the people of the west quarter - telling our stories - quay words
these workshops took place in october/november 2021 but are available for commission
"An amazing group. Loved being a part of this. Have written a short story - first draft stage. Hope to share with you soon if you would like. I have a feeling our paths will cross again soon."
"Jo-Jo, you gathered some magic over these weeks, I loved every minute, learnt so much and we had so much fun and laughter Thanks, I look forward to future adventures"
"Jo-Jo, you gathered some magic over these weeks, I loved every minute, learnt so much and we had so much fun and laughter Thanks, I look forward to future adventures"
Hi, I'm JoJo Spinks and my family was one of those who moved from the West Quarter to Burnthouse Lane in the 1930s. (My dear nan is in the photo above, taken on the roof of Folletts!). These days, I help communities find creative ways to celebrate their places and their heritage.
Come JOIN ME for a series of West Quarter heritage sessions designed to bring the writer out in you.
I know you've got the stories, why not let me help you shape the words? These are the stories of Exeter - they're important - LET'S TELL THEM TOGETHER!
Sign up below for any OR ALL of the below West Quarter themed sessions - all supported by Literature Works as part of the Quay Words project and FREE TO YOU!!
Quay Words is Exeter’s programme for exploring stories and writing at Exeter Custom House. Quay Words is creating a home for stories on Exeter Quayside and we want you to be a part of it. The programme is a partnership between Literature Works and the Exeter Canal and Quay Trust, funded by Arts Council England.
***PLEASE NOTE CHANGE OF TIME FOR FINAL TWO WORKSHOPS - BELOW***
Come JOIN ME for a series of West Quarter heritage sessions designed to bring the writer out in you.
I know you've got the stories, why not let me help you shape the words? These are the stories of Exeter - they're important - LET'S TELL THEM TOGETHER!
Sign up below for any OR ALL of the below West Quarter themed sessions - all supported by Literature Works as part of the Quay Words project and FREE TO YOU!!
Quay Words is Exeter’s programme for exploring stories and writing at Exeter Custom House. Quay Words is creating a home for stories on Exeter Quayside and we want you to be a part of it. The programme is a partnership between Literature Works and the Exeter Canal and Quay Trust, funded by Arts Council England.
***PLEASE NOTE CHANGE OF TIME FOR FINAL TWO WORKSHOPS - BELOW***
SESSION ONE - WEDNESDAY 13th OCTOBER 2021 2.00-4.00
French Onion men/shops and stalls on the Quay
“We used to watch the boats come in with the French onions. When you bought some off of them, they always used to say ‘and a penny for myself?’
Did you grow up with stories of the fish market and the myriad of shops on the Quay and the West Quarter?
Would you like to have a go at finding the words to describe the bustle, the smells and energy of how it must have been?
Then sign up for Session One on the form below! (scroll down).
French Onion men/shops and stalls on the Quay
“We used to watch the boats come in with the French onions. When you bought some off of them, they always used to say ‘and a penny for myself?’
Did you grow up with stories of the fish market and the myriad of shops on the Quay and the West Quarter?
Would you like to have a go at finding the words to describe the bustle, the smells and energy of how it must have been?
Then sign up for Session One on the form below! (scroll down).
SESSION TWO - WEDNESDAY 20th OCTOBER 2021 2.00-4.00
Poaching and living a little bit over the line!
“One boy was being chased for it, and he run home, up Stepcote Hill, and his mother had just had a baby and was still in bed. He said 'mother, the police is chasing me' so she said 'quick give us the fish' and she stuck it down the end of the bed." West Quarter resident
Can you imagine, or have your heard stories of living that little bit over the line? Of families pulling together and making ends meet? Would you like to have a go at describing how it feels to live that way - the excitement, the bonding, the fear! Then sign up for Session Two below!
Poaching and living a little bit over the line!
“One boy was being chased for it, and he run home, up Stepcote Hill, and his mother had just had a baby and was still in bed. He said 'mother, the police is chasing me' so she said 'quick give us the fish' and she stuck it down the end of the bed." West Quarter resident
Can you imagine, or have your heard stories of living that little bit over the line? Of families pulling together and making ends meet? Would you like to have a go at describing how it feels to live that way - the excitement, the bonding, the fear! Then sign up for Session Two below!
SESSION THREE - WEDNESDAY 27th OCTOBER 2021 2.00-400
Boating, swimming and messing about on the river
“It was ninepence to borrow a boat and if you was overdue you had a pay more so some of us used to leave our boats further down."
West Quarter resident
What's it like to live with the river on your doorstep, as your playground, your transport and your living? How would the river define your days? Would you like to have fun, exploring how to find the words to describe that? Then sign up for Session Three below!
Boating, swimming and messing about on the river
“It was ninepence to borrow a boat and if you was overdue you had a pay more so some of us used to leave our boats further down."
West Quarter resident
What's it like to live with the river on your doorstep, as your playground, your transport and your living? How would the river define your days? Would you like to have fun, exploring how to find the words to describe that? Then sign up for Session Three below!
SESSION FOUR - WEDNESDAY 3rd NOVEMBER 2021 11.00 AM - 13.00 PM **PLEASE NOTE CHANGE OF TIME**
Warehouses/Barrel of Port lost in the Quay –
“Later we were told that people had gone in and got this barrel out themselves late in the day. Everything went, even the wood from the barrel was chopped up for fires. My older brother told me that even the rings from the barrels was taken to Parkin's and melted down. Of course the police went down there investigating, but nobody knew anything." West Quarter resident
Can you imagine the sheer grunt and strength required to unload cargo from ships into the warehouses on the Quay - and the excitement of an errant barrel!
Perhaps one of your family did this work? Why not join me to capture the words - sign up for Session Four below!
Warehouses/Barrel of Port lost in the Quay –
“Later we were told that people had gone in and got this barrel out themselves late in the day. Everything went, even the wood from the barrel was chopped up for fires. My older brother told me that even the rings from the barrels was taken to Parkin's and melted down. Of course the police went down there investigating, but nobody knew anything." West Quarter resident
Can you imagine the sheer grunt and strength required to unload cargo from ships into the warehouses on the Quay - and the excitement of an errant barrel!
Perhaps one of your family did this work? Why not join me to capture the words - sign up for Session Four below!
SESSION FIVE - WEDNESDAY 10th NOVEMBER 2021 11.00 AM - 13.00 PM **PLEASE NOTE CHANGE OF TIME**
West Quarter pubs and “Do as you like street, monkey-town!” –
“My boss, who I worked for, was a policeman, Inspector Alford. He was going up a lane up Coombe St and a frying pan hit him on the head. They was fighting. We called Coombe St, 'Do as you like Street, Monkey Town'. West Quarter resident
There's a million stories of the Dolphin, the Mermaid, the King Arms, The Old Teignmouth Inn and the Duke of York. I'll bring a whole selection to stir your imagination but do you have more? Would you like to write about the comedy and camaraderie of the English pub, or the sadness, the striving and reaching for forgetfulness? Then sign up for Session Five below!
West Quarter pubs and “Do as you like street, monkey-town!” –
“My boss, who I worked for, was a policeman, Inspector Alford. He was going up a lane up Coombe St and a frying pan hit him on the head. They was fighting. We called Coombe St, 'Do as you like Street, Monkey Town'. West Quarter resident
There's a million stories of the Dolphin, the Mermaid, the King Arms, The Old Teignmouth Inn and the Duke of York. I'll bring a whole selection to stir your imagination but do you have more? Would you like to write about the comedy and camaraderie of the English pub, or the sadness, the striving and reaching for forgetfulness? Then sign up for Session Five below!
