Birtley Landscape

Who is taking part?

Members of the newly formed Birtley Heritage Group and the young readers group, Chatterbooks, Christine Myhill and Pauline Evans, Birtley Library.

Why?

  • To investigate the current, past and future social and economic life in the town and explore the changing face of Birtley, in particular street and place names. 
  • To incorporate salvaged stone place names from demolished streets into a new library garden, creating an outdoor space for library users.
  • To help develop the newly formed Heritage Group.
  • To encourage an interest in the library building and heritage, and instil a sense of belonging and identity amongst young people and the wider community.

The project so far….

The Birtley Heritage Group and Chatterbooks met before Christmas to take part in Christmas card making activities with artist Ellen Henderson and made soup with home economist Jill Weatherburn.  Since then, they have been holding regular meetings with garden designer and horticulturalist Kathryn Upton to create a heritage inspired design for the library garden. The groups are also taking part in workshops with artist Helena Seget to create a porcelain centrepiece for the garden which reflects an historical journey through the town.

The soups the group have created so far are Fiery Festive soup with Christmas Cake Naan bread (with sultana, almond and touch of cinnamon).  More sessions are planned to look at traditional recipes and old fashioned ingredients.

Soul Soup Café Event

This Soul Soup café event will be the opening of the garden area. More details on this will be decided later on in the project.

Find Out More

Birtley Heritage Group

www.ourgateshead.org/groups/birtley-heritage-group

Link to main Soul Soup page