NE6 VOICE Inspired by the paintings of artist, George Shaw, pupils from Benfield School in Newcastle upon Tyne were tasked with photographing everyday scenes both within their local neighbourhood and within Newcastle city centre. The scenes that they would choose should have some personal significance for them. The purpose of the project was to bring together a collection of images that might form future memories of the place where the young people grew up and the places that they visited within the City. The photographs were taken on disposable cameras during the February half term holidays of 2012. The pupils reflected on each of their chosen images.
Now encapsulated within this set of postcards, the images will offer a toolkit for those who work with young people to help them to engage in a dialogue about their own local environment. This dialogue could form the first stage in a bigger process that encourages young people to be more closely involved in the planning and design of the places that are important to them.
The project team comprised members of the Engagement Committee within the School of Architecture Planning and Landscape at Newcastle University and Stage 6 Architecture students. The team would like to thank the Geography Department staff and Year 10 pupils at Benfield School, Newcastle upon Tyne, for their participation in and enthusiasm for the project.
Image 1 “a true local area”. Bowling Green, Walker, Newcastle. © Newcastle University. The University of Newcastle upon Tyne trading as Newcastle University.
NE6 VOICE
“Even urban areas can be scenic” To those who plan our neighbourhoods
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Image 2 “urban horizon”. Coast Road Walker, Newcastle.
NE6 VOICE
“We just pass this place and don’t usually stay. Because we had a camera we stopped and looked. It has been good getting all the photos. It was good to see our work at the Museum and that it was noticed by people.”
To those who plan our neighbourhoods
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Image 3 “manors”. Manors Metro Station, Newcastle.
NE6 VOICE
“I’ve spent lots of time on this field” To those who plan our neighbourhoods
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Image 4 “Millers”. Millers Dene, Walker, Newcastle.
NE6 VOICE
“This roundabout is in the middle of Welbeck Road, just up from the library and it’s the nearest main road to where I live. There’s the hairdressers’ shop where my Mam worked and the chip shop where I get pizzas. There’s my Nana’s house, just there. Once a month I go to my Nana’s house for Sunday dinner.”
To those who plan our neighbourhoods
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Image 5 “roundabout”. Welbeck Road roundabout, Walker, Newcastle.
NE6 VOICE
“I wanted to present something old and nostalgic. It is old and distinctive.”
To those who plan our neighbourhoods
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Image 6 “tower”. Chimney in the Ouseburn Valley, Newcastle.
NE6 VOICE
“This is just the end of the road where I live. I like the view from here. Where the tall building is over there – when we were little, we used to think that it was Paris! I was 7 when I found out that it wasn’t Paris! I would like there to be more trees and grass here, but I don’t really want it to change.”
To those who plan our neighbourhoods
Image 7 “Paris”. Staines Road, Walker, Newcastle.
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NE6 VOICE
“This is just round the corner from where I live. I always pass it when I go to school or go to the corner shop to get the ‘leccy’ card or the gas card.”
To those who plan our neighbourhoods
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Image 8 “bingo”. Bingo Hall, Welbeck Road, Walker, Newcastle.
NE6 VOICE
“I never really thought about this place until we did the project. The alley isn’t somewhere that I would normally go, but it is interesting. All the houses have doorways onto it. I wanted to capture the aspect of deprivation.”
To those who plan our neighbourhoods
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Image 9 “alleyway”. Back alley, Walkergate, Newcastle.
NE6 VOICE
“This area always seemed abnormal to me.” To those who plan our neighbourhoods
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Image 10 “stone circle”. Stone circle, Ouseburn Valley, Newcastle.
NE6 VOICE
“This is my back field. I go there to play football, have a laugh and relax. It’s called the ‘Fossy Field’. I just climb the trees with my friends without any hassle from anyone. I wanted to show the greenery and the open space and the urban area too. It is a safe space. It is a very big field and we go in our little space and other people don’t bother us. It is good how it is. It doesn’t need to change.”
To those who plan our neighbourhoods
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Image 11 “weekend”. The ‘FossyField’, Walkergate, Newcastle.
NE6 VOICE
“I wanted to capture the problems associated with today’s youth. Some people don’t value this place because they have nothing to do and it is just boredom. There are no opportunities for them. People think that we all do this sort of thing. I have happy memories of it, even though others spoil it.”
To those who plan our neighbourhoods
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Image 12 “alcohol abuse”. Millers Dene, Walker, Newcastle.
NE6 VOICE
“This is what Newcastle is and why people love it. Grey’s Monument tells us that it is Newcastle. There are certain things that you think about when you talk about Newcastle: St. James’ Park; the Metro and; Grey’s Monument.”
To those who plan our neighbourhoods
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Image 13 “Monument”. Grey’s Monument, Newcastle.
NE6 VOICE
“It is where this project started – at the quayside. The Tyne Bridge is the most recognisable view of Tyneside. I remember the Olympic torch being carried along here. It was amazing! I feel happy in this place and would not like it to change.”
To those who plan our neighbourhoods
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Image 14 “quayside”. The River Tyne, Newcastle/ Gateshead.
NE6 VOICE
“Busy Toon! It shows how popular the town centre is and how old the buildings are. It’s a place where you can go and relax and have fun and do things. You only need to have friends to enjoy it.”
To those who plan our neighbourhoods
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Image 15 “city”. Central Newcastle.
NE6 VOICE
“This is an old feature of the town. There are some good artists and musicians around here.”
To those who plan our neighbourhoods
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Image 16 “Central Arcade”. Central Newcastle.
NE6 VOICE
“This is a feature of the city. It shows the mixture of the old with the new in the city.”
To those who plan our neighbourhoods
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Image 17 “gallery”. View from the City Library, Newcastle.
NE6 VOICE
“This is what a lot of people first see of Newcastle. It shows the busy city and the importance of the historic buildings.”
To those who plan our neighbourhoods
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Image 18 “arriving”. Central Station, Newcastle.
NE6 VOICE
“I took this picture because it shows a historic building that is hidden away. I used to come here with my Nana and Grandad.”
To those who plan our neighbourhoods
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Image 19 “market”. The Grainger Market, Newcastle.
NE6 VOICE
“This shows the vast amount of transport in the City. It also shows an old sign which spoils the place.”
To those who plan our neighbourhoods
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Image 20 “buses”. Central Newcastle.