Multistory: Recent Episodes
Multistory
“There was a saying in West Brom, for a long, long time: ‘If you didn’t work at K&J, you knew someone that did’.” – Karen Radburn (employee at K&J)Featuring fascinating ‘herstories’, this podcast reflects on the working lives of women employed at Kenrick & Jefferson printers in West Bromwich, before it closed in 1993. Artist Sophie Huckfield speaks to local women about their contribution to the printworks, alongside family members who have fond memories of their mothers, grandmothers, aunties, cousins and friends who worked there. As well as exploring the roles and duties these women carried out, this podcast seeks to explore the wider topic of how women can make space to debate what work is and could be.Part of the wider OUTWORK project, this podcast is accompanied by a long-term exhibition on West Bromwich high street and a new publication. The publication is available to buy in limited edition print or as a free PDF on the Multistory website. Interviews and Direction by Sophie Huckfield. Produced by sound artist Dr Natalie Hyacinth and narrated by Wolverhampton City Poet Laureate (2020-2022) Emma Purshouse.
‘From Tip to Tranquillity’ is a post-walk talk with some of the attendees of the Sandwell Stride walking for well-being group over several weeks. The walks too place in and around Sheepwash Nature Reserve in Great Bridge, Tipton.
'Apna Wellness’ explores Sandwell’s parks, gardens and allotments and the positive impact they can have on the Sikh community. I interviewed Parminder, Joga, Kieran and Shin about local green spaces in relation to health and wellbeing and how we can engage with environmental issues. What came out is that 'communication' and 'connection' is key.
Rawhead & Bloody Bones: The Curse of Windmill End, is a new scary folk story based on the Black Country Bogeymen, Rawhead & Bloody Bones, their encounter with a local pit owner and a curse laid upon him by a boy who died in his mine. The story is set at the Windmill End mine in Rowley Regis and follows the circumstances of the building of Cobb’s Engine House which now stands at Warrens Hall nature reserve.
Whoever Heard of a Purple Carrot’ explores the benefits of growing your own fruit and vegetables using Jaime Upton’s extensive knowledge and experience of working for Ideal for All’s allotments in Sandwell. Join Jaime to get some ideas for growing your own food and exploring local sustainability post-pandemic.
‘Drowning in Plastic’ is a discussion into how the overuse of plastic affects our society. Grace Dore interviews family members from three generations, beginning with Aliya, Zoe and Dean, looking at their views on how plastic affects them.
In ‘Back to Green’, Episode 2 of the Sandwell Stories: Going Green podcast, the Campbell family present ‘Growing Up Green’ which documents their journey as they strive to embrace eco-friendliness in their daily lives. The show is co-hosted by 9-year-old Theo and his mum, Amy, who are from Bearwood. They delve into various forms of climate action as a family, such as growing their own veg, recycling, reusing, swapping and repairing, fostering a connection with nature, raising chickens and worms, and even protesting against climate destruction!This podcast is part of Multistory's ‘Sandwell Stories: Going Green’; seven episodes by seven creators exploring stories connected to Sandwell's local green spaces. Through intergenerational conversations, insightful interviews, spooky tales and wellbeing walks, they explore how to engage with, and appreciate, the natural environment on your doorstep, including: how to be eco-friendly as a family; how nature is reclaiming old industrial sites’ and the positive impact nature can have on your wellbeing. Plus there’s a new, scary story based on local folklore.The podcasts were created during a 12-week podcast making course delivered by Multistory from December 2022 to March 2023.
In ‘Back to Green’, Episode 1 of Sandwell Stories: Going Green, poet, performer & playwright Brendan Hawthorne looks at how nature is reclaiming old industrial sites and canal systems. He shows their place as beautiful oases and valuable breathing spaces for health and leisure in a post-industrial urbanised landscape. He explores this topic with fantastic guests: Andrew Felton, Shona Gilsenan, Kerry Halford and Keith Gwilliams.This podcast is part of Multistory's ‘Sandwell Stories: Going Green’; seven episodes by seven creators exploring stories connected to Sandwell's local green spaces. Through intergenerational conversations, insightful interviews, spooky tales and wellbeing walks, they explore how to engage with, and appreciate, the natural environment on your doorstep, including: how to be eco-friendly as a family; how nature is reclaiming old industrial sites’ and the positive impact nature can have on your wellbeing. Plus there’s a new, scary story based on local folklore.The podcasts were created during a 12-week podcast making course delivered by Multistory from December 2022 to March 2023.
