Partner Article

Port writes up Tyne history

The story of the river Tyne and its relationship to nearby communities is to be told by the newly-appointed Writer in Residence of the Port of Tyne.

Newcastle playwright and screenwriter Michael Chaplin was appointed to the post in June and has spent the last few months researching the past, present and future of the Tyne and now wants to hear from communities and individuals who want to add their own stories to the project.

Michael said: “We live in a place called Tyneside and the river of the same name runs through it. It has shaped our history and our character. It has a fascinating past and an exciting future, yet despite all of this, Tynesiders tend to take it for granted. We somehow forget that the river is quite literally at the bottom of our collective existence. During my year long residency I hope to capture the essence of the Tyne.”

Michael Chaplin was brought up in Newcastle and worked as a journalist and documentary maker before becoming Head of Drama and Arts at Tyne Tees Television and Head of Programmes at BBC Wales.

The residency is the first of its kind for the Port of Tyne and is scheduled to last for a year until July 2010.

Andrew Moffat, Chief Executive at the Port of Tyne, said: “We believe the people, the communities and the businesses that have played a part in the river’s history, need to tell their story. There is no one more capable at recording these stories and anecdotes than Michael Chaplin.”

Anyone with a story they would like to share should email Michael Chaplin at michael.chaplin@portoftyne.co.uk.

Michael said: “The intention of this exciting exercise is not simply to get people writing about their river but to get many other people to read, watch and listen to this work. It’s about consciousness-raising, an opportunity for the organisations most involved in the river to engage with the public in ways that benefit everyone. It’s about celebrating something that’s a part of all of us – the River Tyne.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Ruth Mitchell .