The day started with a creative writing workshop, led by Doreen Baidoo, where participants worked on poetry and writing inspired by their own memories of public washing and laundry at the washhouse or at home. After a break for refreshments, the participants read out their writing.
Mary Phipps read out her short story “The Sound of the Wash” and demonstrated how she used to create the squinch sound with a tin tub.
This was followed by screenings of some of the sand animation and shadow puppetry films created for the project by pedda Borowski and Mike Stuart.
The next workshop led by Doreen, had everyone learning a clapping chant, based around the phrase “do our washing, with my friends”.
Then Cleo Lake ran a dance workshop, where the participants evolved a dance based on the movements used to do the washing, such as using a posser, turning a mangle, using a washboard and pegging out the clothes. At the end the whole group performed the dance.
It was a joyful and happy event, as the washhouse wimmin were very pleased to see eachother: They had become good friends during the series of workshops that led to this showcase event. There was much laughter and learning, and visitors were very happy to share their own stories of the washhouse.
With thanks to:
The M Shed front of house staff & porters, Lee Hutchinson and Karen MacDonald.
Nick Gray and Helen Manchester of the University of Bristol & Connecting through Culture As we Age.
The workshop facilitators Doreen Baidoo, Cleo Lake.
The Wash house wimmin, Mary, Belinda, Pam, Gill G, Pauline, Silu & Doreen and all those who attended, volunteered and took part in the launch, contributing with stories and memories.
Filming and video editing by Mike Stuart