This year, we welcomed two young people as guest producers to the Sandwell Stories podcast. They received mentoring and wrote and produced their own podcast episode, that explores issues that are important to them. This second episode, by Naomi Olaoye, focusses on cancel culture, and the effects of social media on mental health and community.
This year, we welcomed two young people as guest producers to the Sandwell Stories podcast. They received mentoring and wrote and produced their own podcast episode, that explores issues that are important to them. This first episode, by Gemma Larkin, explores love between queer women and the erasure of lesbian histories - with a particular focus on the life and poetry of Emily Dickinson.
Rupinder Kaur's 'Songs with Mum' explores growing up between Handsworth and West Bromwich as a child who held three languages in her tongue. The conflicts she had along with my relationship with her mum, how music influenced her and drew her towards the beauty of Panjabi poetry and then poetry in general. Now West Bromwich is Rupinder's home and she couldn’t be prouder.
Rupinder Kaur is a Birmingham Panjabi poet, performer and creative curator. Her debut poetry book Rooh (2018) was published with Verve Poetry Press. She has also been featured in SPAKE Dialect and Voices from the West Midlands (2019) edited by Urszula Clark and Jonathan Davidson published by Ninearches press along with other publications. Rupinder’s work explores womanhood, language, culture and history. She has featured at nights and festivals across the UK, performed at Pass of Mic for Festival of Audacity partnership with Beatfreaks, BBC world music day and BBC Asian network (2018). Rupinder also works as workshop facilitator within the community and schools to create awareness about poetry. She is the founder of Azaad Arts which aims to explore traditional and contemporary arts within South Asia connecting strands of film, theatre, art and literature together within the Diaspora. Also co-founder of Gully Collective which aims to create multidisciplinary zines to platform the voices of South Asian creatives. Previous projects include Sada Chidiyan da chamba (our temporary nest of birds) – Exploring Panjabi Wedding folk songs through a female narrative supported by the Creative Black Country Open Access Seed Award and co-produced by Slanguages, Creative Multilingualism (2020). She was recently awarded DYCP from Arts Council England to work on her next poetry collection. And is currently a BBC New Creative developing an audio piece. Jugni is a play, co-written by Rupinder, commissioned by Slanguages – Creative Multilingualism due to be performed next year. On her days off writing she’s mostly living her retro Bollywood dreams.
In Today, Tomorrow, Yesterday, Casey Bailey evokes a new generation’s desire to be seen; stories of young people ‘asking for a tomorrow’.
"We know that Sandwell is one of the most deprived areas in the country, and there are young people in parts of Sandwell who feel this sense of loss and hopelessness. What I really hope is that anybody hearing this who is in any position to support them, guide them, help them - you know, takes it on as a challenge. Because we are able to make a positive difference in the lives of young people. And I really, really hope that we take that challenge on." - Casey Bailey
Casey Bailey is a writer, performer and educator, born and raised in Nechells, Birmingham, UK and he is the Birmingham Poet Laureate 2020-2022. Casey released his debut full collection of poetry, ‘Adjusted’ in 2018 with Verve Poetry Press and his second collection ‘Please Do Not Touch’ will be published by Burning Eye in 2021. Casey’s play ‘GrimeBoy’ has been commissioned by the Birmingham Rep and his poetry has featured in a number of anthologies. He was commissioned by the BBC to write ‘The Ballad of The Peaky Blinders’ in 2019, and he has performed his poetry nationally, and internationally.
Episode two of our new Sandwell Stories podcast is made by poet Kuli Kohli. Featuring Kuli’s poem ‘Black Country Wonder Woman’ and a newly recorded introduction, the episode tells the story of a time of strikes and the anxiety of having a premature baby in difficult circumstances. The poem is made in collaboration with Kuli’s son, Akaash, who raps some verses.
Indian born, Kuli Kohli runs a Punjabi Women’s Writing Group and helps run Blakenhall Writers' Group. She writes a regular blog for Disability Arts Online. Her debut poetry pamphlet Patchwork is published by Offa’s Press. She’s performed her work around the West Midlands, London, Liverpool, Oswestry and via Skype to India. She was a guest lecturer at Humboldt University in Berlin, Germany. In December 2019, she performed at the British Museum for the Purple Light Up event celebrating International Disabled Persons Day. In 2020, Kuli's life story was featured on BBC News online which lead to her being filmed for BBC one's Sunday Morning Live show in September 2020.
