There’s Always a Geordie

I met Eric Patterson at Tom Collins House, a sheltered housing scheme run by Karbon Homes. Eric travelled the world with the army for twenty years and one of the things he noticed was that, wherever he went, there was always a Geordie. In this episode, Eric and his partner, Marian, share some of their favourite stories, and reflect on life Within the Wall. Within the Wall is produced by James Whitman as part of a community arts residency at Northern Stage.

The Byker Pantry is a food co-operative serving the Byker community. It’s right in the heart of the estate, next door to the Byker Community Trust, and is run by a remarkable group of volunteers. In this episode, we hear from co-op members and volunteers about the massive difference the Pantry makes to life Within the Wall. Within the Wall is produced by James Whitman as part of a community arts residency at Northern Stage.

The Chevron is a community venue run by Foundation Futures. Every Wednesday morning they host a well-being group, where local people can come to take part in walks around the region and a variety of fiddly-looking craft activities. The members of the group were a bit microphone shy, so instead of interviewing them, we made a game show all about life Within the Wall. Within the Wall is produced by James Whitman as part of a community arts residency at Northern Stage.

Anne and Olya grew up in Byker before the Byker Wall was built. In this episode, they remember the wash house, the smells of the butcher shop and Byker's first takeaway. They also chat about what it was like when families were re-located in the 1960s, most of them never to return, and how much things have changed since then. Within the Wall is produced by James Whitman as part of a community arts residency at Northern Stage.

In this micro-episode of Within the Wall, James Whitman introduces the podcast and one of its contributors. Within the Wall is produced by James Whitman as part of a community arts residency with Northern Stage.