[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":912},["ShallowReactive",2],{"news-walk-the-planks-year-in-review":3},{"title":4,"summary":5,"primaryImage":6,"heroImage":25,"heroTagline":36,"newsTags":37,"postDate":51,"location":52,"author":53,"authorLink":54,"intro":62,"slices5":68,"presentedBy":180,"partners":185,"withRelatedNews":190,"relatedNews":191,"tags":908,"id":910,"publishedDate":911},"Celebrating Community and Culture: Walk the Plank’s Year in Review","Walk the Plank’s Executive Director Charlie Morrison reflects on our best moments of 2025, and what he's looking forward to most in 2026.",{"dimensions":7,"alt":10,"copyright":10,"url":11,"id":12,"edit":13,"meta":18},{"width":8,"height":9},4000,3000,null,"https:\u002F\u002Fimages.prismic.io\u002Fwalktheplank\u002FaUAG9HNYClf9oMOe_ManchesterDay%2C2025%2CMarkWaugh-100-.JPG?auto=format%2Ccompress&rect=324%2C0%2C4000%2C3000&w=4000&h=3000","aUAG9HNYClf9oMOe",{"x":14,"y":15,"zoom":16,"background":17},324,0,1,"transparent",{"dimensions":19,"alt":10,"copyright":10,"url":22,"id":12,"edit":23},{"width":20,"height":21},1200,630,"https:\u002F\u002Fimages.prismic.io\u002Fwalktheplank\u002FaUAG9HNYClf9oMOe_ManchesterDay%2C2025%2CMarkWaugh-100-.JPG?auto=format%2Ccompress&rect=0%2C312%2C4500%2C2363&w=1200&h=630",{"x":15,"y":24,"zoom":16,"background":17},312,{"dimensions":26,"alt":10,"copyright":10,"url":28,"id":12,"edit":29,"portrait":31},{"width":8,"height":27},2850,"https:\u002F\u002Fimages.prismic.io\u002Fwalktheplank\u002FaUAG9HNYClf9oMOe_ManchesterDay%2C2025%2CMarkWaugh-100-.JPG?auto=format,compress&rect=145,0,4211,3000&w=4000&h=2850",{"x":30,"y":15,"zoom":16,"background":17},145,{"dimensions":32,"alt":10,"copyright":10,"url":33,"id":12,"edit":34},{"width":27,"height":8},"https:\u002F\u002Fimages.prismic.io\u002Fwalktheplank\u002FaUAG9HNYClf9oMOe_ManchesterDay%2C2025%2CMarkWaugh-100-.JPG?auto=format,compress&rect=1181,0,2138,3000&w=2850&h=4000",{"x":35,"y":15,"zoom":16,"background":17},1181,[],[38],{"newsTag":39},{"id":40,"type":41,"tags":42,"lang":43,"slug":44,"first_publication_date":45,"last_publication_date":45,"uid":44,"data":46,"link_type":48,"key":49,"isBroken":50},"ZICbOhAAACEAg-h0","newsTag",[],"en-gb","thoughts","2023-06-07T14:59:09+0000",{"title":47},"Thoughts","Document","3de5ab68-01ce-4278-a5f3-a3b70f3fc911",false,"2025-12-15T00:00:00+0000","Cobden Works, 37 – 41 Cobden St, Salford M6 6WF","Charlie Morrison",{"id":55,"type":56,"tags":57,"lang":43,"slug":58,"first_publication_date":59,"last_publication_date":60,"uid":58,"link_type":48,"key":61,"isBroken":50},"ZJAZEhAAAGMcvoCK","team",[],"charlie-morrison","2023-06-19T09:01:58+0000","2025-05-07T09:56:52+0000","ed8d55e0-c6d8-44cb-ac8f-fcf97bdcb1b9",[63],{"type":64,"text":65,"spans":66,"direction":67},"paragraph","2025 has been my 6th year as Walk the Plank’s Executive Director. Looking back on the year it is difficult to pick a highlight – we have delivered some incredible shows – more in number this year than in each of the years since Covid. But it’s the nature of the shows that I feel most proud of – the ‘how’ and the ‘why’, as well as the ‘what’.",[],"ltr",[69,89,106,161],{"variation":70,"version":71,"items":72,"primary":73,"id":87,"slice_type":88,"slice_label":10},"default","initial",[],{"heading":10,"body":74},[75,78,81],{"type":64,"text":76,"spans":77,"direction":67},"People and communities want to feel proud, they want to feel connected, they thrive on recognition, celebration and the thrill that a cultural moment can bring to their doorstep. It is a privilege to step into a community space – be it a park, a street, a city centre – and deliver this, week in week out, and I know that this is what drives us all at Walk the Plank. ",[],{"type":64,"text":79,"spans":80,"direction":67},"No doubt you’ll have seen in this newsletter numerous quotes and testimonials across the year, but I don’t think many capture the reason for my pride in what we do as much as this one…",[],{"type":64,"text":82,"spans":83,"direction":67},"“It was an absolute pleasure to be part of Manchester Day with Walk the Plank this year. The atmosphere was electric, and the energy from the crowd was incredible — it’s always a joy to perform for such an engaged and diverse audience. From start to finish, the team were welcoming, supportive, and professional. Events like this are so important in bringing people together, and it was inspiring to see the city come alive with music, movement and colour.” - Nachda Sansaar",[84],{"start":15,"end":85,"type":86},457,"em","text_block$6d527cc9-e4cb-4570-9b50-80b28467ddd9","text_block",{"variation":70,"version":71,"items":90,"primary":91,"id":105,"slice_type":88,"slice_label":10},[],{"heading":10,"body":92},[93,96,99,102],{"type":64,"text":94,"spans":95,"direction":67},"In 2025 we have reached live audiences of over half a million across 68 locations – from Salford to Ashington, Lincoln to Barcelona.  ",[],{"type":64,"text":97,"spans":98,"direction":67},"Our Social Value policy means we invest in local talent and suppliers wherever possible – we have worked with an incredible 232 community and cultural groups - and we have been for the first time carbon neutral in both our Salford operations and on our travels, following our continued efforts to improve our sustainability credentials.",[],{"type":64,"text":100,"spans":101,"direction":67},"Our Emerging Creatives internship scheme is in its third year, and we welcomed another two talented early career cultural industry professional to our team for 6 months. In our efforts to develop new talent, we also delivered local placements on projects across the country, university placements and training. From metalwork to project management, performers to crew, we have hosted 112 placements in 2025 alone.",[],{"type":64,"text":103,"spans":104,"direction":67},"We have delivered small scale work to audiences of just 50, and major spectacle to crowds of over 150,000, and of course everything in between, each with care, professionalism, and skill, and with communities at the centre of each project and each plan.",[],"text_block$50bbfab7-c00a-49f0-8ab6-1fc3aaa0732c",{"variation":70,"version":71,"items":107,"primary":158,"id":159,"slice_type":160,"slice_label":10},[108,114,121,129,136,143,150],{"image":109,"caption":10},{"dimensions":110,"alt":10,"copyright":10,"url":111,"id":112,"edit":113},{"width":8,"height":27},"https:\u002F\u002Fimages.prismic.io\u002Fwalktheplank\u002FaUAG0HNYClf9oMOZ_ManchesterDay%2C2025%2CMarkWaugh-75-.JPG?auto=format,compress&rect=145,0,4211,3000&w=4000&h=2850","aUAG0HNYClf9oMOZ",{"x":30,"y":15,"zoom":16,"background":17},{"image":115,"caption":10},{"dimensions":116,"alt":10,"copyright":10,"url":117,"id":118,"edit":119},{"width":8,"height":27},"https:\u002F\u002Fimages.prismic.io\u002Fwalktheplank\u002FaUAIDnNYClf9oMPC_HalloweenintheGardens%2CCultureWarrington%2C2025%2CRobWatson-115-.jpg?auto=format,compress&rect=193,0,5614,4000&w=4000&h=2850","aUAIDnNYClf9oMPC",{"x":120,"y":15,"zoom":16,"background":17},193,{"image":122,"caption":10},{"dimensions":123,"alt":124,"copyright":10,"url":125,"id":126,"edit":127},{"width":8,"height":27},"A