Reimagining Brockweirs Colourful Past

Reimagining Brockweir’s Colourful Past brought the community together to explore and celebrate the rich but often overlooked history of the Brockweir Inn and the village’s industrial past. Supported by Historic England, the project invited residents of all ages to rediscover their heritage through hands‑on creativity, shared storytelling, and collaborative art-making.

The project began with a two‑day exhibition co‑organised with the Brockweir History Group, where more than 190 visitors explored historic photographs and artefacts and voted for the stories that mattered most to them. This exhibition set the tone for the months ahead, sparking curiosity and inspiring many to sign up for the workshops that followed.

Two community artists worked closely with residents throughout the project:

• David Broadbent, professional photographer
• Matthew Stone, Brockweir‑based multidisciplinary artist

Together, they helped participants reinterpret Brockweir’s past through three interconnected workshops.

Workshop 1 – Now & Then Photography (led by David Broadbent) Sixteen participants took part in guided walks around the village, recreating historic scenes and capturing new images that reflected what Brockweir means to them today. These “now and then” photographs became the foundation for the next stages of the project.

Workshop 2 – Collage & Animated Art Film (led by Matthew Stone) Using photographs from Workshop 1 alongside historic images chosen by residents, participants created a large collaborative collage representing Brockweir’s past and present. The process was filmed from above, resulting in a community‑made stop‑motion art film.

Workshop 3 – Tile Making for the Brockweir Inn (led by Matthew Stone) In the final workshop, participants transformed stills from the collage and film into ceramic tiles using printed transfers. These tiles will become a permanent part of the renovated Brockweir Inn, ensuring the community’s creativity is embedded in the building’s future.

All three workshops are free, but signing up is mandatory. You can sign up to one, two or all three of the workshops. You can do so by emailing  brockweirinn@gmail.com or ring 07778 177337.

The outcome of the project will be presented at a community exhibition in October - and be part of the new Brockweir Inn when it re-opens!

Led by the Brockweir History Group and Brockweir Inn CBS, and funded by Historic England, the Reimagining Brockweir Art Project is an inclusive exploration of working-class heritage. Workshop participants will co-create an archive of stories, images, and artworks that celebrate the lives and legacies of Brockweir’s people.

Learn about Historic England’s Everyday Heritage Grants:
historicengland.org.uk/everyday-heritage-grants
Discover Brockweir Inn CBS:
thebrockweirinn.com
Contact us: brockweirinn@gmail.com