Strandline
Throughout March to November 2024, community members and artists Steve Sowden and Emma Welton gathered regularly at venues across Paignton to uncover the area’s hidden “histories from below”.
The group found themselves sharing stories of benches and trees, bishops and cabbages, springs and tides, puddings and geology, railways and rebellion. Their research, conversations and creative explorations included ‘sound walks’ and guided heritage trails with the Paignton Heritage Society.
Artists: Steve Sowden and Emma Welton
Funders: Historic England’s Everyday Heritage grant programme
Date: 2024
Location: Paignton, UK
“I love the fact that this project’s not just the usual suspects. It’s an unusual form of community engagement, it’s collaborative. Different faces and voices give you a fresh perspective, don’t they, even about ‘heritage’ that we think of as ‘traditional’.”
This rich process culminated in Benchmark, an exhibition that brought together stories, objects, images and sounds to provide a new, alternate story of Paignton’s heritage, told by people who live here. One important seam in this project was the ‘public bench’ as a perfect example of 'everyday heritage' - so ordinary that we fail to notice it.
The group commissioned members of Paignton Community Shed to make a new bench for Paignton. Designed by Mike Morrison of Hyperspace, the bench itself is made from timber with a unique connection to Strandline and Paignton’s history, Paignton Pier.
This Talking Bench installation included an audio journey “It just goes on around you” - taking visitors on a tour of central Paignton without having to leave their seat. The title is taken from a quote from a member of the group:
Listen to the audio journey:
“When you live in a place, it just goes on around you. You’re not aware of the history of the place, it’s just part of life. I think that’s the norm. It’s difficult enough just living, let alone looking at what happened a long time ago!”
Listen to audio pieces made by Strandline community members:
Strandline is funded by Historic England’s Everyday Heritage grant programme, celebrating working class histories.
The Strandline group extend their heartfelt gratitude to all those who enabled them to go on this journey together. Special thanks to Paignton Community Shed, Hyperspace Café, Paignton Heritage Society, MAKE Southwest, Artizan Gallery, Kevin Cowell and Print2Wall, Nature Nook Pet Shop, Glo Torbay, Paignton Library, Paignton Picture House and Historic England.