Poetry in motion for city
SECRETS of two of Nottingham’s most historic streets will be revealed with a touch of poetry this autumn.
Children’s author and poet Helen Goodbarton is writing a series of poems which shoppers will be able to listen to by scanning QR codes on buildings in Carrington Street and Station Street.
The project is part of the transformation of the southern gateway to the city.
In 2016, the National Lottery Heritage Fund awarded Nottingham City Council more than £680,000 over five years to allow owners and tenants of the historic buildings in the two streets to restore them to their former glory.
Helen will be working with Space Face Films, which will be producing audio and visuals to reveal the history of the buildings as well as the stories of people and businesses which once inhabited it.
She said: “It is interesting because I am more of a children’s writer but this year during lockdown I set myself the task to write a poem a day and I found myself writing quite profound, epic pieces.
“That gave me the confidence to apply for this project that is not just focused on children, but everyone.
“Each poem will be accessed through a QR code on the buildings.
“There will be a video and audio and each poem will be a standalone piece.
“What I am trying to do is create characters for each of the buildings.
“For example, Nottingham Railway Station will be a 1920s gentleman. In the ’20s the station was such a hub of activity.”
Carrington Street, predominantly lined with cafes and bars today, has been home to numerous businesses since 1829.
In the 19th century, enterprising businessmen began to set up shop, transforming what was once little more than a swamp between Lister Gate and the River Leen into a vibrant shopping district.
From the huge sporting emporium Redmayne and Todd – now occupied by a branch of Caffe Nero – to a family-run shoe shop founded in 1894 and the Shipstones Car Showroom in 1927, it has been a hive of activity for years.
“I’m trying to really get a sense of what the street was like at each moment in time,” Helen says.
“Redmayne and Todd sports outfitters, I will be focusing on that.
“Carrington Street had quite a lot of sports shops.
“It had a history in the motor industry.
“I will also be looking at ghost buildings that are not here anymore.
“I’m really excited my words will be a part of the history of this street.
“I understand the history of the street but what I want to know is how people relate to the street.
“I would like to know about people who used to shop on this street.
“I do not want the poems to be cold. I want it to feel lived in, bringing the community back into it.”
She is asking people to fill in a Google form at https://docs. google.com/ forms/d/e/1faipqlscizqnem 8SXMBWCKC1OGV5RNVXGP4SHNOPTWORDWGYEWYCNQ/VIEWFORM
There, they can tell stories of the street and share their thoughts on its history.
The project should be introduced by midoctober. Councillor Linda Woodings, city council portfolio holder for housing and planning, added: “We’re really excited to be working with Helen on this project and we hope that people will enjoy the poems and interactive way of accessing them.
“It forms part of the council’s wider Townscape Heritage Scheme for Carrington Street. Back in 2016, the National Lottery Heritage Fund awarded us more than £680,000 over five years to provide grants to eligible owners or tenants of historic buildings in Carrington Street and Station Street. This money could be put towards repair or refurbishment work and covered up to two thirds of the overall cost. “The scheme also has funding for activities to help local people engage with the heritage of the area, including the commission of street poems. “The overall project has made a huge difference to the overall look and feel of these key gateway streets on the south side of the city centre.”
I do not want the poems to be cold. I want it to feel lived in
Helen Goodbarton