The Dilley Line Underpass Gallery
Who took part?
Pupils from Heworth Grange School, Bill Quay Primary and Colegate Primary Schools, elders from Woods Green and Edbert’s House community spaces. Partners included Gateshead Junior Community Network, Gateshead Youth Offending Team, Gateshead Community Network, Helix Arts, Aquila Way, The Gateshead Housing Company, Nexus, Northumbria Police, Local Environmental Services, Environmental Strategy and Neighbourhood Management, Gateshead Council.
Why?
- To improve a public right of way, the former Pelaw Main Waggonway through environmental improvements and transforming the underpass at Sunderland Road Villas into an outdoor community gallery space.
- To share and celebrate the history and heritage of the area between older and younger members of the community, facilitating dialogue between generations.
- To address antisocial behaviour in the form of graffiti ‘tagging’; which is a major problem in the area.
- To look at the underpass area as a ‘hotspot’ for antisocial behaviour and a place viewed with suspicion by both young and old alike.
What took place?
Heworth Grange School worked with Helix Arts to design and print t-shirts and create artworks for the gallery space. Colegate Primary School made giant umbrella soup bowls and flags for the parade with artists Jane Gower and Tony Scandrett.
A day of memories and soup-making was held with the residents of Wood Green and Edbert’s House estates and Bill Quay Primary School. Beamish Museum brought old kitchen objects and both generations swopped stories about living in the area. Two soups were made on the day using traditional and modern ingredients. A traditional Ham Hock and Lentil and a more contemporary Tomato and Basil were made along with traditional North East stottie bread, under the guidance of chef Sam Storey. All ages sat down together at the end to enjoy good food and conversation.
Soul Soup Café Event
A community parade along the Dilley Line included the pupils and elders and their artwork to mark the opening of the new Underpass Gallery by The Worshipful the Mayor of Gateshead.
Ingredients to make the soups were put into specially designed Soul Soup cotton bags, with the recipe cards and other goodies, and given away to participants and guests to encourage soup-making at home within the family. The Soul Soup Volunteer Crew served refreshments and consulted the public about their ideas for the future of the Underpass Gallery.
Find Out More:
Heworth Grange Comprehensive School
Bill Quay Primary School
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