WORK Records project animates historic working lives in Derbyshire

Three new animated films, inspired by stories of historic working lives in the East Midlands, will premiere this weekend at a special event at Derby Museums, presented by Derby-based arts agency Animate Projects.

The films have been commissioned for WORK Records, a creative heritage project supported by The National Lottery Heritage Fund and Arts Council England. They explore stories of working life at three historic family firms across the region: Chesterfield-based packaging company Robinson and Sons, knitwear manufacturer John Smedley in Lea Bridge, Derbyshire, and the former Stewarts & Lloyds steelworks in Corby.

Over the past 16 months, collaborative teams of artist-animators, volunteers, curators, historians and former employees have explored archive collections at Derbyshire Record Office, the John Smedley Archive and Corby Heritage Centre. Together, they have uncovered hidden stories and memories about past working lives at the different sites to inspire the artists’ films.

Animate Projects’ Director, Gary Thomas, said: “With WORK Records, our heritage partners, volunteers and former workers have helped us to uncover stories and memories that have shaped community identities in the East Midlands, while our artists have brought these histories to life in new and unexpected ways. Together, the project has created fresh connections between past and present, showing how our shared heritage can continue to inspire and resonate today.”

Animation artists – Saul Pankhurst, Kate Anderson and Kim Noce – have literally animated these important, untold histories, bringing heritage to life and connecting contemporary workers with their historic counterparts.

Jane Middleton-Smith, Archivist at John Smedley said: “For us as an archive, WORK Records has been a really rewarding project, opening up new ways to explore our collections and revealing fresh insights into the history of John Smedley as a family firm. Working collaboratively with volunteers and artists has brought new perspectives to our collections, and it’s been especially exciting to see historical material re-imagined through animation and to uncover the shared stories that connect our industrial heritage across the region.”

 Karen Millhouse, Archivist at Derbyshire Record Office said: “This project has given us a wonderful opportunity to bring the stories of Robinson and Sons to life and connect our archives with the people and communities they represent.

“The records tell us what was made and when, but this project has helped us explore something even more valuable – the experiences, skills and everyday working lives of the people behind the company’s success. We hope these stories inspire a renewed appreciation for the East Midlands’ industrial heritage to ensure these voices continue to be heard by future generations.”

The three animated films, which will be shared with local community and through the WORK Records website later in the autumn, will premiere at a special event at The Wardwick at Derby Museum & Gallery on Saturday 12 September, 1.30pm-3.30pm.

 This premiere event will feature a short documentary about the making of WORK Records by filmmaker Chris Bevan of YSP Media, followed by a panel discussion with project artists Saul Pankhurst and Kate Anderson, John Smedley Archivist Jane Middleton-Smith and composer Hutch Demouilpied, who worked with artist Kim Noce on the sound for her animation.

The event will be chaired by Derbyshire-based curator, educator and writer, Camilla Brown. Tickets are available to book now, priced £10, from Derby Museums’ website.

Together with the archive collections, WORK Records is delivered in partnership with Junction Arts in Chesterfield, Fermynwoods Contemporary Art in Northamptonshire and the history team at the University of Derby.

WORK Records is made possible with support from The National Lottery Heritage Fund, thanks to National Lottery players, and is also supported by Arts Council England.