The Ballad of The Crocodile and the Underpass

This special event will mark the culmination of The Ballad of the Crocodile and the Underpass, a project celebrating Washington's 60th anniversary as a New Town. Funded by the National Lottery Heritage Fund, the project has gathered local stories and memories through songwriting, photomontage, and podcasts.

Musicians David Brewis (Field Music) and Paige Temperley worked with community members and young people to turn these stories into original songs, which will be performed live at Arts Centre Washington on the 13th of March.

Alongside the performances, an exhibition by artist Tommy Anderson will be unveiled, featuring photomontages that explore Washington's industrial and social heritage. The latest podcast in the series, created with the University of Sunderland, will also be released, along with a 100-page publication.

Washington Heritage Partnership, which includes Sunderland Culture and Sunderland City Council, has led the project.