DOGPEOPLE: A Social History of Flapping in County Durham

Louise Powell
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DOGPEOPLE is an exploration and celebration of ‘flapping’, a type of greyhound racing which took place at independent tracks across England for over ninety years. Over eight episodes, you’ll hear from the men and women who were regulars at County Durham’s flapping tracks. They'll take you on a journey through the heyday of flapping through to its devastating decline and the switch to licensed greyhound racing. DOGPEOPLE is part of a broader Combined Arts project which is supported using public funding from Arts Council England and commissioned by No More Nowt.

Episodes

  1. 8 • Just Gorrer Get On With It

    06/08/2024

    8 • Just Gorrer Get On With It

    In this final episode of the series we're going to focus on licensed dog racing. There are tales of five-hour journeys and how it feels to broadcast greyhound racing live on telly. What’s that change from independent to licensed racing meant for us Dogpeople? Dogpeople: Just Gorrer Get On With It is written and narrated by Dr Louise Powell, and audio edited and produced by Bridget Hamilton. It features clips from interviews with Peter Richardson, Tom Heilbron, Colin Watson, Peter McLaughlin, John Ingham, Rob Crawford, Caroline McCormack, Trev and Iris Liddle and Kenny Metcalfe. It also draws upon off-record interviews with multiple Dogpeople who wished to remain anonymous. This episode is the eighth and final in a podcast series which forms part of a broader Combined Arts project called Dogpeople. The Dogpeople project is supported using public funding from Arts Council England, and commissioned by No More Nowt’s ‘Untold Stories’ strand. It is delivered in partnership with No More Nowt, Redhills Durham, New Writing North, The Story at Mount Oswald and Wheatley Hill Heritage Centre. Special thanks must also go to Gary Philipson and Lyndsey Mack at BBC Radio Tees, Anna Disley, Lucie and Joe of Sunderland Greyhound Stadium, and Jeff McKenna and Dave Gray of Pelaw Grange Greyhound Stadium.

    24 min
  2. 7 • It Nearly Broke My Heart

    06/01/2024

    7 • It Nearly Broke My Heart

    In episode 7, we're talking about the decline of flapping - how those lively community hubs succumbed one by one, til no flapping tracks were left - and the devastating effect it had on the Dogpeople. How could a sport which meant so much to so many die out so quickly? Dogpeople: It Nearly Broke My Heart is written and narrated by Dr Louise Powell, and audio edited and produced by Bridget Hamilton. It features clips from interviews with John Davison, Kenny Metcalfe, Trev and Iris Liddle, Kieran Carter and Peter Richardson. It also draws upon off-record interviews with multiple Dogpeople who wished to remain anonymous. This episode is the seventh in a podcast series which forms part of a broader Combined Arts project called Dogpeople. The Dogpeople project is supported using public funding from Arts Council England, and commissioned by No More Nowt’s ‘Untold Stories’ strand. It is delivered in partnership with No More Nowt, Redhills Durham, New Writing North, The Story at Mount Oswald and Wheatley Hill Heritage Centre. Special thanks must also go to Gary Philipson and Lyndsey Mack at BBC Radio Tees, Anna Disley, Lucie and Joe of Sunderland Greyhound Stadium, and Jeff McKenna and Dave Gray of Pelaw Grange Greyhound Stadium.

    19 min
  3. 6 • Everyone Would Help Everyone

    05/25/2024

    6 • Everyone Would Help Everyone

    In Episode 6, we'll be talking about the sense of togetherness you feel being part of the flapping community. There are tales of meeting spouses and learning how to better train your dog; the generosity of owners and the pleasure of being known years after you last went to a track. What did it mean to be one of the Dogpeople? Dogpeople: Everyone Would Help Everyone is written and narrated by Dr Louise Powell, and audio edited and produced by Bridget Hamilton. It features clips from interviews with John Ingham, Len O’ Donnell, Trev and Iris Liddle, Dave, Sandra Devine, Peter Richardson and Kieran Carter. It also draws on off-record interviews with two dogmen who wished to remain anonymous. This episode is the sixth in a podcast series which forms part of a broader Combined Arts project called Dogpeople. The Dogpeople project is supported using public funding from Arts Council England, and commissioned by No More Nowt’s ‘Untold Stories’ strand. It is delivered in partnership with No More Nowt, Redhills Durham, New Writing North, The Story at Mount Oswald and Wheatley Hill Heritage Centre. Special thanks must also go to Gary Philipson and Lyndsey Mack at BBC Radio Tees, Anna Disley, Lucie and Joe of Sunderland Greyhound Stadium, and Jeff McKenna and Dave Gray of Pelaw Grange Greyhound Stadium.

