Tales from a changing city

Memories of Spode

2011-04-10T13:28:00.000-07:00

I would like to invite you to the Memories of Spode documentary film and exhibition at The Old Post, 12 Wedgwood Street, Burslem, Stoke on Trent 12th May 2011 at 7.30pm. Memories of Spode will be officially opened by the Lord Mayor of Stoke on Trent Denver Tolley.

Memories of Spode, is the result of a 2 year exploration of the now closed Spode site in Stoke upon Trent. In 2009 I decided to go along to the site for an official urban exploration due to my interest for the buildings within the city. Upon the first visit of the Spode site I instantly felt something for the site and upon having many conversations with the site security; I felt that the site had a story to tell. After many visits exploring the site I accidently came across an ex-employee of Spode called Keith Myatt on a music video shoot, I mentioned that I am known the city for exploring buildings and documenting them as part of my independent archive of works and spoke of my excitement of Spode of which he told me that he had worked there as a Kiln man for over 30 years.
In 2010 after a similar presentation I made at an event called Pecha Kucha where I presented a series of images alongside audio extracts of conversations I had with people around the city asking them to talk about their memories of where and when they grew up and worked, I then came up with the idea of asking ex-employees of the Spode site to come along and be filmed talking about their experiences on site to put a human connection to the Spode site and the people that worked within it. It took a lot of work to find people but through the support of the security Staff Alan Shenton and Mick Bosworth I managed to track down people for the film.
Upon the process of the Documentary I met Ray Elks of which used to be the visitor centre manager at Spode and was the chairman of tourism in Stoke on Trent and still has much respect within the industry. We spoke about the presentation of the memories of Spode film and Ray very kindly helped to arrange the venue of which to present the work.

2010-11-12T02:41:00.000-08:00

Memories by Darren Washington

2010-10-31T07:46:00.000-07:00

2010-02-08T12:07:00.000-08:00

city of the realm from darren washington on Vimeo.

Beyond Closed Doors

2009-07-10T08:46:00.000-07:00

The official poster for beyond closed doors
By Darren Washington
September 2009

Beyond Closed Doors kicked off with a bang last night, it was hosted at the All Saints Church Hall Joiners Square. Members of the Local and creative community came along and shared there stories and feelings towards the changing city. Beyond closed doors is a series of special one off events around the city gathering information on peoples feelings towards the changing city. The feelings and comments will all be brought together and shown in a large scale exhibition in 2010 along side constantly updated images from the area.

More info to follow

Darren Washington

Beyond Closed Doors

Meir Square Community Centre.

The touring exhibition of works was based in Meir this month, again at the heart of the community showing images from around the changing city that most people do not get to see from day to day.
I also got a wealth of information from the local community and there feelings towards the changes the city is going through.

Beyond Closed Doors

2009-05-20T07:11:00.000-07:00

The second Tales from a changing city event is due towards the end of the year.
Venue /Date T,B,C
Featuring a collection of images from Darren Washington
Above is a preview image from the exhibition...

2009-02-27T02:02:00.000-08:00

Breaking news 27/02/09

Due to rapid movement within a group of terraced hoses in Ludlow Street Hanley an emergency demolition took place yesterday.

2009-01-19T06:30:00.000-08:00

City General Maternity Block (Re-Birth)

Tales from a changing city is currently contributing work within the fit for the future project (Re-birth). The project is based around the renewal of the maternity wards of the city general hospital of the city of Stoke on Trent and is a major arts project working with many artists within the city.

Armitage Shanks (Garner Street)

Tales from a changing city was also granted full access in to the site of which captured the factory as it stood since its closure. The site is in its final stages of demolition and will soon be a business park. The former Excelsior site on Garner Street will soon be developed into a business park helping local companies to relocate from redeveloping areas within the city.
Garner Street once had other pottery manufactures on it such as Twyfords and a small community of residents and a large pub. The residential properties and pub was knocked down a couple of years ago due to environmental reasons.

Hanley Post office

Access was granted into the head post office in the city centre after its move into the city shopping complex.The Post office was built in 1906 by John Rutherford at the cost of around £13,000 and opened in October of the same year. We wait to see what becomes of this listed historical building after the relocation of the post office in 2007

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Bucknall New Road (The Living Gallery)

One of the major routes in to the city centre, Bucknall new road is due to be cleared as part of the regeneration of the city. The art work is part of the living gallery project which is a comunity based project with input from residents and schools within the area.

More regular updates will follow.

All works 'copyright Darren Washington'/ 'copyright Tales from a changing city 2009'

Short Story Example - Block 5, Row 3, Seat 17.

