A River to Freedom

July - November 2025

A River to Freedom brought together community voices, art, and poetry to reflect on the meaning of freedom 80 years after WWII—culminating in a creative celebration across North Tyneside Libraries.

Image by North Tyneside Libraries

A collection of handmade teal rubber stamps surrounds a printed card and a photo. The stamps depict symbols including a brain, hand, microphone, camera, headset, book, and speech bubble—each carved with white lines. At the center, a printed card reads “OUR FREEDOM: THEN & NOW” in bold red and white text on a blue background. Below, partially visible text mentions a 50th anniversary celebration. Next to it, a photo shows wooden Scrabble tiles spelling “FREEDOM” on a wooden surface, with extra tiles nearby reading “TN,” “W10,” “B,” and “?”. The image combines creative and symbolic elements to explore themes of freedom and expression.

Contexts:

North Tyneside / Community / Artists

Partners:

North Tyneside Libaries

People:

Katie Jayne Appleyard

Tags:

A River to Freedom, in partnership with North Tyneside Libraries, invited local voices to explore the theme of freedom—80 years on from the end of the Second World War.

Through workshops with community groups and a collaboration with a regional artist, the creative project built toward a powerful artwork that captured memories, aspirations, and personal reflections on what freedom meant today.

Inspired by Simon Armitage’s 2025 poem “Freedom Road,” the project will concluded with a celebration event hosted in local libraries, bringing people together through art, stories, and shared experiences.

What does the day to day freedoms mean to you?

Is it the mundane magics? A cup of tea in peace before the rest of the family wakes? A walk in the park?

Throughout September and October (2025), participants from Wallsend Art group and Battle Hill Knit and Natter, explored exactly that.

Working with artist Amy Langdown over 3 sessions each group learnt to design, carve and print their own lino stamps.

A ‘gorilla craft’, participants were able to play with this artform and provided them with the freedom to make ‘mistakes’ as little inconsistencies are part of the art style. Each stamp is completely different and represented a range of stories and impressions of freedom.

They ranged from and included:

Seeing a neighbours washing on the line (community, something that can only be done when we have our own space and aren’t ashamed to have our drawers flapping in the wind!)
Being able to open curtains and have lights on once blackouts were over after the war.
The ability to be positive and support one another.
The ability to enjoy the outdoors such as walks on the beach.
The freedom to own your own body and have ownership of oneself.
The freedom to marry or divorce.
Having a free bus pass – freedom to travel.
Having your own space and somewhere to feel safe.
Access to free information and not government-run

We also partnered up for a one-off session with YMCA North Shields, whose young people provided ideas contributing to the piece too.

Large white fabric banner covered in black ink symbols arranged in a grid, including peace signs, hearts, smiley faces, flowers, and abstract shapes. Some symbols are highlighted with color, and the bottom edge is decorated with green, yellow, and blue yarn fringe. Displayed in a public space with glass cases and paper flowers below

Two carved stamp-style illustrations side by side. On the left, a house with a triangular roof, central door, and garden path surrounded by plants, symbolising personal space and safety. On the right, a retro television with antennas and a star on the screen, representing access to free, independent information. Each image is paired with a caption explaining its symbolic meaning.

A person is carving a green linoleum block using a red-handled tool during a linocut printmaking activity. The design on the block is a stylized cat with visible whiskers and facial features. Small green shavings surround the block, showing active carving. To the left, a red and black brayer (roller) sits near a printed flyer. The flyer includes the phrases “the community and make a difference” and “Carnegie Centre,” along with a QR code and a colorful image resembling a quilt or artwork. The scene captures a hands-on moment of creative engagement and community-focused art.

Stylised print of clothes hanging on a washing line against a backdrop of vertical lines suggesting a fence or wall. A dress and a t-shirt with a bird graphic are shown, with icicle-like drips above them hinting at cold weather. A caption to the right notes this as a reference to a poem, highlighting the theme of “mundane freedoms” through the everyday act of hanging laundry outdoors.

A person sits at a table working on a small craft project, possibly involving sewing or assembling materials. They wear a brown turtleneck, a floral-patterned apron, flower-shaped earrings, and a necklace. The table is cluttered with creative supplies: a coffee cup, a paper cup, a pencil case labeled “Oh you pretty thing,” a tray, sketch papers, colored pencils or markers, and a small pouch. Among the papers are drawings of a lobster or crustacean and technical-style sketches with notes

A woman sits at a table in a library or community center, smiling as she works on a small craft project involving string and a handheld object. She wears glasses, a green patterned shirt, and a name badge.

A group of people sit around a table engaged in a crafting activity. The table is covered with materials including colored paper, scissors, pens, carving tools, printed instructions, and teal folders with drawings or templates. Several juice cartons labeled “Fruity Fuel,” blue mugs, a smartphone, and a red bell are also visible. One person is actively carving or drawing on a teal sheet while others participate in similar tasks.

“Those participating were very engaged and have made wonderful things – they’re all excited to see the final piece and talking about continuing with lino which is super exciting! Overall, this group has been great to work with and I think (and hope) they’ve gained something from the conversations and new artform of the sessions.”

Artist Amy Langdown

Take a listen to the poem inspiring the project

Thank you to the project funders.

Thank you to North Tyneside Libraries and Our Freedom Fund.