 |
|
|
|
|
Arts Advance -Words From The Wise
Location: South Tyneside
The Words From The Wise project is a celebration of the resilient spirit of the people of South Tyneside.
The towns of Jarrow and Hebburn were once world renowned for their shipbuilding industries and during the late Nineteenth Century and early Twentieth Century the population of both towns expanded rapidly as people arrived from all parts of Britain and Ireland in search of work.
 Many people still remember the dramatic closure of Palmers Shipyard in Jarrow which employed almost 80% of the working population up to the 1930s. The yards closure and subsequent lack of employment, led to a period of great hardship at the time and to the organising of the now famous Jarrow March of 1936.
The 'Words From The Wise' project aims to document the everyday lives of local people during this period of depression, through to wartime and the development of new industry. It is a vivid picture of changing social history. 
Arts Advance has collaborated with the Pluto Theatre Company to devise an innovative method of gathering material. A two-hour music hall show has been developed and recently toured around local residential homes and older peoples social groups in Jarrow and Hebburn. This interactive show encourages everyone to get into the mood to tell their own stories.
 A second show, a week later, encourages audience members to tell their own stories. These are captured on tape and video. This has proved a very popular and entertaining method of recording reminiscences and a great way to engage as many people as possible in the project. Participants can also complete a specially printed reminiscence booklet at their own leisure.
The group is also working with local artists, writers and actors to develop all of the reminiscence material into 500 illustrated booklets and narrated audiotapes of the participants stories.
The stories gathered will also provide the material for a final festival day which will include a special new show devised by the Pluto actors and an exhibition held locally.
Group Name |
|
Arts Advance |
| Project Contact |
|
Barry Hall |
| Address |
|
Jarrow, South Tyneside |
| Project Postcode |
|
NE32 4XY |
| Finishing Date |
|
31 December 2004 |
| See also |
|
Arts Advance website |
| Local Community Involvement / Partnerships: |
| Pluto Theatre Company, Jarrow Happy Circle Club, Windsor Nursing Home Hebburn, Jubilee Court Residents Group Hebburn, Don Dixon Drive Residents group Jarrow, Jarrow Ladies Group, Hillcrest Nursing Home Jarrow, Hartleyburn Community Centre, South Tyneside Library Service. South Tyneside Council Heritage Forum, South Tyneside Arts Celebration Trust. |
| Grants: |
Heritage Lottery Fund: £11,497
Nationwide Building Society: £2,450
|
|
|
|
|
