Story: Saleema Imam
‘Final Fling’
A crowded Verdon Recreation Centre saw the culmination of two and a half year’s work by Nikky Wilson on the Burngreave Voices project, with the launch of its website on Saturday 17th March.
An exhibition of some of the work produced with the support of Sheffield Galleries and Museums and funded by New Deal filled the sports hall: posters and banners from the Palace and Mosques, memory boxes celebrating favourite things, patchwork wallhanging, photographs, postcards, ‘Shadows Lie Behind‘ interviews, – it goes on! Visitors’ said it was ‘stunning!’ and ‘amazing!’ and that ‘these should be on permanent display somewhere!’
After a splendid lunch produced by Milton Edwards, the new interactive website was launched by Lord Mayor Councillor Jackie Drayton, who reminded everyone of the achievements and innovations of Sheffield people and Pitsmoor people in particular.
A showing of the short film ‘Corner Shops in Burngreave‘ and Jo William’s monologue in the persona of Olaudah Equiano (pictured top-right) about his life from Africa to slavery to emancipation finished the afternoon.
A booklet containing the history of the project and its various outcomes, written by Nikky, will soon be available free to Burngreave residents at Burngreave Library. Also take a look at the website and add your stories and pictures:
