Voices of Byker to shape new community archive
Heritage project will chart evolution of a city landmark. Tony Henderson reports
The story of an award-winning Tyneside landmark will be told through the voices of the people who have lived their lives in the neighbourhood.
The Byker Wall estate in Newcastle is Grade II* listed and has been placed on UNESCO’s list of outstanding 20th century buildings. But the development also later faced its challenges.
Around 20,000 people lived in Byker in the late 1960s, mostly in the steep terraces, which were demolished as part of widespread clearance schemes that in other parts of the city meant residents being rehoused in tower blocks, satellite new towns or edge-of-city new housing estates.
But in Byker the approach by architect Ralph Erskine was to try to preserve the community spirit of the terraces and allow locals to have a say in the design of their new homes and the estate.
Byker attracted international acclaim for a social housing venture which offered a variety of home types, open spaces, retained some important existing buildings such as a Victorian church and swimming baths, plus the Wall feature that protected the development from traffic noise from an originally planned motorway, pollution and cold northerly winds.
Another inclusion was the provision of “hobby rooms” – shared buildings in which residents could gather and follow their pastimes or use as community spaces.
The former Byker Photographic Studio hobby room will be developed into a Byker Community Archive by Byker-based community interest company Northern Cultural Projects, which has secured a £240,186 grant from the National Lottery Heritage Fund and £36,488 match funding from Karbon Homes, which builds, manages and looks after homes across the North, including 1,800 on the Byker estate.
The project will collect the stories, memories, photographs and memorabilia of residents from the estate on which work began in the late 1960s.
It will also look further back into life in the long streets of Victorian terraced houses in the area which stretched down towards the Tyne.
The three-year project will start off with the refurbishment and conversion of the aforementioned photo studio on Raby Way into the archive space, which is set to open in early summer.
Silvie Fisch, director of Northern Cultural Projects, said: “The community archive will capture the evolution of the estate over the years, from pre-redevelopment and its construction through to the present.
“It will showcase its unique architectural and design features, as well as capture the stories of its communities. Many voices have never been heard before.
“This archive isn’t about romanticising the old Byker. It wants to bridge the past and present. It’s about assembling a mosaic of memories.
“Our goal is a living archive: one that captures not only the history of Byker’s buildings and landscapes, but also the lived experiences of its people, past and present.
“Some stories will be happy, others sad or angry, but in the archive they will not be lost and can be added to over time. The views of many residents who have lived on the estate since its earliest days are still missing from the historical record.”
Helen Featherstone, director, England, North at The National Lottery Heritage Fund, said: “We are delighted to fund Northern Cultural Projects to create the Byker Community Archive, which will celebrate and explore the fascinating heritage of the estate.”
Victoria Keen, Place Lead at Karbon Homes, said: “It’s fantastic to be supporting this project which for the first time will see the full social and architectural story of Byker displayed and celebrated in one place.
“It’s brilliant that this project is being led by the community, enabling them to tell their story of Byker and helping build pride in place. It’ll showcase the estate for the special and truly unique place that it is.
“The Byker community taking control of their own heritage through a living archive is an idea which we are certain will generate social impact on many levels. We believe that the chance for this project is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.”
At the same time, work has begun to transform two hobby rooms, with Karbon Homes awarded over £98,000 through Historic England’s Heritage at Risk Capital Fund to breathe new life into community spaces in Byker.
The project, led by property maintenance, compliance and refurbishment company CLC, will see a full internal refurbishment of the hobby rooms on St Michael’s Mount and Spires Lane.
The refurbished hobby room on St Michael’s Mount will become an artists’ studio and Spires Lane a community space.
Victoria said: “It’s fantastic to see work starting on the hobby rooms. We are looking forward to seeing the process of refurbishment and the end product, which will be two new facilities that will no doubt benefit the community for years to come.”
Historic England regional director North, Louise Brennan, said: “The Byker Estate is one of the most important examples of post-war housing design in England – more importantly it is home to many people.
“We are pleased to support Karbon Homes in bringing these Grade II* listed hobby rooms back into active use for residents. Through the Heritage at Risk Capital Fund, Historic England helps protect heritage while ensuring it continues to serve the communities it was created for.
“Projects like this show how thoughtful repair and new uses can strengthen local pride and create opportunities for residents now and in the future.”