Project Description

'Sea Folk Sing' was a two-year production by Ideas Test and SparkedEcho that explored North Kent’s maritime and folklore history through music and singing. It aimed to improve the health and well-being of people aged over 55 through music and heritage. In 2018, sixty-four music/story-telling/songwriting workshops were held across Medway, Gravesham and Swale with people aged 55+. Each was led by Artistic Director Tania Holland Williams and local artists. The overall theme was based on the theme of reconciliation, as November 2018 marked one hundred years since the end of the First World War. The stories and themes that came out of the workshops were then explored in the choral piece, ‘Never Again' by composer Emily Peasgood. 'Never Again' was performed by a community choir across Kent, including on the Southeastern train service from Sittingbourne to Sheerness and on the footbridge of Queenborough Railway Station on Remembrance Sunday (with support from Kent Community Rail Partnership). Performances were also given at Strood Railway Station and Amphitheatre and The Historic Dockyard, Chatham - including one that was streamed live on YouTube. 'Sea Folk Sing' was funded by Arts Council England and The Baring Foundation's 'Celebrating Age' fund. We also received support from Kent County Council, Involving Medway and Optivo. The 'www1kent.com' website provided us with supporting wartime photos and stories. The photograph shows the performance at Queenborough Station on 11th November 2018 (courtesy of Hope Fitzgerald).
Performance of Never Again at Queenborough Railway Station on 11th November 2018. Photo by Hope Fitzgerald. A group of older people are stood on a footbridge singing.

Organisation

Organised by

Ideas Test

Region

South East England

Location

ME4 6BB

Event

Date

2018-07-01, 2018-12-31

Venue

Various

Focus and Research

Resources used for research

Workshops were created to gather personal stories of the First World War from the home front and the front line, which were handed down between generations in Medway, Swale and Gravesham.

Project Evaluation