Out of the Woods
Out of the Woods supported two groups of young people to tell the stories of two historic woodlands in North East England. This year-long project was produced by Wild Museum, working in partnership with Stomping Grounds North East. It was funded by Historic England.
23 young people, the majority of whom are neurodivergent, worked with artists and sound designers, historical archives and residents from their local communities to create sound artworks that explore the social and industrial identities of two woodlands- Duke’s Hagg (Prudhoe, Northumberland) and Chopwell plantations (Chopwell, Gateshead).
Produced by: John Coburn
Artists: Tim Shaw
Partner: Stomping Grounds North East
Both woodlands were planted on former coal mining sites closed in the 19th and 20th century. These mines were once the centre of their community, shaping so much of what exists today in Prudhoe and Chopwell. Its streets, footpaths, schools. Thousands of families moved here for work. However, like so many post-industrial plantations, the history of both woods is invisible when out walking today.
The project supported the young people to develop their socioemotional skills and confidence, and grow their sense of connection to the rural and peri-urban places they live.
