A musical event dedicated to exploring the unheard stories of the Ordsall community is coming to the area.
Taking place on Saturday 5 August from 11-3.30, the day of music will display works produced as part of the ongoing ‘Fault lines’ project, a local history scheme focussed on capturing the voices of the community.
Funded by the ‘Everyday Heritage grant’ by Historic England and delivered by neurodiversity charity, Starling, the project has seen Ordsall residents, business owners, youth groups and volunteers interviewed over a ninth-month period on important moments of their life in the area.
These tapes have then been organised into a series of musical productions which will be performed at the event, and an extended podcast, which will be released this September.
Lead artist and musician with family ties to Ordsall, Dan Lucas explained: “The project is really community focussed, especially with the area changing a lot.
“It is a way to capture a small piece of the past and the present before it may change. We don’t know what it’s going to be like in five or ten years, so it’s been good to capture the voices of the people who live there. Its changing so fast and lots of people want to hear from those who have the memories.
“It captures a moment in time and they’re now on tape. Whether it’s from 30 years ago, or something from 2023. It’s about capturing the fragments in time so we can make something emotive that people can listen to.”
Dan has conducted each interview, the most memorable of which being a local volunteer who spoke of the demolition of the Salford cranes. He said: “One gentleman told us about the day the two cranes got knocked down in 2013. It was inspiring because you don’t realise how much in the name of progress, is lost of the community. It’s a sad one, but it’s touching. You can hear the memory in his voice, how much they meant to him.
“The progress of building and expansion has affected what people find quite precious in the past and how the idea of value doesn’t always translate to the people making decisions. Everyone has a different interpretation of community, but I think I’ve actually seen it, and heard it.”
“Even capturing the accents of tape is important. The nostalgia of having a living, breathing memory is important.”
Dan is currently working to produce the musical accompaniments for the event, alongside his friend, Tim, who supported in the interview stage.
Dan’s dad and uncle, who are both Ordsall born-and-bred, have supported the project and are helping to organise the August event. Dan said: “To everyone whose got involved, thank you. Without them being open and welcoming, we wouldn’t have a project.
“The biggest thing about a project like this, is gaining community trust. The memories people are sharing are very personal, but without that trust and relationship-building, there’s nothing. It’s been great to archive these stories because if you aren’t careful, before you know it, it’s gone.
“I want to elevate their voices and everyone is really keen to communicate how good it is in the community and that they’re proud of.”
The Stories and Sounds Fault Line project event will take place on Saturday 5 August at Salford Lad’s Club, with music being shared online at a later date. The ‘Fault Lines’ podcast will be released in September across all podcast streaming platforms.
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