Introducing ‘The Gathering’ a way of re-connecting people to Plymouth Sound

1st December 2022

The Conscious Sisters CIC is excited to announce a new, year-long research project called ‘The Gathering’ which aims to re-connect Plymouth people and their communities to Plymouth Sound.

The project will spend the next year collecting ideas from community-based activity to help create a free, large-scale event for the city that celebrates the everyday heritage of The Sound and its lost traditions as well as encouraging people to care for this incredible space.

The Gathering aims to shine a light on the working-class history of Plymouth Sound, celebrating the fishermen, the lighthouse keepers, the able seaman, the coastguards, the dockers, the fishmongers, the huers, the netmakers, the shipwrights and many more occupations long forgotten.

Producer Fiona Evans believes their stories will help us become better stewards of the sea “During Mayflower 400 we realised the history of Plymouth focused entirely on white men who had discovered places where people already lived. The Gathering will demonstrate that we are so much more than the story of colonisation. Plymothians have had a deep relationship with the ocean for centuries. We want to revisit those jobs, stories, songs, events and rituals that meshed our life with the seas.”

Elaine Hayes, Interim CEO of Plymouth Sound National Marine Park, says: “I am delighted that the National Marine Park has been able to support this project; one of the roles of the marine park is to re-connect people with the sea and this project will support this through encouraging people to tell their stories.”

Councillor Pat Patel, the Council’s cabinet member for customer services, culture, leisure and sport said: “This sounds like a wonderful project to get people to tell their stories, their family’s histories and the role they have all played a part in making Plymouth the amazing city it is today.

“It’s so important that people realise history is not just about famous politicians, kings and queens and admirals but their grandparents, their great grandparents and beyond. I can’t wait to learn all about it.”

Largely working within the areas of Stonehouse, Devonport and Whitleigh, alongside popping up at various locations across the city, The Gathering will offer free workshops where people can come along and contribute their ideas and creativity. The project is also looking for working-class stories and memories of Plymouth Sound, its heritage and people.

The first community-based research activity as part of The Gathering has been taking place with students at Brook Green Centre for Learning. The students have been creating a shoal of sardines inspired by the story of the sardines that saved Plymouth during the Civil War and The Conscious Sisters CIC showed this work at the Whitleigh Lantern Festival on Friday 25th November.

For more information on The Gathering, how to be involved and for details of workshops, events and activities, visit theconscioussisters.com and sign up to their mailing list.