SANDERSONHOUSE: MINDFULNESS, MEMORIES,HOPE
FILMS / MUSIC / CHANGES
YOUNG PEOPLE FROM YORK AND BEYOND
''IT'S ALL ABOUT COMMUNITY': PASSING ON WISDOM"
Thank You both Old & Young
York's Westfield Ward provided funding for us to run a series of intergenerational creative sessions with locals residents. With visits to schools Westfield Primary and York High, getting the project off to an energetic start, it was only through trips to Sanderson House and keeping in contact with members of Foxwood Community Centre that we could intersect the art of the young people with the memories of older residents.
Luckily, the planets lined up and a team of 1216 year olds from York were free to join us With weekly trips to Sanderson House and recorded interviews with patrons, the team came back and fed back memories, ideas, hopes for the future to our sessions at Blueberry Academy, Acomb Methodist Church, Spark: York, and York RI. The team independently produced a short film and this very magazine you are reading, based on their experiences around Westfield. We like to think New Visuality has chronicled the thoughts of this areas’ elderly residents using the creativity of the young people with as much spark as possible Lastly, thanks must go to the City of York Council’s Westfield Ward for the funds to get this project up and running.
Greg McGee DIRECTOR, NEW VISUALITY
COMMUNITY AND CONVERSATIONS
What are some of your happy memories of York?
Suzie: "York was a lot of fun. I used to enjoy the Micklegate Run, which was where you'd have a pint in every pub down Micklegate. There was a real scene too, I enjoyed most of the music in the 1960s. York was different then, there used to be a swimming pool in Rowntrees Park. There was the 'Big Freeze' in 1963, which was unforgettable. Trips to the seaside were a big thing back then too TVs only had 3 channels, so if here wasn't much on, we'd be outside.
Julie: "I used to work on the doors at nightclubs Rather than watch TV, we'd all get together and have a laugh. I would most definitely go back if I could, but I don't miss anything specific."
How old are you Sheila?
"I'm 87. I got married in 1953. I had already lived through the Second World War. I lived near the train tracks which would get bombed. That was pretty scary " Where did you work?
"I worked in Rowntrees, with the Smarties Department. It was nice, I didn't get into much trouble. I didn't bother with drink but I did enjoy a trip to the races."
What about your family?
" My father was in the army but he came back after Dunkirk. My mother died of TB when I was 9. My husband died six years ago. He was an honest, hard working man. He died from Cancer and Pneumonia "
H O U S E SANDERSON
HIGHLIGHTS
"We just come over to spend time with friends and catch up It's a nice thing to do every week "
CREATIVITY
“I like this kind of thing (pointing at mosaic on the wall) I like it when we can all sit around tables and get stuck in and get our hands dirty (laughs).”
"It's absolutely wonderful to see the kids spend time with each other, this is a very safe place, and they’re just such lovely kids ”
KIDS FRIENDS HELPING OUT
“I used to like helping out in the kitchen and washing up I hope we can get back to that ”
Say our team member George, "I really didn't know what to expect. The first thing I noticed was how much people laughed. I also loved people's artwork."
“I like coming here, we get to chat with nice people and it’s good to see the young people socialise too.”
"I like looking at the photos because it keeps me focused on staying creative."
"I have spent some time making things at Rainbow Ceramics."
"Everyone here is really nice and supportive."
"I will just keep on editing photos, I really like it, and I bring art in to Sanderson House often."
LEARNING AND MEMORIES
"It was lovely to talk to people at Sanderson House and Foxwood Community Centre. Everyone brought out their photos and we helped them edit them and discussed happy memories of York It was just really nice to connect " James Noah, York, age 15
S H A R I N G
SIT DOWN: PUTTING THE WORLD TO RIGHTS WITH ANGIE
FUNNY, OPINIONATED, NOSTALGIC, AND HOPEFUL FOR THE FUTURE, ANGIE FLIES THE FLAG FOR SANDERSON HOUSE
Why did you move to York?
"I am originally from Stourton, near Leeds, and moved to York 11 years ago when I was homeless "
What was your first impression of York?
"That it was expensive and posh! (laughs) I soon settled in, though. I like to think I can get on with anyone, and York is 90% percent friendly and welcoming.”
"“One of the first encounters I had was when an older gentleman on a scooter was very rude, and wouldn't budge for me - he actually shouted at me! I stood my ground and told him not to be so rude A watching onlooker actually clapped their hands and told me, 'well done, at last someone has stood up to him ' I have also experienced antisocial behaviour from some youths around York, which is sad ”
How is life here at Sanderson House?
"I love it The older generations are always, always friendly, there's no doubt about that. The Sanderson Food Bank has been set up and it is very successful, with neighbours coming to drop off and collect. There's a nice community garden around the back, which is lovely, especially in the summer, and it's just a nice, relaxing place to meet. We've also now set up a Ukrainian food bank, which is going great "
EMMANUELLE CHATS WITH CUSTOMERS X 3
What was entertainment like in those days?
What was childhood like in York?
"It was great fun Me and my brothers used to push each other up and down a snicket on a little wooden train my Dad made us We grew our own food. Wew used to grow lots of vegetables and always eat the strawberries of the plants when we weren't supposed to."
What music do you listen to?
"Daniel O'Donnell. I had posters of him, mugs, pictures, everything I was part of the Daniel O'Donnell fan club for 8 or 9 years, but then the prices started to go up! I still listen to him "
"I loved John Wayne in films Our whole family used to go everywhere together. Me and my mum and Dad, and 5 sisters, and 3 brothers They were happy times, not one of us was left behind "
What music did you listen to?
"I always loved ABBA. I even bought the ABBA boxed set I love musicals, especially 'Grease' We used to go the cinema every Saturday morning in Clifton It was actually free of charge, and Mum would give us some money to get some popcorn I used to go to the Salvation Army meeting just to get a free packet of sweets! Happy times "
NEXTSTEPS
New Visuality is delighted to join the elderly and their younger neighbours at weekly meetings all over York.
"In the meantime, we have loads of stories, memories, and ideas to work on We will create artwork based on this. Not only have we produced a film using the footage we captured at Sanderson as well as this magazine, we have been collaborating with Blueberry Academy and Greg’s Art Camp sessions and we will create posters and light shows for the gallery and other places in York. Thanks for a wonderful experience!”
