Words Laura Lindow Sounds Katie Doherty Narration Hannah Marie Davis

Willington FIRES!

A Poem for Willington

As part of the Hidden Heritage project, award-winning Northeast writer Laura Lindow was commissioned to create a poem woven from the words, stories and memories of the local Willington community – including care home residents and students from Parkside School.

The final piece was recorded by professional actor Hannah Marie Davis and underscored with music composed and performed by well-known musician Katie Doherty.

Following the theme of the project’s launch – a celebration with flaming torch-bearers which coincided with the late Queen’s Platinum Jubilee back in 2022 – Laura’s poem not only speaks of the past but also reflects the determination, hopes and dreams which characterize this community today.

The Phoenix at Hyem Fest! July 2023

Laura worked with Parkside Academy Year 8 students and asked them to reflect on their own special places and relationship to their hometown

I think Willington should be on the map because I love all of the walkways you can travel through. It can really calm you down making you feel relaxed and peaceful.

While you walk through all of the forests there is a heavenly smell of wood, fresh garlic, and sweet flowers. Sounds of birds and green leaves. It feels like you’re floating sometimes when you have music in your eyes.

You can be on top of the world. There’s a bench, if you go up this hill and just keep walking, from this bench you can see everything – Bishop Auckland, Durham… all the places all around. And rivers and the orange and black of Parkside. And at night the big lights of 3G (cos I like football). And loads. I know it’s not really, but you feel on top of the world.

I love the pathways. I’d like to find new ones. All the memories, I’d like to make our memories.

I want Willington to be reminded of the past.

There are secrets gates. Hidden pathways. The houses are on a slant. There’s blue paint next to my house. The blackberry bush and the cherry tree. There is my childhood.

Willington Jubilee Beacon Lighting and the launch of Hidden Heritage, 2nd June 2022