The Mine is Yours

An exciting project designed to increase awareness of the Lancashire Mining Museum, expand its range of activities and volunteers and make it the hub of mining heritage in the north west. Six mining heritage scripts performed as part of the very successful The Mine Is Yours Festival at the LMM in 2022. Four local mining trails, developed with Corrie Shelley to visit the former locations of collieries and other mining related sites. Also, a guide to the former Astley Green Colliery site and Miners' Cottage, display boards and training volunteers to become site and mining trail guides.

Read more at healthyarts.org.uk

The Life and Times of Chat Moss

Promenade theatre performance at the Lancashire Mining Museum, Astley. A Healthy Arts project commissioned by The Carbon Landscape Partnership to capture the story of Chat Moss, raise awareness of the project, engage with the community and celebrate the natural heritage of the area. Watch the video here.

Funded by The National Lottery Heritage Fund.

How To Be WomanLEIGH

Three monologues with post-show discussion at St Mary’s Parish Church, Leigh. A Healthy Arts project to commemorate the visit of WSPU suffragettes to Leigh in July 1909 and explore the different attitudes, influences and social conditions of the time. Further information.

Leigh Grammar Schools Heritage Project

An eighteen month project to research the history of the grammar schools in Leigh and to collect, explore, preserve and share memories and artefacts. Led and administered by Healthy Arts with support from Wigan & Leigh Archives and Bedford High School. The project culminated in a Celebration Day which included an interactive exhibition of videos and artefacts, a debate about grammar school education and live performances recreating school experiences. Video

Funded by The National Lottery Heritage Fund.

Women’s Work

One act play to commemorate the opening of Leigh Spinners No 1 Mill in 1915 with a predominantly female workforce during a time of hostile public attitudes towards female workers. A Healthy Arts project funded by Wigan Council's First World War Centenary Commemoration Fund and performed at the Leigh Canal Festival. Further information.

Writing the War

A 12 week creative writing course exploring the different ways that local people documented the effects of WW1, and their response to, and involvement in it, in written form from letters and diaries to newspaper articles, reports, etc. The writing produced was published in a booklet and extracts read at a public event. A Healthy Arts project Funded by Wigan Council's First World War Centenary Commemoration Fund. Further information.

Lilford Park Centenary (LP100)

Re-enactment of opening day events, commemorative booklet, and scripted performances in the park. A Healthy Arts project funded by The National Lottery Heritage Fund and Wigan Council's First World War Centenary Commemoration Fund. Watch the video.

No Bravery Without Fear

T.I.E play about an imaginary meeting between Leigh’s Victoria Cross recipient, Alfred Wilkinson and Tyldesley’s Conscientious Objector, Arthur Turtle. Funded by Wigan Council's First World War Centenary Commemoration Fund and performed in schools by Green Room Creative Productions.

The Lost Gardens of Etherstone

Site specific play about the history of the Etherstone Hall area including the WW1 Prisoner of War camp, performed at Wigan & Leigh College. Funded by Arts Council England as part of the Leigh & Wigan Words Together Literary Festival.

The Edge of Darkness

Collaborative installation: textile installation and text interactive installation inspired by the life of Warrington writer, Anna Barbauld. Warrington Museum & Art Gallery as part of Warrington Arts Festival, commissioned and curated by Collaborative Space. Further information.

A Terrible Affray

Promenade performance about a local murder in 1895. Commissioned by Wigan Leisure Culture Trust (WLCT) and performed by Wigan Community Theatre Company around The Museum of Wigan Life.

The Streets of Leigh

Promenade performance by 60+ performers aged 9-92 in 8 locations around Leigh Sports Village about the history of Leigh. Commissioned by Leigh Sports Trust and funded by The National Lottery Heritage Fund. Script & videos

Reel Times

Interviewing local people and editing transcripts/DVD for library exhibitions about local area, and history of local cinema. Commissioned by Wigan Leisure & Culture Trust (WLCT).

Haigh Fever

Promenade performance about history of Haigh Hall, performed in the Hall by 40+ performers (years 9 & 10) from four local High Schools. Commissioned by Wigan Pier Theatre Company and funded by The National Lottery Heritage Fund.