giant open dhol drum stage with Punjabi Roots Dancers dressed with blue and pink ","https:\u002F\u002Fimages.prismic.io\u002Fwalktheplank\u002FaGPfVnfc4bHWi6uv_IMG_7343.jpg?auto=format,compress&rect=174,0,5040,3591&w=4000&h=2850","aGPfVnfc4bHWi6uv",{"x":128,"y":15,"zoom":16,"background":17},174,{"image":130,"caption":10},{"dimensions":131,"alt":10,"copyright":10,"url":132,"id":133,"edit":134},{"width":8,"height":27},"https:\u002F\u002Fimages.prismic.io\u002Fwalktheplank\u002FaSRWXmGnmrmGqLMg_IGNITERochdaleRochdaleBoroughCouncil2025-43-.jpg?auto=format,compress&rect=68,0,1965,1400&w=4000&h=2850","aSRWXmGnmrmGqLMg",{"x":135,"y":15,"zoom":16,"background":17},68,{"image":137,"caption":10},{"dimensions":138,"alt":10,"copyright":10,"url":139,"id":140,"edit":141},{"width":8,"height":27},"https:\u002F\u002Fimages.prismic.io\u002Fwalktheplank\u002FaRNuFbpReVYa4WdT_251025_halloweenmcr_333_-The-Vain-Carl-Sukonik-%40thevainphotos--1-.jpg?auto=format,compress&rect=96,0,2808,2001&w=4000&h=2850","aRNuFbpReVYa4WdT",{"x":142,"y":15,"zoom":16,"background":17},96,{"image":144,"caption":10},{"dimensions":145,"alt":146,"copyright":10,"url":147,"id":148,"edit":149},{"width":8,"height":27},"A metal replica of a steam train with wings  at night with red fireworks going off behind it.","https:\u002F\u002Fimages.prismic.io\u002Fwalktheplank\u002FaUAFhXNYClf9oMN2_GhostTrainStockton2025MarkWaugh-87-.JPG?auto=format,compress&rect=145,0,4211,3000&w=4000&h=2850","aUAFhXNYClf9oMN2",{"x":30,"y":15,"zoom":16,"background":17},{"image":151,"caption":10},{"dimensions":152,"alt":153,"copyright":10,"url":154,"id":155,"edit":156},{"width":8,"height":27},"Two people dressed in blue, black and red costumes smiling in a parade","https:\u002F\u002Fimages.prismic.io\u002Fwalktheplank\u002FaIn2i1GsbswqTeRd_MWjly25-019067.JPG?auto=format,compress&rect=48,0,1404,1000&w=4000&h=2850","aIn2i1GsbswqTeRd",{"x":157,"y":15,"zoom":16,"background":17},48,{},"image_carousel_block$3308ca84-af13-4476-b7d4-0c8495d26a19","image_carousel_block",{"variation":70,"version":71,"items":162,"primary":163,"id":179,"slice_type":88,"slice_label":10},[],{"heading":10,"body":164},[165,168,171,174,176],{"type":64,"text":166,"spans":167,"direction":67},"2026 will be another incredible year as we build on this. I’m particularly looking forward to our immersive BODY show coming to Oxford in January, Children’s Capital of Culture in Rotherham, Blyth Festival of Energy in March… which alongside an incredible programme of large scale installations, will feature a session for young people led by the first British person in space, astronaut Helen Sharman (!), and to delivering a major programme of activity throughout the year, right on our doorstep, for Salford 100. It will be quite the year.",[],{"type":64,"text":169,"spans":170,"direction":67},"To wrap up 2025, I want to give thanks to our clients and partners, our supporters, our community collaborators, but mostly I’d like to take this moment to thank our Walk the Plank team – our crews and designers, dancers and pyrotechnicians, and our 18 strong core team who turn up each day and do the most amazing work to make all of the wonderful ideas and happenings a reality.",[],{"type":64,"text":172,"spans":173,"direction":67},"Thank you! I’ll look forward to seeing you in 2026 for another exciting year.",[],{"type":64,"text":53,"spans":175,"direction":67},[],{"type":64,"text":177,"spans":178,"direction":67},"Executive Director",[],"text_block$50ace121-0b15-40ae-b00e-590738b7f6c5",[181],{"link":182,"label":10,"logo":184},{"link_type":183},"Web",{},[186],{"link":187,"label":10,"logo":189},{"link_type":188},"Any",{},true,[192,425,566,794],{"id":193,"postDate":194,"type":195,"uid":196,"author":197,"presentedBy":198,"authorLink":202,"slices5":209,"withRelatedNews":190,"title":374,"relatedNews":375,"primaryImage":393,"summary":404,"heroImage":405,"location":415,"partners":416,"newsTags":420},"aSg4KBIAACMA6cJF","2025-11-27T12:00:00+0000","news","reflections-on-ghost-train","Alice Carter",[199],{"link":200,"label":10,"logo":201},{"link_type":183},{},{"id":203,"type":56,"tags":204,"lang":43,"slug":205,"first_publication_date":206,"last_publication_date":207,"uid":205,"link_type":48,"key":208,"isBroken":50},"Zco-5BEAALRjFi3A",[],"alice-carter","2024-02-12T15:54:27+0000","2025-05-07T10:19:28+0000","3209c20b-95f6-4c68-b369-6dd319b95965",[210,240,268,291,309,323],{"variation":70,"version":71,"items":211,"primary":212,"id":239,"slice_type":88,"slice_label":10},[],{"heading":10,"body":213},[214,233,236],{"type":64,"text":215,"spans":216,"direction":67},"In September 2025, Walk the Plank worked with Avanti Display’s creative team to produce Ghost Train in Stockton and Darlington, one of the largest commissions in the UK in recent years. The result of two years of collaboration with Avanti Display’s Bill Palmer, Andy Plant, Chris Squire and Bryan Tweddle, this ambitious project challenged us to commemorate the 200th anniversary of the world’s first passenger railway. Ghost Train featured fire, music, projection, performance and close work with multiple communities and schools from across the region to create a moment of national significance deeply rooted in the identity of the Northeast. ",[217,228,230],{"start":218,"end":219,"type":220,"data":221},88,99,"hyperlink",{"id":222,"type":223,"tags":224,"lang":43,"slug":225,"first_publication_date":226,"last_publication_date":227,"uid":225,"link_type":48,"isBroken":50},"aM0hbhAAACUAupif","project",[],"ghost-train","2025-09-19T10:13:39+0000","2025-11-19T16:04:24+0000",{"start":218,"end":219,"type":229},"strong",{"start":231,"end":232,"type":86},126,127,{"type":64,"text":234,"spans":235,"direction":67},"Celebrating history is never just about looking back, it’s about understanding how the past continues to shape the places we live in today. Walk the Plank’s work is grounded in the belief that creativity can illuminate the stories we inherit, and that bringing people together through shared cultural experiences can help strengthen a sense of place. ",[],{"type":64,"text":237,"spans":238,"direction":67},"For me personally, Ghost Train was the largest-scale production I have ever worked on, not only in terms of creative ambition, but also the historical and social responsibility underpinning the work. Ghost Train perfectly encapsulated the challenges and