG, and the part played by The Dock, in her own words:

2013 WPFG ….. For those who may have been on holiday, working far too hard or just don’t know the World Police and Fire Games were hosted in our very own city of Belfast from 1st until 10th August 2013.

As well as open as usual for locals to pop in, The Dock cafe was filled with many visitors to the city. Those who came on their summer vacation … Many others participating in the games or supporting those who were.

So what went on in our special little corner of Titanic Quarter? What did those who came through our doors actually do? Here we go!! Time for… eating… drinking… chatting… team working… fun… bonding… inspiration… recharging… blessing… excitement… serving… challenges… relaxation… devotions… informing… friendship… appreciation… welcoming… mission… wi-fi(ing)… busyness!  By the end of the ten days one word which described me was …..exhaustion!!

Using words and photos I will try to bring these images to you, as I saw it during my time of managing The Dock!

Each morning at 7 am the FFC (Firefighters For Christ) and CPA (Christian Police Association) met in The Dock Prayer Garden for devotions before starting out on the streets of our city to minister and to give love to anyone they came into contact with. This was a special time as friendships were formed with others from around the world as they came together with a common goal.

As normal our Dock volunteers arrived for duty with such an enthusiasm for what that day would bring. Much hard work was in order together with opportunity to meet and chat with those who visited The Dock. Many inquiring about (a few not quite understanding why we do this) the Honesty Box and many remarking that it is was a wonderful concept and liked the idea that the churches share the space.

Added to this mix, some of the FFC volunteered to work in the cafe alongside us. Not only did they thoroughly enjoy the experience, but loved engaging with visitors, as they like the rest of us poured coffee and served soup! Not to mention doing a bit of tidying and cleaning! Karen from the CPA had the job of organising and transporting these guys around and most days she could be seen in the cafe leaving off and gathering up ….quite often having to drag the FFC volunteers away! Robert was in charge of the FFC but quite often it was the team that kept him right!

It was so encouraging to see the cafe overflowing with people each day. Standing room only was noted a few times. Even though extra supplies had been ordered in, food ran out most days, (so thankful for the Mace) with me rushing next door to restock! With the policy of allowing people to bring their own food into the cafe the Mace was also extremely busy!

‘Busyness’ certainly was a word to describe our days. From setting up to serving food and giving of our time to talk with many. What a wonderful way to spend the days, as the volunteers and chaplains engaged with the customers through chatting. Stories of people’s days and lives ….but all with hope. Customers told of how the FFC and CPA had encouraged them to come along for a cuppa and tray bake! The Dock certainly was a place where blessings were given and received. Often with conversations of church, prayer and God.

The second Thursday of the games saw the busiest day for the cafe. A ‘ladies tea party’ was hosted in the ‘new wing’ for invited guest who had been invited by FFC and CPA. This was a special time of outreach lots of chat and petite tray bakes were enjoyed. That certainly wasn’t a good time for the boiler to break….but break it did!! After the initial panic, a telephone call was made and a replacement boiler appeared very quickly. Later that morning another group of ladies arrived in for coffee and scones (email had only landed in my box that morning)…but God is good and extra scones ordered were gratefully enjoyed.

Two pop up markets were set up during my time in The Dock…. Elaine’s waffle stall and Colin’s aloe stall. Both having successful sales.

Everyone who comes through The Dock doors is special but on one occasion a very important person came to visit……Chief Constable Matt Baggott visited and addressed the FFC and CPA over an early morning cup of tea. Much excitement in the area, wondering who was expected in our ‘little place’! With some of the games being held at the slipways, many more police officers were out and about, around the area taking their morning coffee and afternoon tea breaks in the cafe. A daily catch up with them gave me a better insight as to what was happening regarding the games. Very exciting days in the city.

Even though most people came into the cafe for refreshments and time to relax, many new visitors were intrigued by the whole place….taking time to look at the ‘art’ and commenting on the Titanic memorabilia. It was noted that it was like walking into a museum or art gallery! Very positive comments and promises of return visits, as well as passing on the word that The Dock is the place to be!! There was even talk of other Dock style cafes opening in parts of Ireland as well as the UK! What an act to follow!!! What an inspiration The Dock is!

The Prayer Garden which proudly stands inside the cafe saw many walk underneath its wooden fenced entrance and take time to ponder, be inspired or pray. With its non-threatening layout many ventured in, if only for a ‘wee’ look out of curiosity.

And now that the 2013 WPFG are over?…..well ‘our little place’ -whatever it means to you – is still on ‘a high’ from the excitement of the ten days but as usual THE DOCK is open for service as the volunteers and chaplains serve the community in which it stands. What a special place!

