Which Woolwich Stories: Culture Trail

Which Woolwich Stories celebrates some of the hidden stories shared by the local community, creating a trail that led you on an intimate journey uncovering personal tales as you explored artworks along the way. The trail highlighted the commonality of our lives which are rooted, defined and connected by an area. Local artists have curated, honoured and creatively reinterpreted the stories told.

After an open application process, 12 creatives were awarded commissions. These Commissions took a variety of formats with some being fully workshop based, others being physical artworks that made up the Culture Trail, two performance based works that took place during the Opening and Finale Events, and a sensory trail that focused on accessibility. It should be noted that the commissions that were not workshop based, were still expected to contain community engagement element.

The timeline for the project was:

• March 2023 - Open Call for artists
• April-June - Mapping workshops
• 1st July - My Woolwich Map workshop
• July - August - 25 workshops by commissioned artists
• 4th August - Which Woolwich Stories Tour Launch including community & artist workshops, and Which Woolwich Stories loyalty card scheme
• 4th August – 22nd September - Which Woolwich Stories culture trail
• 16th August - 22nd September - Sensory Tours of Woolwich
• 22nd September 2023 - final events Powis Street including Community & artist workshops, Councillors tour, Amy Lame (Night Czar) tour to coincide with HiStreetFest Finale

Workshop Based Commissions

1. Workshop Based CommissionsRoots by Harpreet Uppal @harps11-Tree hangings inspired by mother nature and our roots; created with people from Woolwich, highlighting the emotions and places that define us and make us who we are.
2. Dance & Jewellery Making Workshops​ with Carole and Bethany Pound - Dance and jewellery making workshops were delivered for local residents as part of the cultural programme, which were focused on movement and Woolwich’s History of armoury.

Performance Based Commissions

Performed or displayed as a part of the Culture Trail Launch and Finale Event, on the 4th August & 22nd September respectively.

1. A Day in Woolwich by Emma Houston @shortbreadthebreaker @hstndancecllct - A lively and uplifting film celebrating the wonderful community of Woolwich; highlighting local businesses and diversity of expression explored thorough dance. 
2. Mcwoolwich - Celebrating the wit and humour of Woolwich's Young People, McWoolwich is a short musical exploring the area’s relationship with fast-food and globalisation. A collaborative production; directed by Lata Nobes, with writing by Henry Roberts and music facilitation by Andy Ruddy and the young people of Woolwich.

We would like to thank​:

• Royal Borough of Greenwich
• Historic England​
• Night Time Enterprise Zone
• all of our commissioned artists​
• GCDA (Woolwich Front Room)​
• Local Woolwich Businesses for their support in hosting​and supporting the ongoing development of the programme​
• Our strategic partners in Woolwich and further afield​
• Artists, Creatives and Collaborators who have supported the project to date and as the programme continues to develop. ​