joys of balancing heritage with new creative expression. As the finale to a year-long celebration, the project had to honour the birth of the passenger railway while also reflecting on the huge changes the UK has undergone since the Industrial Revolution. In the Northeast especially, the legacy of engineering, industry and ingenuity runs deep, and we felt a strong duty to celebrate both the region’s heritage and the innovators shaping its future. ",[],"text_block$18fe708c-d884-44da-8456-318f4f50560f",{"variation":70,"version":71,"items":241,"primary":242,"id":266,"slice_type":267,"slice_label":10},[],{"videoUrl":243,"caption":247},{"embed_url":244,"type":245,"version":246,"title":247,"author_name":248,"author_url":249,"provider_name":250,"provider_url":251,"thumbnail_url":252,"thumbnail_width":253,"thumbnail_height":254,"html":255,"is_plus":256,"account_type":257,"width":258,"height":259,"duration":260,"description":261,"thumbnail_url_with_play_button":262,"upload_date":263,"video_id":264,"uri":265},"https:\u002F\u002Fvimeo.com\u002F1143363846?fl=pl&fe=sh","video","1.0","Ghost Train: The Making of a Spectacle","Walk the Plank","https:\u002F\u002Fvimeo.com\u002Fwalktheplank","Vimeo","https:\u002F\u002Fvimeo.com\u002F","https:\u002F\u002Fi.vimeocdn.com\u002Fvideo\u002F2091531422-51cfd211b9ffb479bec873c4bcdd4bbdb83cedf293e278dd37e41f1f5d9a2a75-d_295x166?region=us",295,166,"\u003Ciframe src=\"https:\u002F\u002Fplayer.vimeo.com\u002Fvideo\u002F1143363846?app_id=122963\" width=\"426\" height=\"240\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"autoplay; fullscreen; picture-in-picture; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" title=\"Ghost Train: The Making of a Spectacle\">\u003C\u002Fiframe>","0","pro",426,240,1025,"Commissioned by Darlington Borough Council, Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council, and S&DR200, Ghost Train was brought to life through two years of collaboration between Avanti Display and Walk the Plank.","https:\u002F\u002Fi.vimeocdn.com\u002Ffilter\u002Foverlay?src0=https%3A%2F%2Fi.vimeocdn.com%2Fvideo%2F2091531422-51cfd211b9ffb479bec873c4bcdd4bbdb83cedf293e278dd37e41f1f5d9a2a75-d_295x166%3Fregion%3Dus&src1=http%3A%2F%2Ff.vimeocdn.com%2Fp%2Fimages%2Fcrawler_play.png","2025-12-04 04:08:38",1143363846,"\u002Fvideos\u002F1143363846","video_block$fd961d29-5958-4fcf-aeca-3f06e4846ba9","video_block",{"variation":70,"version":71,"items":269,"primary":270,"id":290,"slice_type":88,"slice_label":10},[],{"heading":10,"body":271},[272,275,278,281,284,287],{"type":64,"text":273,"spans":274,"direction":67},"At its heart was a reimagined full-scale Loco Number One, painstakingly researched and built by Avanti Display, followed by six Nissan Micra “carriages,” each transformed into an installation referencing a technological milestone that has reshaped our world over the past 200 years — from the power of steam to the creation of unified “railway time” and advances in space exploration. The train honours the innovation of 200 years ago; the Micras nod to the region’s more recent industrial story; and the final leap into space celebrates the present and future innovators who continue to push boundaries. ",[],{"type":64,"text":276,"spans":277,"direction":67},"The entire train was fuelled by ‘coal of the future’, created by more than 900 Darlington primary school children, displaying their ideas for future inventions that could change the world. Think flying cars and climate change reversers!  ",[],{"type":64,"text":279,"spans":280,"direction":67},"From the outset, we all – the creative and production team - recognised that the success of this project relied on being rooted in place. The story of the Stockton & Darlington Railway is not an abstract piece of history: it belongs to the people who live and work in these towns today. That meant embedding collaboration at every stage, working with residents, schools and local creatives to shape a narrative that felt true to the region. This way of working is fundamental to Walk the Plank’s approach: championing the role of arts, culture and heritage in placemaking by centring local voices, uncovering hidden histories and balancing tradition with new creative expression. ",[],{"type":64,"text":282,"spans":283,"direction":67},"The scale of the community involvement in Ghost Train speaks for itself: a creative team, crew and cast of more than 70, alongside 30 community volunteers, 1,000 primary school pupils, and 100 students from the Northern School of Art. Their involvement shaped the show’s tone and emotional resonance. Each contribution - whether artistic, performative or practical - helped connect the historic railway story to the lived experience of people in the Northeast today. ",[],{"type":64,"text":285,"spans":286,"direction":67},"One moment in particular captured the power of this approach: a 10-year-old participant from Darlington shared that his great-great-grandfather had played cornet in the band aboard that very first passenger journey. It was wonderful, on the day of our event, to feel the presence of that first journey, and it reinforced our shared knowledge that Ghost Train was part of an ongoing story that bridges past, present and future. ",[],{"type":64,"text":288,"spans":289,"direction":67}," ",[],"text_block$7e3d365f-09ef-48e4-af8d-5639822adc48",{"variation":70,"version":71,"items":292,"primary":293,"id":307,"slice_type":308,"slice_label":10},[],{"image":294,"caption":10},{"dimensions":295,"alt":297,"copyright":10,"url":298,"id":299,"edit":300,"portrait":302},{"width":8,"height":296},2000,"Ghost Train Stockton, Marlon Bonilla, 2025","https:\u002F\u002Fimages.prismic.io\u002Fwalktheplank\u002FaShERHNYClf9nih0_GhostTrainStockton2025MarlonBonilla-31-.jpg?auto=format%2Ccompress&rect=0%2C591%2C3632%2C1816&w=4000&h=2000","aShERHNYClf9nih0",{"x":15,"y":301,"zoom":16,"background":17},591,{"dimensions":303,"alt":297,"copyright":10,"url":304,"id":299,"edit":305},{"width":27,"height":8},"https:\u002F\u002Fimages.prismic.io\u002Fwalktheplank\u002FaShERHNYClf9nih0_GhostTrainStockton2025MarlonBonilla-31-.jpg?auto=format%2Ccompress&rect=883%2C0%2C1865%2C2618&w=2850&h=4000",{"x":306,"y":15,"zoom":16,"background":17},883,"full_width_image_block$eb26bb47-e992-4845-8fa2-70a322f271f1","full_width_image_block",{"variation":70,"version":71,"items":310,"primary":311,"id":322,"slice_type":88,"slice_label":10},[],{"heading":10,"body":312},[313,316],{"type":64,"text":314,"spans":315,"direction":67},"As we now move into evaluation, we are beginning to think about the legacy of the work. For the communities involved, legacy means ensuring these stories continue to be shared and celebrated. For us, it means exploring how we can maintain our relationships with