As for me? Well I am now safely back in the sticks writing this blog with my wonderful happy memories of how I spent my outreach in the summer of 2013! Will I be back? Oh yes, my journey with The Dock is to be continued……!

Judith Huddleson

One of the things I love, love, love about the Titanic Quarter is that we’re building a new cultural life for Belfast – one in which the countless thousands of us who are looking for cultural experiences that unite us, rather than divide us, can take part.

So how’s this for starters…

Next Saturday (24th Aug) is the TQ Colour Run – a 5K mini-marathon during which all the runners (who all agree to wear white at the starting line) get pelted with paint as they complete the course, ending up dripping with colour as they cross the finish line!  There are 13 ‘Dockers’ joining the race – and the rest of us will be busy putting out plastic sheets on the seats in the cafe for when they arrive back in!

More details here or check out the video:

The following Saturday (31st), Sustrans are organising Pedal On Belfast – a cycle ride starting in Holywood, Lisburn, Newtownards or Comber – with each route pedalling its way towards a finish line at the ARC, right outside Dock Cafe.

There will be stalls, refreshments, jugglers, BMX displays, face painting and the whole works on site to greet them when they arrive – and of course the kettle will be on, and the comfy sofas awaiting, in The Dock!

More details here

Then in September, work will start on a massive public art installation called ‘Wish’ by internationally-renowned artist Jorge Rodriguez-Gerada.  The huge artwork will be assembled throughout September by volunteers and community groups – so that the finished piece, which launches the Belfast Festival at Queens, can be seen from the air (and some high vantage points in the TQ!) on selected dates in October.

The best part is – again, this is all happening right on the doorstep of Dock Cafe!  The art will be assembled on the green area beside the Nomadic, right opposite us – so we’ll very much be part of putting it all together.

Here’s the description from the website – sounds cool eh!

A new face for Belfast on the old face of the city. Is this just wishful thinking or a genuine hope for a brighter future for all of us who share this land?  A first for the UK and Ireland, a large scale portrait with a gaze towards the future will be created by internationally acclaimed artist Jorge Rodriguez–Gerada. Making history with local volunteers and community groups, the biggest spectacle of land art to be seen in Belfast to date will evolve at the Titanic Quarter, questioning who we want to be, rather than who we currently are.

More details here.

Then in October, it’s Belfast Restaurant Week – and as well as many other foodie delights around the city, The Dock is going to be part of a gastro walking tour – a tour around the TQ where you get a different course of an amazing meal at each different venue as you make your way through the Quarter.  We’ll be your starting point and soup course!

And then, in November, it’s time to mark the passing of one of Belfast’s unsung heroes: C.S.Lewis.  50 years ago, on 22nd November 1963, old C.S. had the bad timing to pop his clogs on the same day that JFK was shot, thus ensuring that the news of his death became a rushed footnote.  (He also missed, by one day, the broadcast of the first ever episode of Doctor Who – but he probably would have complained that they nicked his idea and the TARDIS was basically just a glorified wardrobe to Narnia).

Plans are well advanced for candlelit processions, readings, storytelling and a whole host of events to mark the man who gave us, not just the priceless stories of Narnia, but a wealth of unmatched work on his Christian faith as well.  (try finding any modern book on Christianity which doesn’t use a C.S.Lewis quote at some point.  You will fail.)

So if you can’t find something to interest you in that lot, check your pulse… What a line-up!  Music, art, food, exercise, history, imagination, creativity, colour.  And nothing (surely…?!) that’s going to be exclusive, offensive, provocative.  A new cultural identity for a new Belfast.

How gorgeous to arrive back at The Dock after a few weeks’ holiday and find it bursting, brimming with good news and stories tumbling out from volunteers old and new.  Some of them look ready to drop after a busy week in the midst of the World Police and Fire Games – but they’ve done a great job, keeping the Good Ship Dock not just afloat, but ever-changing with new additions and ideas.

Change and good news – such an antidote to the perception we encountered sometimes on our travels that our city is stuck in its bad news.

So there’s plenty to catch up on from the last few weeks – but for today, a little glimpse of the new signs surrounding Dock Cafe – which I’m told were up just in time for the start of the WPFG!  Fantastic work from Jeremy and the team – and I did notice that they can be seen and clearly read from the back of the Odyssey, the decks of Nomadic, the entrance of Titanic Belfast and the main Queens Road.  (Rumours that they can be seen from space are still unsubstantiated)

And for all those who do a double-take when they see the ‘Honesty Box Cafe’ sign, if you look closely you’ll see a little asterisk which, if you go up close, leads you to a little teeny tiny footnote: