Transforming the Trent Valley

1. Connecting Communities through Action (CCA)

CCA06 Tales from the River Bank

Capturing memories of life in the Trent Valley.

Project Summary

This creative oral history project aims to reignite people’s enthusiasm for, and connection with rivers. Working with specialists in oral history and storytelling along with local young people, we are gathering people’s recollections and thoughts about the past, present and future of the Trent Valley.

In 2022, we’re delighted to be working with local artists Rebecca Lee and Jo Wheeler to create the ‘Tales of the Riverbank’.

We’ll use creative tools in sound and film and a youth-led approach to explore this landscape and collect its stories. Older members of the community will be invited to join us too and share their personal memories and knowledge of this area’s history and wildlife.

We’ll be connecting with youth groups over spring/summer 2022 and what we gather we’ll develop together into an online and touring exhibition to share and celebrate this watery landscape and all that’s special, quirky, beautiful and unique about it.

What we do and make together will be shaped by the young people who get involved. If you are aged 13-21 with an interest in the environment or creativity or digital stuff or just want to get social, this could be for you.

Remembering My Tales of the Riverbank

Do you or have you lived within the Transforming the Trent Valley Scheme area? Perhaps you spent your childhood living in Rugeley, Alrewas, Fradley, Barton-under-Needwood, Hopwas, Burton-upon-Trent, Uttoxeter or Rocester?

What games did you play? Where did you explore?

We would love to hear and share your stories as part of our Tales from the Riverbank project.

Remembering My Childhood Memories

Creating the Tales of the Riverbank

Do you have an interest in the environment or creativity and digital media, and want to get involved in this project?

If you’re between 13-21 and would like to be a part of creating the Tales of the Riverbank, get in touch!

I want to get involved

Project Legacy

There will be a lasting legacy through the collection of memories which will be shared on the internet through partners’ websites/YouTube etc.

Project Lead

Nicola Lynes
Community Engagement Officer Transforming the Trent Valley / Support Staffordshire

Tales from the River Bank Blog

Postcards from the Riverbank

1st February 2021 by admin

To connect our communities during this strange socially distanced time, the Tales from the Riverbank project wants to bring everyone together to share their childhood stories of play and fun along the riverbank.

Tales of the Riverbank

27th April 2020 by admin

We want to collect memories and stories of the River Trent and River Dove, the landscape and its people, but we need your help.

We want to hear your stories, experiences and reminiscences! This is your chance to have a go at some creative writing, and let us know about your lived experiences of the landscape. This could take any form – poetry, a short story, an interview, written or filmed pieces, spoken word, pictures, “stream of consciousness”, haikus, photos… the more creative the better!

Tales from the River Bank Projects

Future Projects

Details of future projects to be delivered by Transforming the Trent Valley and its partners as part of the Community Engagement project will be posted here soon.

Current Projects

Completed Projects

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