Exploring the stories and sounds of East Lindsey, Audio Tales invited 22 writers and two community groups to develop place-specific writing across East Lindsey in Lincolnshire. From Mablethorpe and Louth, down to Sibsey and Stickney, Minting to Skegness, East Lindsey is a beautiful and inspirational context for these works. The locations included parks, houses, beaches, statues, streets, churches and a skate park – the diversity and spectrum provided a real representation of the area.

“Our mind is like the sea. Thoughts, ideas and emotions – they also come in waves. Waves come and go. Sometimes crashing, other times, with calm.” Letitia Cookson, Connecting with Nature

The work developed is personal to each writer, even when the topic isn’t autobiographical, you can feel the connection to their chosen place and topic. The vast array of work includes somewhat untold stories of artist Annie Dixon and performer Arthur Lucan, tales of swell within the sea, reflections in nature, documentary of projects and landmarks, ghost stories and historical accounts which evoke myth.

“Walking its gridlines won’t offer you Lincolnshire’s signature fen-to-field landscape, that reliable dividing line running steady between wide sky and stretching farm, but these woods welcome you.” Astrid Natley, Ostler’s Plantation

Following on from the writing process, Director Daniel Morgan and Sound Engineer Tom Milner, worked with 15 professional actors, as well as a number of the writers themselves, at The Pump House Studio in Louth. The atmosphere in the studio was excitable everyday, working on a project with such amazing local connections, with Lincolnshire creatives involved in the process throughout. Some of the works are sombre, others are comical, but all are hugely well produced and inspiring. In addition to the voice work, the team worked tirelessly to ensure sound effects added depth to the works, with two musicians also providing unique sounds.

“Our hard work felt like a Hollywood teen movie, where the losers came out on top and proved themselves worthy of the town’s respect.” Ding, Skegness & Skateboarding. It’s not quite Dogtown.

Joely Mackenzie at Magna Vitae developed an amazing website, with Sarah Palmer’s illustrations bringing the work to life visually. QR codes were then placed at each location, for audiences to explore the work in ‘real life’, alongside the digital map.

For full details about the project, visit the website

This project was commissioned by Magna Vitae Trust for Leisure and Culture, supported using public funding from Arts Council England, via a National Lottery Project Grant.