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 MELVA programme began life as a children’s theatre show in Christmas 2017, telling the story of nearly-11-year-old, Melva Mapletree, as she navigates her struggles with anxiety and bereavement (or ‘worrits’ as they’re known in her world). The play was developed in consultation with children, who helped shape the character and story at every stage. Following its initial success, the play was developed into a regional schools’ tour with wraparound activities, visiting 28 North East primary schools. When the pandemic hit, Mortal Fools acted fast to transform this live programme into a fully digital resource, and today, it is used by over 100 schools and reaches 1000s of children every year.