Chester-le-Stories
As our project draws to a close, we have been working with the community to create a final exhibition celebrating the stories, memories, and creativity shared throughout our time together. We are hosting a community event at Bullion Hall on 12 June 10.30 - 12, featuring a screening of the youth-created animation, excerpts from the ‘Chester-le-Stories’ podcast series, and displays of photographs, archive materials, and community contributions. The event will be open to the whole community, with all digital resources remaining freely available online and shared with local schools, libraries and community groups.
Our Project Manager Alison grew up in Chester-le-Street and has led on this project:
“I’ve enjoyed every minute of hearing stories about my home town over the past several months, and especially sharing these with children in the youth club and school! There is so much more to this town than I ever knew, and I’m delighted that through our podcasts and animation more people will get to hear these stories and get to see how the town has grown, changed and evolved. I’ve always felt the most important histories are those of people’s everyday lives - how they grew up, what it was like at home, at work and who is important to them. This is what fascinates me, and I hope our podcast series allows more people to share these memories.”
A major highlight of the project has been our work with Bullion Hall Youth Club’s junior section. Through weekly sessions, young people have explored the history of Chester-le-Street and learned to use professional recording equipment. Their curiosity and enthusiasm have helped create meaningful conversations between generations while developing valuable creative and communication skills.
The young people have also worked together to create an original animation inspired by stories gathered from community workshops. From memories of Horner’s sweet factory and the Lambton Lion Park baboon escape, to historic Shrove Tuesday football matches, the children have brought local history to life through storytelling, drawing, and animation.
Alongside this, our community workshops have engaged lots of local people, creating opportunities to share memories, explore local history, and record stories for the ‘Chester-le-Stories’ podcast series. A visit to The Story archive gave everyone a unique insight into Chester-le-Street’s past, while the workshops themselves have strengthened community connections, improved wellbeing, and fostered a renewed pride in local heritage.
Enjoy this limited series podcast and learn more about life in Chester-le-Street, from memories of working at Dainty Dinah's Toffee Factory (and how to deal with children demanding sweets!), to magistrates presiding over courts at the tender age of 16, and the post-war ‘squat’ housing in the town - there are so many stories to share. Available on YouTube and other podcast platforms, search for ‘Chester-le-Stories’. (Release date Mon 15th June)
When the podcasts go live, you will be able to find them by following this link to a playlist on our YouTube channel. Until then here’s a preview of some of our favourite highlights.
Thank you to everyone who has been part of this project, including everyone who has joined our sessions at Bullion Hall, the juniors at the youth club, the staff and pupils at Bullion Lane Primary School, as well as Beamish and The Story.
This work has been funded by the Heritage Fund, and has been made possible thanks to National Lottery players.