Podcast celebrates Washington’s New Town 60th anniversary

Published on 8, November, 2024

Staff and students at the University of Sunderland are supporting a unique podcast that launches this month to celebrate the 60^th Anniversary of Washington New Town.

MA Radio, Audio and Podcasting students Joe Simmons and Ynez Tulsen have been working with members of the Washington Heritage Partnership to support the production of the podcast, The Ballad of the Crocodile and the Underpass.

Dr Caroline Mitchell, Professor of Radio and Participation at the University, has been supporting the development of the Washington community podcasting group in preparation for her research about senior podcast listeners and producers.

Dr Mitchell said "The Crocodile and the Underpass Ballad is inspired by the BBC radio ballads made in the 50s and 60s by radio documentary maker Charles Parker and folk musicians Peggy Seeger and Ewan MacColl. One of those, The Big Hewer, was recorded in the Durham coalfields.

“In this project we have updated the production processes to make sure that local people are not only telling their stories but are also fully involved in the podcast production process. Older members of the group are also very interested to learn more about the benefits of listening to and making podcasts. They are compiling a guide for seniors so that they can access podcasts more easily "

Senior Lecturer in Radio and Podcasting at the University of Sunderland, Dr Richard Berry, added: “Increasingly podcasts are an important tool in helping people understand history and connect within their communities.

“By bringing together the legacy of the radio ballads and the participatory elements of this series, the team have made something that will draw in new audiences to listen to and share stories of historical importance.”

The Ballad of the Crocodile and the Underpass is now available on all major podcast platforms.

The National Lottery Heritage Fund awarded Sunderland Culture £72,600 for Washington Heritage Partnership to celebrate 60 years since the formation of Washington New Town.

The first episode, Town of Roundabouts, focuses on the infrastructure of the new town.  The remaining four will look at New Town architecture; explore the vision of the New Town’s underpasses compared to reality; Washington folklore, and the town’s American connection, including George Washington and US President Jimmy Carter’s visit in 1977.

These podcasts were put together in community sessions led by musician, music producer and sound artist Grace Stubbings. Songwriters David Brewis and Paige Temperley attended the podcast sessions and wrote songs for each of the podcasts based on contributions from members of the community. Artist Tommy Anderson has also been creating artwork for the project based on photographs of the New Town shared by community groups and organisations. 

Dr Jude Murphy, Washington Heritage Partnership co-ordinator, who is leading on the project, said: “I’m over the moon at what has been produced for The Ballad of the Crocodile and the Underpass project, the community has been fully engaged and thanks to the help and expertise of people such as Grace, Joe, David and Paige, some exceptional work has been produced.

“I’m excited for people to listen to the first of our podcasts, and we’re already working on a new series to follow the first five. Joe has done a brilliant job working with community members and sharing his podcasting skills learnt on the MA. Growing up in Washington he has a unique perspective as well as being a bit has done a brilliant job with the podcasts, incorporating sounds of the town, such as recording noises from several underpasses, but she’s also helped several people set up their own podcasts, sharing her skills.”

Listen to The Ballad of the Crocodile and the Underpass here.

For more information on studying MA Radio, Audio and Podcasting A at the University of Sunderland, click here.

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