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.