the Northern School of Art students as they transition into professional creative careers; and investigating ways for the train and its carriages to be displayed publicly in 2026, allowing more people to engage with the installations and the remarkable history behind them. ",[],{"type":64,"text":317,"spans":318,"direction":67},"Ghost Train was undoubtedly a celebration of the region’s heritage but for Walk the Plank its long-term success depends on its ability to inspire. Our hope is that this project sparks curiosity, pride and imagination, encouraging future innovators to see their own potential, strengthening the cultural identity of Darlington and Stockton for years to come. Through work like Ghost Train, we aim to ensure that the stories of the past continue to fuel the creativity and innovation of the future. ",[319],{"start":320,"end":321,"type":86},387,388,"text_block$c4f67125-54ad-4950-bd2a-fc34baa64ea1",{"variation":70,"version":71,"items":324,"primary":372,"id":373,"slice_type":160,"slice_label":10},[325,332,338,344,350,357,364],{"image":326,"caption":10},{"dimensions":327,"alt":328,"copyright":10,"url":329,"id":330,"edit":331},{"width":8,"height":27},"A metal replica of a steam train with wings and golden fireworks behind. ","https:\u002F\u002Fimages.prismic.io\u002Fwalktheplank\u002FaNqe4J5xUNkB1OoB_GhostTrainStockton2025MarkWaugh-149-.JPG?auto=format,compress&rect=145,0,4211,3000&w=4000&h=2850","aNqe4J5xUNkB1OoB",{"x":30,"y":15,"zoom":16,"background":17},{"image":333,"caption":10},{"dimensions":334,"alt":10,"copyright":10,"url":335,"id":336,"edit":337},{"width":8,"height":27},"https:\u002F\u002Fimages.prismic.io\u002Fwalktheplank\u002FaNqicJ5xUNkB1Ot1_GhostTrainStockton2025MarkWaugh-66-.JPG?auto=format,compress&rect=145,0,4211,3000&w=4000&h=2850","aNqicJ5xUNkB1Ot1",{"x":30,"y":15,"zoom":16,"background":17},{"image":339,"caption":10},{"dimensions":340,"alt":10,"copyright":10,"url":341,"id":342,"edit":343},{"width":8,"height":27},"https:\u002F\u002Fimages.prismic.io\u002Fwalktheplank\u002FaNUZu55xUNkB1GGe_GhostTrain_Darlington_200925_03.JPG?auto=format,compress&rect=96,0,2807,2000&w=4000&h=2850","aNUZu55xUNkB1GGe",{"x":142,"y":15,"zoom":16,"background":17},{"image":345,"caption":10},{"dimensions":346,"alt":10,"copyright":10,"url":347,"id":348,"edit":349},{"width":8,"height":27},"https:\u002F\u002Fimages.prismic.io\u002Fwalktheplank\u002FaNqh955xUNkB1OtP_GhostTrainStockton2025MarkWaugh-15-.JPG?auto=format,compress&rect=145,0,4211,3000&w=4000&h=2850","aNqh955xUNkB1OtP",{"x":30,"y":15,"zoom":16,"background":17},{"image":351,"caption":10},{"dimensions":352,"alt":10,"copyright":10,"url":353,"id":354,"edit":355},{"width":8,"height":27},"https:\u002F\u002Fimages.prismic.io\u002Fwalktheplank\u002FaNUZ2p5xUNkB1GGl_GhostTrain_Darlington_200925_95.JPG?auto=format,compress&rect=155,0,2691,1917&w=4000&h=2850","aNUZ2p5xUNkB1GGl",{"x":356,"y":15,"zoom":16,"background":17},155,{"image":358,"caption":10},{"dimensions":359,"alt":360,"copyright":10,"url":361,"id":362,"edit":363},{"width":8,"height":27},"A metal replica of a steam train with wings in front of a town hall clock.","https:\u002F\u002Fimages.prismic.io\u002Fwalktheplank\u002FaNUZY55xUNkB1GF4_GhostTrain_Darlington_200925_86.JPG?auto=format,compress&rect=96,0,2807,2000&w=4000&h=2850","aNUZY55xUNkB1GF4",{"x":142,"y":15,"zoom":16,"background":17},{"image":365,"caption":10},{"dimensions":366,"alt":367,"copyright":10,"url":368,"id":369,"edit":370},{"width":8,"height":27},"Five cars with small performance stages on them, one adored with a engine, one a trumpet and one a telescope processing in the night, all with performers on. ","https:\u002F\u002Fimages.prismic.io\u002Fwalktheplank\u002FaNUZ-p5xUNkB1GHJ_GhostTrain_Darlington_200925_173.JPG?auto=format,compress&rect=169,0,2662,1897&w=4000&h=2850","aNUZ-p5xUNkB1GHJ",{"x":371,"y":15,"zoom":16,"background":17},169,{},"image_carousel_block$733da32b-185f-4262-a0b3-b46fcd059b10","Celebrating History, Heritage and Innovation: Reflections on Ghost Train",[376,385],{"entry":377},{"id":378,"type":195,"tags":379,"lang":43,"slug":380,"first_publication_date":381,"last_publication_date":382,"uid":383,"link_type":48,"key":384,"isBroken":50},"aSgtFxIAACMA6a92",[],"how-animating-ashington-restarted-a-mining-towns-creative-heartbeat","2025-11-27T11:15:14+0000","2025-12-16T15:13:59+0000","mining-towns-creative-heartbeat-animating-ashington","6471e109-b110-4bb4-b810-03babf7c6a42",{"entry":386},{"id":387,"type":195,"tags":388,"lang":43,"slug":389,"first_publication_date":390,"last_publication_date":391,"uid":389,"link_type":48,"key":392,"isBroken":50},"aMrczBAAACUAt2bt",[],"nothing-about-us-without-us","2025-10-27T14:26:14+0000","2025-12-18T09:54:32+0000","f1b32496-cd69-4844-827d-30f05e5da14c",{"dimensions":394,"alt":395,"copyright":10,"url":396,"id":397,"edit":398,"meta":399},{"width":8,"height":9},"A huge triangle stage with a replica of a steam train in metal attached to tracks going along the sides. The stage filled with smoke. ","https:\u002F\u002Fimages.prismic.io\u002Fwalktheplank\u002FaNqe1Z5xUNkB1On8_GhostTrainStockton2025MarkWaugh-81-.JPG?auto=format%2Ccompress&rect=0%2C0%2C4000%2C3000&w=4000&h=3000","aNqe1Z5xUNkB1On8",{"x":15,"y":15,"zoom":16,"background":17},{"dimensions":400,"alt":395,"copyright":10,"url":401,"id":397,"edit":402},{"width":20,"height":21},"https:\u002F\u002Fimages.prismic.io\u002Fwalktheplank\u002FaNqe1Z5xUNkB1On8_GhostTrainStockton2025MarkWaugh-81-.JPG?auto=format%2Ccompress&rect=0%2C637%2C4500%2C2363&w=1200&h=630",{"x":15,"y":403,"zoom":16,"background":17},637,"Producer Alice Carter reflects on Ghost Train, a project celebrating history, heritage and innovation.",{"dimensions":406,"alt":395,"copyright":10,"url":407,"id":397,"edit":408,"portrait":409},{"width":8,"height":27},"https:\u002F\u002Fimages.prismic.io\u002Fwalktheplank\u002FaNqe1Z5xUNkB1On8_GhostTrainStockton2025MarkWaugh-81-.JPG?auto=format%2Ccompress&rect=0%2C0%2C4211%2C3000&w=4000&h=2850",{"x":15,"y":15,"zoom":16,"background":17},{"dimensions":410,"alt":395,"copyright":10,"url":411,"id":397,"edit":412},{"width":27,"height":8},"https:\u002F\u002Fimages.prismic.io\u002Fwalktheplank\u002FaNqe1Z5xUNkB1On8_GhostTrainStockton2025MarkWaugh-81-.JPG?auto=format%2Ccompress&rect=0%2C902%2C1495%2C2098&w=2850&h=4000",{"x":15,"y":413,"zoom":414,"background":17},902,1.43,"Stockton and Darlington",[417],{"link":418,"label":10,"logo":419},{"link_type":188},{},[421],{"newsTag":422},{"id":40,"type":41,"tags":423,"lang":43,"slug":44,"first_publication_date":45,"last_publication_date":45,"uid":44,"link_type":48,"key":424,"isBroken":50},[],"70a85148-d2ac-43b2-abf3-915400e7aea5",{"id":426,"postDate":427,"type":195,"uid":428,"author":197,"presentedBy":429,"authorLink":433,"slices5":436,"intro":511,"withRelatedNews":190,"title":515,"relatedNews":516,"primaryImage":535,"summary":546,"heroImage":547,"partners":557,"newsTags":561},"aKdHDhEAACoA-TBy","2025-08-27T23:00:00+0000","access-in-the-outdoor-arts",[430],{"link":431,"label":10,"logo":432},{"link_type":183},{},{"id":203,"type":56,"tags":434,"lang":43,"slug":205,"first_publication_date":206,"last_publication_date":207,"uid":205,"link_type":48,"key":435,"isBroken":50},[],"8681941a-1031-4e87-b334-d5c682c33fc8",[437,460,488],{"variation":70,"version":71,"items":438,"primary":439,"id":459,"slice_type":88,"slice_label":10},[],{"heading":10,"body":440},[441,444,447,450,453,456],{"type":64,"text":442,"spans":443,"direction":67},"These could range from physical, geographical, socio-economic barriers to non-visible community specific barriers.  ",[],{"type":64,"text":445,"spans":446,"direction":67},"Celebrating and championing access to the arts, especially for underrepresented demographics, is something I am particularly passionate about and, throughout my career, I have found myself drawn to projects and artists that hold inclusivity and accessibility as a central pillar of their practice. This has included, during covid, producing and touring a ‘sort of dance’ show centring fat masculine and non-binary bodies and working with Unlimited and ND artist Byron Vincent to develop the UK’s first neurodiverse accessible rave - Disco Neurotica.  ",[],{"type":64,"text":448,"spans":449,"direction":67},"It was my desire to continue developing innovative creative projects with an accessible minded ethos that appealed to me about Walk the Plank, and since joining the team just over 18 months ago I have seen exactly how Walk the Plank works to embed access into each project we deliver.  ",[],{"type":64,"text":451,"spans":452,"direction":67},"Most recently within Walk the Plank’s Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging (DEIB) Working Group we have been discussing how access intersects with the different areas of our work. ",[],{"type":64,"text":454,"spans":455,"direction":67},"There is an immediate freedom that comes from working outdoors, untethered by the physical constraints of a building, that is exciting. The scope of what you can dream up feels wider and taller, with no building regulations or faulty lifts to prevent people from accessing the work you dream up.  ",[],{"type":64,"text":457,"spans":458,"direction":67},"Access will look different from project to project. Regardless, I have found it crucial to think about access during the planning stage of a project and embed it into every step of that project’s creation, delivery and evaluation. This ranges from budget creation, to the artists we decide to work with, the conversations we have with those artists to understand both their individual needs and communicate the project’s creative approach, to how we collaborate with the communities we’re working in to better understand and address their specific needs.  ",[],"text_block$59d791dc-a99e-4dcf-bf01-270b3dc945bc",{"variation":70,"version":71,"items":461,"primary":486,"id":487,"slice_type":160,"slice_label":10},[462,470,477],{"image":463,"caption":10},{"dimensions":464,"alt":465,"copyright":10,"url":466,"id":467,"edit":468},{"width":8,"height":27},"Three performers wearing a pink, purple and blue outfit and holding drums","https:\u002F\u002Fimages.prismic.io\u002Fwalktheplank\u002Fa3c38743-b500-44ea-bcae-264f36e22287_MWjun22-298639.jpeg?auto=format,compress&rect=112,0,3276,2334&w=4000&h=2850","ZHcrhhAAACYAkjJW",{"x":469,"y":15,"zoom":16,"background":17},112,{"image":471,"caption":10},{"dimensions":472,"alt":473,"copyright":10,"url":474,"id":475,"edit":476},{"width":8,"height":27},"A close up images of a drummer smiling in the sunshine with colourful eye makeup and colour on","https:\u002F\u002Fimages.prismic.io\u002Fwalktheplank\u002FaCHWdydWJ-7kR7MF_ManchesterDayOnHoliday%2CMarkWaugh-62-.JPG?auto=format,compress&rect=145,0,4211,3000&w=4000&h=2850","aCHWdydWJ-7kR7MF",{"x":30,"y":15,"zoom":16,"background":17},{"image":478,"caption":10},{"dimensions":479,"alt":480,"copyright":481,"url":482,"id":483,"edit":484},{"width":8,"height":27},"A group of children dressed up and smiling into the camera","Mark Waugh, Manchester Day 2010","https:\u002F\u002Fimages.prismic.io\u002Fwalktheplank\u002Fd59b4f77-fce6-4168-b1be-d4e6aae743e6_Manchester+Day+Parade.+WTP.MCC+%28c%29Mark+Waugh.JPG?auto=format,compress&rect=181,0,5255,3744&w=4000&h=2850","ZNyeCxEAADsYx8_Z",{"x":485,"y":15,"zoom":16,"background":17},181,{},"image_carousel_block$01e5b8fe-ea61-43b3-be1b-318ad4dd62ca",{"variation":70,"version":71,"items":489,"primary":490,"id":510,"slice_type":88,"slice_label":10},[],{"heading":10,"body":491},[492,495,498,501,504,507],{"type":64,"text":493,"spans":494,"direction":67},"As a Producer, I have found the most success when I am honest with myself and the people I am working with about the resources available and what we can realistically achieve. In my experience, this may mean identifying one or maybe two barriers to focus on and using your resources to effectively put in place funds and initiatives to support the community most affected by those barriers. One of the worst things you can do at the project planning stage with regards to access is overpromise and underdeliver.  ",[],{"type":64,"text":496,"spans":497,"direction":67},"I feel strongly that best practice should be to work collaboratively with people with lived experience of the access needs you are addressing. It is also helpful to research what work is already happening in the area you’re working in and look to support rather than ignore that work. Partnering with local organisations or individuals within the community allows you to contribute to the ongoing ecology of the area, enhancing initiatives and agendas that last beyond the immediate scope of your project. ",[],{"type":64,"text":499,"spans":500,"direction":67},"Recently myself and some of the Walk the Plank team were lucky enough to attend Graeae Theatre’s Beyond Artist Showcase, spotlighting work from Deaf, Disabled and Neurodivergent artists.  ",[],{"type":64,"text":502,"spans":503,"direction":67},"As part of the day, we chatted to the Graeae leadership team about the organisations work around and use of Access Riders, discussing their increasing prevalence within the culture industries and best practice for supporting artists, collaborators and audiences’ with access needs.  ",[],{"type":64,"text":505,"spans":506,"direction":67},"The result is that in DEIB we have begun to examine whether a formalised access rider could be a useful tool in supporting Walk the Plank’s communication with artists and audiences. It’s an ongoing process which, as all good conversations should, raises more questions than answers, opening up new areas for exploration and allows Walk the Plank and myself to continue developing and embedding access at the heart of our creative practice.  ",[],{"type":64,"text":508,"spans":509,"direction":67},"Ultimately, we feel that culture is vital for a healthy and rich society but that is only meaningful if we realise that dream for all and not just some. ",[],"text_block$b4b3c99a-db1e-4c88-a62e-80139673c36f",[512],{"type":64,"text":513,"spans":514,"direction":67},"Access is a term that can be defined in many ways. 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As a freelance creative producer who has worked with Walk the Plank in many roles over the past twenty-five years, I have seen how the Fire Garden literally lights up people and places. In Derby, I sought out local musicians Sinfonia Viva to bring their orchestral sounds into the Fire Garden; at Woodhorn in Ashington we animated the pithead with a fire installation that attracted thousands to this former colliery site, and there’s been many other fantastic fiery experiences along the way.  ",[589],{"start":590,"end":14,"type":220,"data":591},313,{"id":592,"type":223,"tags":593,"lang":43,"slug":594,"first_publication_date":595,"last_publication_date":596,"uid":594,"link_type":48,"isBroken":50},"ZJgwKhEAACEAoyDZ",[],"fire-garden","2023-06-26T08:07:39+0000","2026-04-14T11:13:09+0000",{"type":64,"text":598,"spans":599,"direction":67},"What matters to me is to make new work happen, and in 2024, we commissioned three new kinetic fire sculptures – we invited artistic proposals that included movement and sound as well as fire. 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So, when she started to tell me about her next idea – growing out of In the Balance in its design but with quite a different focus in terms of its inspiration – I was excited. Bubbles of Love has been borne out of love and loss … “It’s about the cyclical, dizzying nature of love, and the many creative ways we express it to each other. Not just lovers and partners, but also our kids, parents, siblings, friends, and guides” explains Felix. A revolving cascade of fiery spheres rise and fall in a spinning geometric constellation standing 5m high, with a soundtrack created by Yosi Horikawa.  It will be revealed for the first time as the centrepiece to Ignite, Rochdale’s Festival of Fire, 21 until 23 November  and I’m very excited to see how people respond to this work when it’s sited in public space outside Rochdale Town Hall.    ",[651,654,657],{"start":652,"end":653,"type":86},339,353,{"start":655,"end":656,"type":86},501,694,{"start":658,"end":659,"type":229},925,932,{"type":64,"text":661,"spans":662,"direction":67},"Felix and I are both passionate about creating more opportunities for women to work with metal, so alongside the commission to make the sculpture, Walk the Plank is supporting a weekend workshop 11 and 12 October aimed at professional women artists who are interested in developing their practice in metal. Felix will lead this two-day exploration of making beautiful metalwork – with welding equipment and workshop space at the company’s Salford HQ, Cobden Works.  ",[663],{"start":664,"end":665,"type":220,"data":666},407,415,{"id":667,"type":668,"tags":669,"lang":10,"slug":670,"first_publication_date":10,"last_publication_date":10,"link_type":48,"isBroken":190},"aKMmwBEAACoA82BI","broken_type",[],"-",{"type":64,"text":672,"spans":673,"direction":67},"Previously in Walk the Plank’s workshop, artists like Peter Mountain, Hannelora Johansson and Kevin Carroll have fabricated, welded, bent and plasma cut beautiful sculptural objects out of steel and copper – from the dragon’s head on the prow of the Viking Ship to the intricacies of a pedal-powered replica of Stephenson’s Rocket or a giant burnished sun and moon that hang from a crane. ",[674,683,693],{"start":675,"end":676,"type":220,"data":677},250,261,{"id":678,"type":223,"tags":679,"lang":43,"slug":680,"first_publication_date":681,"last_publication_date":682,"uid":680,"link_type":48,"isBroken":50},"ZJv2PBEAACMAssk-",[],"the-flaming-viking-ship","2023-07-03T10:48:40+0000","2025-01-27T12:37:07+0000",{"start":684,"end":685,"type":220,"data":686},286,330,{"id":687,"type":223,"tags":688,"lang":43,"slug":689,"first_publication_date":690,"last_publication_date":691,"uid":692,"link_type":48,"isBroken":50},"ZJLAwhEAACcAEHua",[],"the-people-powered-rocket","2023-06-26T08:10:08+0000","2025-05-12T10:55:14+0000","people-powered-rocket",{"start":694,"end":695,"type":220,"data":696},352,364,{"id":697,"type":223,"tags":698,"lang":43,"slug":699,"first_publication_date":700,"last_publication_date":701,"uid":702,"link_type":48,"isBroken":50},"ZJvvdREAACIAsr2O",[],"the-moon-and-stars","2023-07-26T09:57:59+0000","2026-01-30T10:35:36+0000","moon-and-stars",{"type":64,"text":704,"spans":705,"direction":67},"We want to find the next generation of artists excited about working in metal, and aware of the challenges that might face women in a traditionally male-dominated sector, Felix would like to offer free spaces to 6 women to attend her workshop weekend. If you are interested and would like more information, please contact liz@walktheplank.co.uk . ",[706,710],{"start":707,"end":675,"type":220,"data":708},234,{"id":667,"type":668,"tags":709,"lang":10,"slug":670,"first_publication_date":10,"last_publication_date":10,"link_type":48,"isBroken":190},[],{"start":711,"end":712,"type":220,"data":713},322,344,{"link_type":183,"url":714,"target":715},"mailto:liz@walktheplank.co.uk","_blank","text_block$24e35862-46bd-4d39-b56e-6236d80d055c",{"variation":70,"version":71,"items":718,"primary":719,"id":732,"slice_type":267,"slice_label":10},[],{"videoUrl":720,"caption":731},{"embed_url":721,"type":245,"version":246,"title":722,"author_name":248,"author_url":249,"provider_name":250,"provider_url":251,"thumbnail_url":723,"thumbnail_width":253,"thumbnail_height":254,"html":724,"is_plus":256,"account_type":257,"width":258,"height":259,"duration":725,"description":726,"thumbnail_url_with_play_button":727,"upload_date":728,"video_id":729,"uri":730},"https:\u002F\u002Fvimeo.com\u002F915891156?fl=pl&fe=sh","Our Fire Garden Mechanical Marvels at Lightwaves 2023","https:\u002F\u002Fi.vimeocdn.com\u002Fvideo\u002F1803222494-357d803bb4d2a3b2da4423674fce2633916a6282f486ea897cc17c533ded7102-d_295x166?region=us","\u003Ciframe src=\"https:\u002F\u002Fplayer.vimeo.com\u002Fvideo\u002F915891156?app_id=122963\" width=\"426\" height=\"240\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"autoplay; fullscreen; picture-in-picture; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" title=\"Our Fire Garden Mechanical Marvels at