The Maltings (Berwick) Trust’s creative engagement team delivered a series of workshops through April to May, working alongside Living Barracks Partners Berwick Archivist, Linda Bankier and King’s Own Scottish Borderers’ Veteran, Education and Outreach Officer, Peter McCutcheon.

The Dance workshops were delivered by West End performer Oli Brooks, and the team engaged with 10 local schools in a participatory workshop programme to commemorate VE Day 80th anniversary and inspire learning about WWII. The workshops were adapted towards the level of ability, and included pupils with additional support needs, ranging through the different year groups resulting in each class receiving a tailored educational experience. Despite initial time constraints, the collaboration was highly successful and led to pupils learning and engaging in with topic and with dance in a practical and interactive manner.

The Inspiration

The project emerged from an artist call-out for The Living Barracks project, a multi-partner programme to restore and redevelop Berwick Barracks including a cultural development strand of artist-led residencies and commissions which is produced by The Maltings (Berwick) Trust. The proposal from Martha Ellis combined large scale sculptural techniques with visible and inspiring outcome.

The project took place across 5 different schools from Year 4 to Year 12 pupils.  The artist adapted workshop methods to the level of ability some classes worked in teams to make one lantern, older pupils worked on individual pieces and pupils with additional needs focused on sensory elements to build collaborative lanterns.

The Inspiration

Children and teachers chose four artists to collaborate with to unearth stories linked to the mining and quarrying heritage of the area, including lead, coal and mineral mines. They explored the everyday lives of the workers and their families, as well as the impact of the industry on the region and beyond.

Each school researched the historically heavy industries in their area to find out about the people who worked there. In the first sessions, the children shared their research with the artist, and then through discussion, drawing, singing and drama workshops, the pupils began to co-create their artworks.

The project came about after a local Headteacher told us that the children in her school called the pit head wheel in their village ‘the bicycle wheel’.  She said “Few of the pupils have any understanding of mining.  It is the only visible relic of a local history that is disappearing rapidly.”

The Inspiration

The project specifically supported students who had been referred for support with their wellbeing and skills, due to a range of different needs and lived experiences (e.g., neurodivergence, social emotional & mental health, challenging family circumstances)

In working toward the Arts Award Explore, students made nature-based collages, imaginary maps, zines, and four soundscapes expressing their experiences of real and fantasy outdoors spaces using exploration of the actual outdoors to record Foley sound effects.