Taking an optimistic look at how the climate crisis might shape the future of our town centres throughout April in our Newcastle Common space.
The big issue of climate collapse becomes local with Green Town, which looks at the role of our town centre in saving the environment. From the impact of food wasted by supermarket chains to the carbon cost of demolishing buildings that could be repurposed, we’ve brought together artists, writers, performers, and thinkers who invite you to look again at Newcastle-under-Lyme’s streets, shops, and public spaces, and to decide whether you’re part of the problem or part of the solution.
Green Town runs across our shops in our High Street and Astley Walk Newcastle Common spaces, with some activities taking place outside those spaces from Thursday 7 April to the end of the month. Both spaces will be open to the public Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays from 10am to 3pm. We’ll be adding extra talks, workshops, and demonstrations through the month so watch our social media and shop window for updates!
Information on access and transport for Green Town can be found here.
Take a look at our programme:
Green Town Exhibition
Where? 23 High Street, Newcastle (near St Giles’ Church, opposite Art of Siam restaurant)
When? Thurs 7 to Sat 30 April
In this exhibition, we look at some of the big issues and how they apply to our town centre, and we invite you to take action – big and small – for a better future. Alongside simple activities and artwork, our Green Town exhibition also includes a reading room of books and texts to get you feeling inspired!
Jon Paul Green: Text Works
Where? 23 High Street, Newcastle (near St Giles’ Church, opposite Art of Siam restaurant)
When? Thurs 7 to Sat 30 April
In a series of new paintings, artist Jon Paul Green makes work about climate change, inspired by the words used by climate activists on protest banners. Alongside the paintings, there will be a important quote created with gravel in the shop window, and text pieces (using environmentally friendly chalk) will appear around Newcastle-under-Lyme subways inspired by climate chance protest placards. See if you can spot them in the town!
WILD | LIFE The Pat Callaghan Collection
Where? Astley Walk, Newcastle (On the corner of Lad’s Lane and opposite The Bull’s Head Pub)
When? Thurs 7 to Sat 30 April
In this installation, artist Danny Callaghan shares the work of environmental campaigner Pat Callaghan, who passed away in 2018. Pat was known as a journalist and was involved in creating green spaces in Staffordshire. The exhibition invites us to think about ways we can become activists and campaigners like Pat.
There will also be a series of talks and meetups connecting Pat’s work to today’s activists in the area. Upcoming talks including:
The Green Diagnosis Van
Where? 23 High Street, Newcastle (near St Giles’ Church, opposite Art of Siam restaurant)
When? Thurs 7 to Sat 30 April
An interactive and fun performance offering green prescriptions for health and political engagement. Be assessed by the team, and directed to positive solutions to the crisis we are collectively facing via climate awareness groups locally and nationally.
There is also a pledge tree created by Francesca and Chloe, within the High Street space, for you to write your pledge to help combat climate change and attach!
Listen to the audio description of this activity here.
No.72 Takes Over
Where? 23 High Street, Newcastle (near St Giles’ Church, opposite Art of Siam restaurant)
When? Friday 29 and Saturday 30 April
Join No.72 for activities based around food waste and cooking together include Betty Buffer’s Night In, when we’ll be shown how to make the most of food that might otherwise go to waste, and the Little School of Improbable Cooking when some unlikely chefs will invite families and children to work with them on some fantastical challenges as they create a magical meal together.
Be part of the takeover! Here are some of the activities we have planned:
Why has an Arts Company Opened a Bakery?
When? Friday 29 April 11am to 12pm
A short talk by B arts’ Artistic Director and Co-founder Susan Clarke followed by a Q and A session. Open to all!
Betty Cooks Rubbish
When? Friday 29 April 1pm to 2pm
A cookery demo with tastings with Betty Buffer where Betty make the most of a bag of supermarket surplus food with recipes to take home, also live on social media (captioned). Open to all!
Greening Stoke
When? Friday 29 April 3pm to 4pm
A presentation and surgery to help you get started with community growing. Led by Greening Stoke, who are based at 72. As part of the Soil Association’s Plant and Share Month.
Little School
When? Saturday 30 April 10am to 12pm
B arts famous improbable cooks come to Newcastle and tackle the climate crisis using only food and poetry.
This is a free, ticketed event. Book your tickets here
Little School Drop-in
When? 1pm to 4pm
Come and see us for creative workshops making poetry, food, zines, badges, placards making our commitment to tackle the climate crisis.
More details on all the artists and activities featured in this programme can be found here.