Lightwaves 2023\">\u003C\u002Fiframe>",120,"","https:\u002F\u002Fi.vimeocdn.com\u002Ffilter\u002Foverlay?src0=https%3A%2F%2Fi.vimeocdn.com%2Fvideo%2F1803222494-357d803bb4d2a3b2da4423674fce2633916a6282f486ea897cc17c533ded7102-d_295x166%3Fregion%3Dus&src1=http%3A%2F%2Ff.vimeocdn.com%2Fp%2Fimages%2Fcrawler_play.png","2024-02-23 04:36:35",915891156,"\u002Fvideos\u002F915891156","In the Balance created by Felix Rowberry at Lightwaves 2023","video_block$faa184e5-2b1c-46b0-9050-5623a4360819",{"variation":70,"version":71,"items":734,"primary":735,"id":741,"slice_type":88,"slice_label":10},[],{"heading":736,"body":737},"Liz Pugh, Walk the Plank’s co-founder, writes:  ",[738],{"type":64,"text":739,"spans":740,"direction":67},"The phenomenal creative force that is Billie Klinger is a generous patron of the arts, supporting independent artists to make new work in public space. Installations, performances, fetes and festivals have all benefitted from her financial investment which brings beautiful and engaging contemporary art into contact with communities.  Thank you, Billie… your continued and thoughtful support for work like this is hugely appreciated.  ",[],"text_block$0078b2ac-8ba7-4529-bc14-a10556582a14",[743],{"type":64,"text":744,"spans":745,"direction":67},"Billie Klinger, creative producer, tells us about the process of commissioning new work for Walk the Plank’s Fire Garden.  ",[746],{"start":15,"end":747,"type":229},122,"Helping Bubbles of Love float in a garden of fire",[750,758],{"entry":751},{"id":752,"type":195,"tags":753,"lang":43,"slug":754,"first_publication_date":755,"last_publication_date":756,"uid":754,"link_type":48,"key":757,"isBroken":50},"ZyoARhAAACAAnoa5",[],"dont-panic-health-and-safety","2024-11-05T11:23:53+0000","2024-11-05T12:14:16+0000","65f7f264-b734-46ad-8ee7-3fca6964a5b0",{"entry":759},{"id":760,"type":195,"tags":761,"lang":43,"slug":762,"first_publication_date":763,"last_publication_date":764,"uid":765,"link_type":48,"key":766,"isBroken":50},"aAi1QhAAACIAiuFq",[],"reimagining-cities","2025-04-24T09:22:52+0000","2025-05-01T13:00:22+0000","reimaging-cities","d2dba0e6-d4df-43f7-ae03-b326cefa653d",{"dimensions":768,"alt":10,"copyright":10,"url":769,"id":635,"edit":770,"meta":772},{"width":8,"height":9},"https:\u002F\u002Fimages.prismic.io\u002Fwalktheplank\u002FaSRSbmGnmrmGqLHh_IGNITERochdaleRochdaleBoroughCouncil2025-29-.jpg?auto=format,compress&rect=117,0,1867,1400&w=4000&h=3000",{"x":771,"y":15,"zoom":16,"background":17},117,{"dimensions":773,"alt":10,"copyright":10,"url":774,"id":635,"edit":775},{"width":20,"height":21},"https:\u002F\u002Fimages.prismic.io\u002Fwalktheplank\u002FaSRSbmGnmrmGqLHh_IGNITERochdaleRochdaleBoroughCouncil2025-29-.jpg?auto=format,compress&rect=0,149,2100,1103&w=1200&h=630",{"x":15,"y":776,"zoom":16,"background":17},149,"Billie Klinger, independent creative producer, tells us about the process of commissioning new work for Walk the Plank’s Fire Garden. ",{"dimensions":779,"alt":10,"copyright":10,"url":780,"id":635,"edit":781,"portrait":782},{"width":8,"height":27},"https:\u002F\u002Fimages.prismic.io\u002Fwalktheplank\u002FaSRSbmGnmrmGqLHh_IGNITERochdaleRochdaleBoroughCouncil2025-29-.jpg?auto=format,compress&rect=68,0,1965,1400&w=4000&h=2850",{"x":135,"y":15,"zoom":16,"background":17},{"dimensions":783,"alt":10,"copyright":10,"url":640,"id":635,"edit":784},{"width":27,"height":8},{"x":642,"y":15,"zoom":16,"background":17},[786],{"link":787,"label":10,"logo":788},{"link_type":188},{},[790],{"newsTag":791},{"id":40,"type":41,"tags":792,"lang":43,"slug":44,"first_publication_date":45,"last_publication_date":45,"uid":44,"link_type":48,"key":793,"isBroken":50},[],"eb3c94aa-64db-4087-bfed-664c40db4a3f",{"id":387,"postDate":795,"type":195,"uid":389,"author":796,"presentedBy":797,"heroTagline":801,"authorLink":805,"slices5":813,"withRelatedNews":50,"title":859,"relatedNews":860,"primaryImage":873,"summary":886,"heroImage":887,"location":898,"partners":899,"newsTags":903},"2025-10-28T00:00:00+0000","Bev Ayre",[798],{"link":799,"label":10,"logo":800},{"link_type":183},{},[802],{"type":64,"text":803,"spans":804,"direction":67},"Having produced ten inspiring events in Ashington over ten months, Bev reflects on the challenges, collaborations and moments of magic that made the programme a success. ",[],{"id":806,"type":56,"tags":807,"lang":43,"slug":808,"first_publication_date":809,"last_publication_date":810,"uid":811,"link_type":48,"key":812,"isBroken":50},"ZKU5MhAAACAArhi-",[],"bev-ayre","2023-07-05T15:52:03+0000","2025-05-07T10:16:01+0000","senior-producer","22fd28e4-9df5-4ee2-a7d7-7d49cbecc5cf",[814,825,839],{"variation":70,"version":71,"items":815,"primary":816,"id":824,"slice_type":88,"slice_label":10},[],{"heading":10,"body":817},[818,821],{"type":64,"text":819,"spans":820,"direction":67},"\"Ashington stirred like never before, its streets were humming with anticipation, shopkeepers paused mid-trade, neighbours leaned out of their windows in awe of what was coming. In every conversation and curious footstep, you could feel the town itself reaching out to greet the artists who had arrived on its doorstep. From the first moment the team began the Toy Procession, they were met by warm smiles, car horns and enthusiastic waving. Local children followed on their bikes; café owners felt a sense of hope on the otherwise empty high street and community groups lined up to take part. It was as if the entire town had chosen Walk the Plank to deliver Animating Ashington, with a feeling of - “We’ve been waiting for you”.\"",[],{"type":64,"text":822,"spans":823,"direction":67},"So begins the formal evaluation written by Reemer Bailey, commissioner of an arts and cultural regeneration programme delivered by Walk the Plank on behalf of Northumberland Council and the Combined Authority. Our brief was to create a programme of events to raise awareness of forthcoming significant town centre regeneration, to drive footfall to the high street, increase spend and bring colour and excitement to the town. A town that has been systematically neglected and in decline for the past 40 years.",[],"text_block$181a9911-eb07-4387-a570-ff799b56715a",{"variation":70,"version":71,"items":826,"primary":827,"id":838,"slice_type":267,"slice_label":10},[],{"videoUrl":828,"caption":830},{"embed_url":829,"type":245,"version":246,"title":830,"author_name":248,"author_url":249,"provider_name":250,"provider_url":251,"thumbnail_url":831,"thumbnail_width":253,"thumbnail_height":254,"html":832,"is_plus":256,"account_type":257,"width":258,"height":259,"duration":833,"description":726,"thumbnail_url_with_play_button":834,"upload_date":835,"video_id":836,"uri":837},"https:\u002F\u002Fvimeo.com\u002F1130893714?fl=pl&fe=sh","Animating Ashington