Audioways Press Release
AUDIOWAYS LAUNCHES FIRST PHASE OF QR CODE RECORDINGS
A new QR audio trail across Lewes district has launched their first set of signs which tell eclectic, site-specific stories - from Lewes ghosts and wartime pig adoption to the fascinating stories of the chalk and flint which surround us.
The first series of these free, easy to access audio recordings begins in Lewes town and at five train stations along the Lewes to Eastbourne line.
With the support of SCRP, Southern, Lewes Town Council, Visit Lewes and Enjoolata, co producers Jeannine Inglis Hall and Galia Pike have worked with a wide range of collaborators from paleontologists, archeologists and historians to residents who have shared their local insights and personal stories to create a series of 26 short audio recordings.
LOCAL STORIES
Featuring diverse themes ranging from local prehistory to history, ecology, archeology and more, the recordings can be accessed via QR code signage dotted around Lewes town and local stations. Participants can listen to these recordings as a singular experience or curate their own route to listen to them all.
WEIRD AND WONDERFUL
With stories as diverse as adopted pigs and ghosts to a 20 year love affair with Lewes FC and the fascinating stories of the chalk and flint which surround us, the project promises a story to interest everyone.
Audioways have worked with a team of Lewes district locals: Susie Maidment, paleontologist at The Natural History Museum, Dr Michael Shapland, senior archeologist from UCL and several Sussex historians including Kevin Gordon, Dom Ramos and Dr Jenny Flood. They have also gathered local voices and oral history recordings (with thanks to the British Library, Imperial War Museum and The Keep).
SHARING OUR STORIES
“We have a wealth of fascinating stories in Lewes. Audioways is a great opportunity to share these - connecting tourists, young people and the wider community to the many tales from our district. Not only will the project make these stories more accessible, it will also create a community resource which can be built upon and evolved over time.”
Co-producer Galia Pike
COMMUNITY BENEFITS
“Everyone will benefit from the project - it’s free at point of access, instantly conveys local knowledge and clearly communicates historical and present connections. The site-specific format will immerse participants in their environment and aims to change our perception of the spaces we inhabit.”
Co-Producer Jeannine Inglis Hall
COUNCIL SUPPORT
Lewes District Council’s Tourism, Arts and Heritage Manager, Helen Browning Smith enthuses “Audioways is a great way to engage with all visitors to Lewes. This is an inventive and fun method of telling the story of our town and it celebrates the unique creative spirit of our brilliant community. I’m looking forward to seeing how the project grows.”
A NOISY LAUNCH
The project launches this summer - date TBC. Lewes’ Town Crier Jon Borthwick will arrive at Lewes Station to bring his trademark booming voice and enthusiasm to proceedings - an appropriate way to announce a project rooted in sound.
ROOM TO GROW
Audioways is due to start work on phase two of their project - creating more codes and telling more stories from around the district.
For more information on Audioways, photographs and graphics, contact galia@audioways.co.uk or visit www.audioways.co.uk