2008-11-23T15:48:00.000-08:00

Block 5, Row 3, Seat 17.

Shay’s taken everythin way’ve ever had. The lot. The telly, the fridge-frayzer, the microwave, the furniture, washin machayne, even the laight-fittings fer God’s sake! Ah should ave sayn it comin. It inna larke shay never warned may. Shay’s been sayin it fer years: ‘Ow thayst bloody cares abite is footbeow. Thee conna ave the best of both worlds! Tak yer pick!’ Ah never took her words seriously, ah’ll bay honest. Ah alweeys thewought it was just another one of those empty threats, thee kneowst?. It wonna larke ah wis aweey every deey. Once or twace a wek, with the lads, cheerin em along, home n aweey. Ah dunna think ah’ve been a bad husband. Fer from it.
What am ah supposed ta deow nah? Ah’ve got absolutely nothin. Shay’s even taken may most prized possession, just ite of spite: an ‘istoric payce o’ rubble from the owd Victoria Grind. The Boothen End, thee kneowst? Ah spent two wayks wages biddin fer that.
Ah’m crushed.
Thee‘s nowt ah can deow; conna slayp, conna work, conna eat, conna think…
Ah’ve got nothing left.
Ah bloody well loved that brick.

Short Story Example - That Couple Next Door

2008-11-23T15:46:00.000-08:00

That Couple Next Door.

That couple next doewer raylly git on mar bloody wick, thee deow. Thee think theer so high n mighty, teowkin’ ow posh, larkes - why conna thee teowk normal larke may n our Trev’ deow? Professionals, that’s what thee call ‘emselves, or to give it the full title, young professionals, ow bloody “la-de-da,” thee are, thee act as if theer farts dunna stink larke every-bugger elses deow. ‘E leowkes larke thee’s summat wrong with ‘im! N ‘er, dunna git me bloody started on ’er; weolkin’ dine th’ road as bold-as-bloody-brass, larke er’s trayin to balance a payle o’ beowks on ’er pretty blonde ‘ead. Ooh, ah conna bloody stand ’em, ah conna. Ah oewnly went rind theer to say “Ay up, welcome to th’ neighbour’ood,” but ‘er leowked at may larke ah wis bloody-well daft! Well, ah’ve trayed showin’ um ‘ospitality - eet’s obvious thee onna from rahnd ‘ere, ah wis doewin’ mar neighbourly bit, thee kneowst, larke eet says in th’ Bible - but ah wunna deow eet again! Ah wunna bother! Nah, that’s eet as far as ah‘m concerned, thee’ve burned theer bloody bridges!

That couple next door seem terribly nice, very welcoming, although me and Richard have only met them just the once, as we were unpacking when we first arrived. Quite frankly, it’s been dreadfully arduous adjusting to our new surroundings. My darling Richard, I know, has been under considerable strain adapting to his new job over here; I can see the anxiety in his eyes. He seldom complains. Bless him. Richard is Richard, and during the preciously short few years of our marriage I’ve tended to notice his behavioural traits, his eccentricities, if you like, and when under pressure, his burdens do serve to force him into his shell, making him appear, to outsiders, anxious and maladroit. Given time, however, I’m sure he will adjust to our new status quo. There is a light at the end of the proverbial tunnel, I’m sure we’ll settle here, eventually.
The new house is a dream, I love it, and the area is very agreeable; with lots of amenities and culture around the local area for Richard and I to enjoy. Yes, the more I think of it I’m positively sure we will make a home for ourselves here. That is, however, if we ever learn to interpret exactly what it is our neighbours are actually saying to us…

2008-08-11T01:42:00.000-07:00

Tales from a changing city is a community based company of the same name. The company was formed by Local Photographer Darren Washington And local Writer Danny Hill.

Tales From A Changing City is a real life photographic documentation of the changing landscape of Stoke on Trent.
showing all aspects of the regeneration and the effects of regeneration within these uncertain times.

In September 2008 Tales From A Changing City had its first exhibition at the Airspace Gallery, Hanley, Stoke on Trent. The show was a success and received excellent reviews and support from critics and the general public.

http://stokesounds.blogspot.com/2008/09/review-by-steve-dean-pics-by-julie.html

http://www.a-n.co.uk/artists_talking/projects/single/383995

http://www.thisisstaffordshire.co.uk/news/Tales-Changing-City-exhibition-opens-airspace-gallery/article-311352-detail/article.html

If you would like to know more about

TALES FROM A CHANGING CITY COMMUNITY ARTS

Please contact

Darren Washington - 07956505374 (Photography & Digital Arts)

All works 'copyright Darren Washington'/ 'copyright Tales from a changing city 2009'