Fathers of the Black Country is told through the voice of poet Roy McFarlane, who begins with stories from young fathers and shares memories of those who have passed over: an ode to the different stages of fatherhood. This second season of the Sandwell Stories podcast looks at the past and the present, the lives of a new generation, and a desire to belong; mothers and fathers; sons and daughters; young people making a mark on the streets of Sandwell.
Roy McFarlane is a writer and poet born in Birmingham of Jamaican parentage and spent most of his years living in Wolverhampton and the surrounding Black Country. He has held the role of the Birmingham Poet Laureate, been the Starbucks Poet in Residence and is currently the Birmingham & Midlands Institute Poet in Residence.
His debut collection, Beginning With Your Last Breath was followed by The Healing Next Time, (Nine Arches Press 2018) nominated for the Ted Hughes award, Jhalak Prize, a Poetry Book Society recommendation and selected by the Guardian as one of the best poetry titles of 2018.
He has also co-edited an anthology of poems by locally based artists, Celebrate Wha'? - Ten Black British Poets from the Midlands (Smokestack 2011) and was featured in the major 2012 anthology of Black and Asian poetry, Out of Bounds: British Black and Asian Poets. He’s also a graduate of the MA in Writing Poetry with Newcastle University and he’s presently a Jerwood Bursary recipient looking at mothers and daughters of Windrush.
Multistory's new digital programme Stories in Isolation, commissions poetry and writing in response to the current COVID-19 situation, as a gesture of support for local Sandwell artists and our Blast! Creative Network.
Multistory's new digital programme Stories in Isolation, commissions poetry and writing in response to the current COVID-19 situation, as a gesture of support for local Sandwell artists and our Blast! Creative Network.
For Stories in Isolation, Multistory commissioned Naush Sabah to write new poems for her sequence 'Fundament/Forty', which is a sequence of poems which use Imam Nawawi’s Forty Hadith—a famous text from the Islamic canon—as source material. The poems explore the sense of isolation from family or community that can ensue from dissent or doubt in one’s faith tradition and respond to the source texts through engaging with different a wide range of poetic forms and experiments and through thematic engagement with aloneness, isolation, disruption, altered spaces/places, loss and grief. 'Fundament/Forty' will be published in 2022 as an illustrated pamphlet.
For Stories in Isolation, Multistory commissioned Naush Sabah to write new poems for her sequence 'Fundament/Forty', which is a sequence of poems which use Imam Nawawi’s Forty Hadith—a famous text from the Islamic canon—as source material. The poems explore the sense of isolation from family or community that can ensue from dissent or doubt in one’s faith tradition and respond to the source texts through engaging with different a wide range of poetic forms and experiments and through thematic engagement with aloneness, isolation, disruption, altered spaces/places, loss and grief. 'Fundament/Forty' will be published in 2022 as an illustrated pamphlet.
For Stories in Isolation, Multistory commissioned Naush Sabah to write new poems for her sequence 'Fundament/Forty', which is a sequence of poems which use Imam Nawawi’s Forty Hadith—a famous text from the Islamic canon—as source material. The poems explore the sense of isolation from family or community that can ensue from dissent or doubt in one’s faith tradition and respond to the source texts through engaging with different a wide range of poetic forms and experiments and through thematic engagement with aloneness, isolation, disruption, altered spaces/places, loss and grief. 'Fundament/Forty' will be published in 2022 as an illustrated pamphlet.
For Stories in Isolation, Multistory commissioned Naush Sabah to write new poems for her sequence 'Fundament/Forty', which is a sequence of poems which use Imam Nawawi’s Forty Hadith—a famous text from the Islamic canon—as source material. The poems explore the sense of isolation from family or community that can ensue from dissent or doubt in one’s faith tradition and respond to the source texts through engaging with different a wide range of poetic forms and experiments and through thematic engagement with aloneness, isolation, disruption, altered spaces/places, loss and grief. 'Fundament/Forty' will be published in 2022 as an illustrated pamphlet.
