Memories of South Tyneside residents take over the library in one-off exhibition

SEAGULLS brought home the memories of South Tyneside residents when they landed for an interactive exhibition.

Filling the 25ft window at Cleadon Park Library was the impressive display reflecting on the things the community has lost and those it’s most proud of.

From Dolly Peel’s statue to the Majestic ballroom, visitors, care home staff and residents had the opportunity to add their own memories to the seabirds flying across the window.

Anne Davison is from the Sandtimers, the group of South Tyneside volunteers who devised the display. She said: “We were inspired by images at the library and from that the theme of seabirds and our wonderful coastline began to take shape. We wanted to create a very positive image of what South Tyneside means to us and began to explore ways of showing this."

The display aimed to inspire residents and create a sense of South Tyneside as it is today for those living apart from their community with care home residents and staff invited to join in.

The three-day exhibition was the idea of Sandtimers who meet regularly to play the ukulele.

The group is part of Creativity Matters, a £388,000 project by older people’s charity Equal Arts working with hundreds of people and care home managers and staff to highlight the impact creative ageing can have on an individual’s health and wellbeing.

Coun Alan Kerr, deputy leader of South Tyneside Council with responsibility for culture and leisure, said: “This was a fabulous project and something really different.

“What started as a group based in the library playing the ukulele has sparked real enthusiasm and memories within the community. The exhibition gave residents a chance to reflect on the things the area has lost and those it takes great pride in.”

Officially opening the exhibition was South Tyneside Mayor Fay Cunningham.