Laygate stories – tales from South Shields

Here’s a project to watch. Photographer Peter Fryer has teamed up with David Campbell, academic and multimedia producer, to create Laygate Stories – a multimedia project focusing on the characters who live in one area of South Shields, north east England. The neighbourhood is a microcosm of 21st century British multiculturalism – populated by indigenous north-easterners, a long-established Yemeni community which includes second and third generation Britons, and more recent migrants from countries as diverse as Angola, Iran and Poland. Taking its inspiration from the phenomenal One in Eight Million series run by the New York Times in 2009, Laygate Stories aims to focus in on the small but touching personal stories which make up every community. It kicks off with four short photofilms which can be seen here – with more to follow. The project is part of an Arts Council-funded commission organised by Side Gallery in Newcastle. Fabulous.