Multistory's new digital programme Stories in Isolation, commissions poetry and writing in response to the current COVID-19 situation, as a gesture of support for local Sandwell artists and our Blast! Creative Network.
Multistory's new digital programme Stories in Isolation, commissions poetry and writing in response to the current COVID-19 situation, as a gesture of support for local Sandwell artists and our Blast! Creative Network.
Multistory's new digital programme Stories in Isolation, commissions poetry and writing in response to the current COVID-19 situation, as a gesture of support for local Sandwell artists and our Blast! Creative Network.
Multistory's new digital programme Stories in Isolation, commissions poetry and writing in response to the current COVID-19 situation, as a gesture of support for local Sandwell artists and our Blast! Creative Network.
‘Black Country Roots’ is a book published by Multistory that tells the story of the African-Caribbean community in Sandwell and the Black Country, through oral history interviews and photography. This poem was written and performed by Kurly McGeachie - Birmingham Poet Laureate finalist - who conducted the interviews for the project.
Photo credit: Music for a church service, Wolverhampton, 1976 © Nick Hedges.
Multistory's new digital programme Stories in Isolation, commissions poetry and writing in response to the current COVID-19 situation, as a gesture of support for local Sandwell artists and our Blast! Creative Network.
Multistory's new digital programme Stories in Isolation, commissions poetry and writing in response to the current COVID-19 situation, as a gesture of support for local Sandwell artists and our Blast! Creative Network.
Multistory's new digital programme Stories in Isolation, commissions poetry and writing in response to the current COVID-19 situation, as a gesture of support for local Sandwell artists and our Blast! Creative Network.
Multistory's new digital programme Stories in Isolation, commissions poetry and writing in response to the current COVID-19 situation, as a gesture of support for local Sandwell artists and our Blast! Creative Network.
Multistory's new digital programme Stories in Isolation, commissions poetry and writing in response to the current COVID-19 situation, as a gesture of support for local Sandwell artists and our Blast! Creative Network.
Multistory's new digital programme Stories in Isolation, commissions poetry and writing in response to the current COVID-19 situation, as a gesture of support for local Sandwell artists and our Blast! Creative Network.
Multistory's new digital programme Stories in Isolation, commissions poetry and writing in response to the current COVID-19 situation, as a gesture of support for local Sandwell artists and our Blast! Creative Network.
Multistory's new digital programme Stories in Isolation, commissions poetry and writing in response to the current COVID-19 situation, as a gesture of support for local Sandwell artists and our Blast! Creative Network.
Whether large or small, round the corner or across the sea... family is part of us all.
They come in all shapes and sizes and all volumes... some are bonded by blood, some through friendship and community.
We sat down with a cuppa with some wonderful Sandwell families to get to know them and ask ‘What does family mean to you?’
In Summer 2018, Multistory and the artist Sarah Taylor Silverwood invited people from the six towns of Sandwell to nominate women who deserve to be honoured and celebrated. In the same year it was the centenary of (some) women being given the right to vote in the UK and the powerful movements taking place such as ‘Me too’ and ‘Time’s Up’, and this project, recognise and value the work that women do — equality is not a given but something we have to fight for.
We were lucky enough to spend time with many of the inspiring women who are part of the project - from the nominators, Kate DeRight, Shindo Barquer and Blanca Fischer - to the judges, Tina Cockbill, Cllr Syeda Khatun and Julie McKirdy... and of course, Sarah Taylor Silverwood and the winners, Barbara Platts, Bally Barquer and Leonie Hart.
Here's what they had to say...
Us Brits are pretty giddy about Greetings Cards. Sending them, receiving them, displaying them... we love a good card!
For this episode we natted with knitters and babbled with Brownies to find out just how important the Greetings card is to the people of Sandwell...
What happens in one of West Brom’s oldest buildings? Who uses it and what do they use it for?
Come with us for your own personal tour of West Bromwich Town Hall and hear from some of the wonderful people who use it for social events and clubs and also from the incredible team of people who work here, keeping everything ship shape!
What are your favourite Black Country sayings? Where does the Black Country start and where does it end? We headed out on to the streets of Sandwell to get these all important answers ready for Black Country Day on the 14th July. We want to celebrate the Black Country from Halesowen to Tipton, Blackheath to Bilston!
Come and visit the West Brom indoor market, meet the wonderful market traders, hear the conversations and enjoy the familiarity of a place that is built around a human connection.