Coal Clough

We went to one of Kelly Loughlin's photograph scanning sessions at Coal Clough library. She is collecting a database of old photos of the area for the Ground UP project, and meeting local people to chat about their memories/photos. The photographs are all being scanned, to create a database of archive images.

Kelly was mid discussion with one person when we arrived, and another arrived soon after... and I joined in the conversation, finding out amongst other things, about the Cornish miners who moved into the area in the 1870's. It was really interesting to listen to the stories/take part in the discussion, and I found out a lot about a part of Burnley's history that had previously been unknown to me.

Some of the photos were of Kelly's own family, as she grew up in the area... and it was great to find out more about some of the amazing old photographs.

Caroline and Dave, Huckleberry Films

Photo Walk

Pushing the boundaries of SW Burnley

Dave and I both went on the photo walk last week, and really enjoyed meeting John, Pat and Simon. It was great to be able to come on the walk and just meet people and talk/listen to them - as we'd decided to just come and take part, rather than documenting it through film. 

I wonder if Jodie was ever found?

We planned initially to go to Scott park, but after we set off we all started discussing the boundaries of SW Burnley, with John asking if we could 'push the boundaries of the triangle' and suggesting we go and explore the industrial areas on the other side of Rossendale Rd.

It was interesting to see the busy area and walk through the buildings, butty vans and people having lunch... being part of the temporary community that lived there during the daytime. There were lots of cars in the parking areas, suggesting that a lot of the staff come from outside the area. I wonder how many SW Burnley residents work there? 

The group was keen to walk around the cemetery after this, and the nature of our location led naturally to talk about loss and death, and discussion of this being 'secret Burnley, the bit no-one really wants to talk about, but where everyone ends up'.

After exploring, the rain started... so we began to make our way back to the Fold. We had lunch in a cafe on the way, and reviewed our photos together. 

Caroline - Huckleberry Films

Photo Walk: The Sequel

Our First Photo Walk and I Saw Red!

We had a great walk yesterday - it was lots of fun, I think we all looked differently at our surroundings and we took some pretty good photos of the area. As Andy Ford (the photographer who worked with us) pointed out, as well as photographs we now have contacts with people who we have spoken to, taken photos of and who have seen us out and about. The more we do it the more normal it will become for us and for the community.
We've got a Flickr page and group now. Andy asked each of us to focus on something to help create a 'body of work'. I went for Red and it definitely helped me. The rest of the group also took some cracking shots which revealed so many different aspects of SW Burnley. I don't have access to them at the moment, but they will be uploaded and shared soon.
The plan is to meet again in two week's time on the 27th June 10.30-2.130 at the Fold. Please come and join us if you fancy it. Bring your own camera or use one of ours.
Cath

Photo Walk

People, Stuff and lots of Heart

I am working with the community charity shop based at the Fold at the moment. It's an amazing place, crammed full of stuff, with huge ambition and heart and is very busy. I had been meaning to go in for ages and as soon as I did ideas began popping in my head and I knew it was the place for me.

The shop is run by local people and not only do they raise money for local good causes, they provide an invaluable service to the local community by providing affordable clothes, toys and household goods. They put together packages for people who have nothing and sell fresh fruit and veg at affordable prices - they really need more space. The shop has become such a community hub they are organising their first coffee afternoon at the end of the month and I'm going to join them to do some making.

I don't know what will come out of our collaboration. Of course I had initial ideas about headdresses made of stuff from the shop (anyone who knows me will know my love of sticking stuff on my head), costumes, upcycling and sculpture, portraits of people connected to the shop.......but I know that part of this process is about supporting my development as an artist and part of that is about taking risks and experimenting. We may end up following some of the original ideas, but only if it's right for us as a group. For now, let's play!

I spent some time in the shop last week getting to know people, taking photos and drinking tea. It's a very welcoming place and there seems to be a real enthusiasm for getting involved. I also think we will have a few people for the photography sessions we are going to be running over the next few weeks.

Annette (below) who manages the shop will be part of the shortlisting group for the residencies tomorrow. The jacket and dress she's holding belonged to her Aunt who died recently.

 

 

Getting Familiar

 

I spent a couple of hours walking and driving around South West Burnley on Wednesday, mostly taking photos of signs. I felt I needed a reason to be in the area and meet people other than just being there. Having the camera with me and having a purpose gave me opportunities to chat with people (mostly in shops) and to explore streets, alleys and buildings from a different perspective.

I did feel very self conscious with my camera and was looked on with suspicion by a couple of people, but I reckoned if I did it with a huge friendly smile on my face I should be ok. This worked on the whole until I failed to ask one shopkeeper for permission who followed me down the road asking me why I was photographing his shop sign. I explained, but he was not happy with me saying curtly 'it would have been nice to have been asked'. I'm not surprised some people are suspicious, so many people must have been round over the past few years, taking photos, introducing new projects and asking questions and I will be conscious of that in future.

What I realised whilst walking round was the amazing diversity of buildings in the area and the history in the fabric of those buildings. I have always been going somewhere previously - on my way to a school or the community centre - and have never just been in, looked at and experienced SW Burnley. I wandered round streets and alleys, looked carefully at junction boxes and stonemasonry, read graffiti and sampled the goods from several bakeries.

I have worked out how different places connect to each other and am hoping I won't feel nearly so daft in future when I am talking to people about SW Burnley and not knowing where anything is!

I used the photos as a temporary sign for the South West Streets Museum facebook group.
All in all it was a very good day!
Cath