Re:discover Barrow is a project exploring the past, present and future of Duke Street Heritage Action Zone, Barrow-in-Furness.

Above: Duke Street Heritage Action Zone, courtesy of Barrow Archives and Local Studies Centre

Re:discover Barrow – An Armchair Walk

Re:discover Barrow – An Armchair Walk is an exploration and celebration of the rich and diverse history of Duke Street, Barrow-in-Furness.

Duke Street, and Cornwallis Street, are one of 14 High Street Heritage Action Zones in the North West, designated by Historic England. In 2019 Barrow Borough Council was awarded £1.1M of government funding by Historic England, for the scheme which will rejuvenate the heritage, retail and cultural offer for the town through the Re:discover Barrow project.  

For this first project Art Gene are working with Barrow Borough Council, to begin the fascinating research into the street, and Re:discover Barrow – An Armchair Walk is the first in a series of cultural events.

In 2021 Re:discover Barrow was awarded an additional £100,000 by Historic England for a 4 year programme of cultural events, centred on the High Street Heritage Action Zone including projects and events supported and delivered by arts organisations Art Gene, Theatre Factory, Signal Film & Media, Full of Noises, Sound Intervention, Barra Culture & Barrow Archives.

 

Re:discover Barrow – an Armchair Walk, shot and edited by Colin Aldred & Aerial Artwork.

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Re:discover Barrow – An Armchair Walk

Online film premier with special guests

Wednesday 7th July 2021, 6 – 7pm 

Online, Free

Join us as we look back at this important historical area, to uncover the businesses which traded on the street, and the people who lived and worked here throughout the years. Using historical research and local people’s memories, we‘ll tell the story of the street, with a focus on a handful of key properties – from it’s dusty beginnings, through wealth and wartime, to the Duke Street we know today.

This online event will premiere a short film, including drone footage of the present-day street, historical images, interviews, and local voices, and will be followed by discussion with an expert panel who have been involved in the project. Filmed and edited by Colin Aldred, Aerial Artwork.

What are your memories of Duke Street?

Have you lived, worked or shopped on Duke Street, or do you have a story passed down through generations? We want to hear from you!

We hope to find unusual and intriguing stories of shops or shop staff which will bring the history of Duke Street to life and tell the story through the memories of local people. Your stories will aid local archivists, historians and artists to research and record the history of this important street, as we create a new online Armchair Walk for Spring 2021, in partnership with Barrow Borough Council.
How to send us your memories… 

Leave us a voice message using the form below, call Art Gene on 01229 825085, or by email events@art-gene.co.uk with your story. You will be asked to leave your name and email address, so we can get back to you for more information, and credit you in the event.

(VOICE RECORDING HAS BEEN REMOVED FROM THIS PAGE)

Above: Duke Street Heritage Action Zone, courtesy of Barrow Archives and Local Studies Centre

 

Maddi Nicholson  Art Gene Artist Founder Director said:

“We’re excited to be kicking off the Re:discover Barrow project and are looking forward to hearing your memories of Duke Street. We hope to find unusual and intriguing stories of shops or shop staff which will bring the history of Duke Street to life and tell the story through the memories of local people.”