Programme","https:\u002F\u002Fi.vimeocdn.com\u002Fvideo\u002F2074719447-2257b52ac639b0f8768f875648cf76d9ac551d540513350fa9df1dad0a52777d-d_295x166?region=us","\u003Ciframe src=\"https:\u002F\u002Fplayer.vimeo.com\u002Fvideo\u002F1130893714?app_id=122963\" width=\"426\" height=\"240\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"autoplay; fullscreen; picture-in-picture; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" title=\"Animating Ashington Programme\">\u003C\u002Fiframe>",314,"https:\u002F\u002Fi.vimeocdn.com\u002Ffilter\u002Foverlay?src0=https%3A%2F%2Fi.vimeocdn.com%2Fvideo%2F2074719447-2257b52ac639b0f8768f875648cf76d9ac551d540513350fa9df1dad0a52777d-d_295x166%3Fregion%3Dus&src1=http%3A%2F%2Ff.vimeocdn.com%2Fp%2Fimages%2Fcrawler_play.png","2025-10-27 08:52:19",1130893714,"\u002Fvideos\u002F1130893714","video_block$7179acbb-7783-48f2-b0fd-742093486278",{"variation":70,"version":71,"items":840,"primary":841,"id":858,"slice_type":88,"slice_label":10},[],{"heading":10,"body":842},[843,846,849,852,855],{"type":64,"text":844,"spans":845,"direction":67},"It was on these neglected streets that Gareth, our Head of Production and I stood before the delivery of our first simple but joyous event. The culmination of a tortuous and drawn out tender process which had reduced the proposed delivery time from eighteen to ten months and required an ambitious ten events. We were both fearful that as outsiders, our team and programme may not be welcomed by a community previously starved of investment, marginalised and by many, written off. ",[],{"type":64,"text":847,"spans":848,"direction":67},"The empty high street, Station Road -ironically named as at the time of tendering no trains had visited Ashington for over 50 years, was almost devoid of useful retail outlets. Unless purchasing a second hand sewing machine, pet reptile, tattoo or Greggs sausage roll was on the shopping list. Although there was a local family butchers, newsagents and hardware store crying out for business and the adjacent street, Poundland Avenue, boasted a Weatherspoon’s and Asda. We realised immediately that merely driving footfall to the High Street would not meet anybody’s targets -12,000 audiences and £45 per head spend for the funders and bringing joy, civic pride and the health and wellbeing benefits to residents for us.",[],{"type":64,"text":850,"spans":851,"direction":67},"It seemed an almost impossible task in the limited timescale, given a community for whom it became clear would insist on an ethos of “nothing about us without us”. ",[],{"type":64,"text":853,"spans":854,"direction":67},"We spent the first 3 months embedding ourselves in the town. We met with key stakeholders, community groups and leaders, presenting and amending our ideas and developing a group of “positive friends” to act as a touchstone for programme development and community buy in. We gained the support of the Civic Lead, Head of the Miners Welfare Centre, Local MP, County and Town councillors, charities, youth providers, Head Teachers and College Principles. It felt at times, like a herculean task, a massive leap of faith in our creative programming, skilled event and production managers, marketing and delivery teams. But most of all in our “positive friends” and their ability to engage and include. But as Reemer Bailey summed up, it certainly paid off… ",[],{"type":64,"text":856,"spans":857,"direction":67},"“That first event in November 2024, on a cold, day, bathed in grey clouds felt almost mythical. With a single song, the air ignited, faces glowed, voices rose in cheers, and for the next 10 months Animating Ashington and Walk the Plank found not just an audience... but a family. Ashington didn’t merely host a series of events, it claimed them. Neighbours became collaborators, people became apprentices, and the town’s everyday places were transformed into spaces of wonder. “ And as for the funders targets, economic targets were achieved and an astonishing 30,000 people engaged. ",[],"text_block$9f4fb83a-2888-4d49-9e51-81555cb7d1ae","Nothing about us without us",[861,865],{"entry":862},{"id":519,"type":195,"tags":863,"lang":43,"slug":521,"first_publication_date":522,"last_publication_date":523,"uid":524,"link_type":48,"key":864,"isBroken":50},[],"77712655-c5d6-4447-9a3e-bda380a67360",{"entry":866},{"id":867,"type":195,"tags":868,"lang":43,"slug":869,"first_publication_date":870,"last_publication_date":871,"uid":869,"link_type":48,"key":872,"isBroken":50},"aFrHcBIAACYADjUr",[],"hope-and-celebration-in-a-time-of-uncertainty","2025-06-24T15:45:18+0000","2025-12-16T15:19:50+0000","711fd224-46bc-4067-ab8b-984f515a9685",{"dimensions":874,"alt":10,"copyright":10,"url":875,"id":876,"edit":877,"meta":881},{"width":8,"height":9},"https:\u002F\u002Fimages.prismic.io\u002Fwalktheplank\u002FaP9oRrpReVYa3tIA_AnimatingAshington-ToyProcession-CallumThompsonPhotography-15-.jpg?auto=format%2Ccompress&rect=1592%2C474%2C3956%2C2967&w=4000&h=3000","aP9oRrpReVYa3tIA",{"x":878,"y":879,"zoom":880,"background":17},1592,474,1.29,{"dimensions":882,"alt":10,"copyright":10,"url":883,"id":876,"edit":884},{"width":20,"height":21},"https:\u002F\u002Fimages.prismic.io\u002Fwalktheplank\u002FaP9oRrpReVYa3tIA_AnimatingAshington-ToyProcession-CallumThompsonPhotography-15-.jpg?auto=format%2Ccompress&rect=0%2C425%2C5741%2C3014&w=1200&h=630",{"x":15,"y":885,"zoom":16,"background":17},425,"Having produced ten inspiring events in Ashington over ten months, Producer Bev Ayre reflects on the challenges, collaborations and moments of magic that made the programme a success. ",{"dimensions":888,"alt":10,"copyright":10,"url":889,"id":890,"edit":891,"portrait":893},{"width":8,"height":27},"https:\u002F\u002Fimages.prismic.io\u002Fwalktheplank\u002FaP9oa7pReVYa3tIO_AnimatingAshington-ToyProcession-CallumThompsonPhotography-105-.jpg?auto=format,compress&rect=225,0,6557,4672&w=4000&h=2850","aP9oa7pReVYa3tIO",{"x":892,"y":15,"zoom":16,"background":17},225,{"dimensions":894,"alt":10,"copyright":10,"url":895,"id":890,"edit":896},{"width":27,"height":8},"https:\u002F\u002Fimages.prismic.io\u002Fwalktheplank\u002FaP9oa7pReVYa3tIO_AnimatingAshington-ToyProcession-CallumThompsonPhotography-105-.jpg?auto=format,compress&rect=1840,0,3329,4672&w=2850&h=4000",{"x":897,"y":15,"zoom":16,"background":17},1840,"Ashington, Northumberland, England",[900],{"link":901,"label":10,"logo":902},{"link_type":188},{},[904],{"newsTag":905},{"id":40,"type":41,"tags":906,"lang":43,"slug":44,"first_publication_date":45,"last_publication_date":45,"uid":44,"link_type":48,"key":907,"isBroken":50},[],"fe89e494-5c5b-4849-a87a-9935edc2348f",[909],{"id":40,"postDate":45,"type":41,"uid":44,"title":47},"aT_7WBAAACIAFNEB","2025-12-15T13:03:42+0000",1785167633079]