    21 min
  4. 5 • Flapping Lads Liked a Bet

    05/18/2024

    5 • Flapping Lads Liked a Bet

    It’s betting that we’re going to be hearing more about in Episode 5. There are tales of money lost and won; people who could make a living out of betting on their dogs. What was it like to land a gamble at a flapping track? Dogpeople: Flapping Lads Liked A Bet is written and narrated by Dr Louise Powell, and audio edited and produced by Bridget Hamilton. It features clips from interviews with Peter McLaughlin, Willie, Tony and Marilyn McDowell, Kenny Metcalfe, Colin Watson and Trev and Iris Liddle. It also draws on off-record interviews with Peter Wilkinson, two former bookies who stood at County Durham’s flapping tracks, and eight Wheatley Hill men who wished to remain anonymous. This episode is the fifth in a podcast series which forms part of a broader Combined Arts project called Dogpeople. The Dogpeople project is supported using public funding from Arts Council England, and commissioned by No More Nowt’s ‘Untold Stories’ strand. It is delivered in partnership with No More Nowt, Redhills Durham, New Writing North, The Story at Mount Oswald and Wheatley Hill Heritage Centre. Special thanks must also go to Gary Philipson and Lyndsey Mack at BBC Radio Tees, Anna Disley, Lucie and Joe of Sunderland Greyhound Stadium, and Jeff McKenna and Dave Gray of Pelaw Grange Greyhound Stadium.

    21 min
  5. 4 • I Just Love Every Dog

    05/11/2024

    4 • I Just Love Every Dog

    It’s the greyhounds themselves that we’re going to be focusing on in Episode 4. How you’ve got to get to know the character of each dog; what you have to do to get them fit. There are tales of Road Work and feeding fresh; a dog nursed back to health who became a local celebrity. How would you get your greyhound ready to race at a flapping track? Dogpeople: I Just Love Every Dog is written and narrated by Dr Louise Powell, and audio edited and produced by Bridget Hamilton. It features clips from interviews with Trev and Iris Liddle, Peter McLaughlin, Len O’ Donnell, Kenny Metcalfe, Tom Heilbron, Kieran Carter and Richie. This episode is the fourth in a podcast series which forms part of a broader Combined Arts project called Dogpeople. The Dogpeople project is supported using public funding from Arts Council England, and commissioned by No More Nowt’s ‘Untold Stories’ strand. It is delivered in partnership with No More Nowt, Redhills Durham, New Writing North, The Story at Mount Oswald and Wheatley Hill Heritage Centre. Special thanks must also go to Gary Philipson and Lyndsey Mack at BBC Radio Tees, Anna Disley, Lucie and Joe of Sunderland Greyhound Stadium, and Jeff McKenna and Dave Gray of Pelaw Grange Greyhound Stadium.

    21 min
  6. 3 • Every Day a Different Track

    05/04/2024

    3 • Every Day a Different Track

    Episode 3 is all about the many flapping tracks across the breadth and width of County Durham. There are tales of tracks in the middle of terraced streets and tracks sat in a field behind a pub. Tracks set up by famous showmen and others that defied tragedy to keep open. What were they like, these places that meant so much to us Dogpeople?  Dogpeople: Every Day a Different Track is written and narrated by Dr Louise Powell, and audio edited and produced by Bridget Hamilton. It features clips from interviews with Kenny Metcalfe, Willie, Tony and Marilyn McDowell, Len O’ Donnell, Peter McLaughlin and John Ingham. It also draws upon interviews with Peter Wilkinson, Dave, my ‘Reliable Source’ and three women who wished to remain anonymous. This episode is the third in a podcast series which forms part of a broader Combined Arts project called Dogpeople. The Dogpeople project is supported using public funding from Arts Council England, and commissioned by No More Nowt’s ‘Untold Stories’ strand. It is delivered in partnership with No More Nowt, Redhills Durham, New Writing North, The Story at Mount Oswald and Wheatley Hill Heritage Centre. Special thanks must also go to Gary Philipson, Lyndsey Mack and Dave Llewellyn at BBC Radio Tees, Anna Disley, Lucie and Joe of Sunderland Greyhound Stadium, and Jeff McKenna and Dave Gray of Pelaw Grange Greyhound Stadium.

    22 min
  7. 2 • The Dogs Fetched Us Up

    04/27/2024

    2 • The Dogs Fetched Us Up

    In Episode 2, you'll hear from the children who grew up on the flapping tracks – though, of course, they’re adults now. Adults with strong and fond memories of growing up going flapping. There are details of track cafés and dabbles on the Tote; trackside jobs and dogs that sparked a lifelong love of the sport. What could children do at a flapping track? DOGPEOPLE: The Dogs Fetched Us Up is written and narrated by Dr Louise Powell, and audio edited and produced by Bridget Hamilton. It features clips from interviews with Caroline McCormack, Willie, Tony and Marilyn McDowell, Dave, Peter Richardson, John Davison, John Ingham and Richie. This episode is the second in a podcast series which forms part of a broader Combined Arts project. The DOGPEOPLE project is supported using public funding from Arts Council England and commissioned by No More Nowt. It is created in partnership with No More Nowt, Redhills Durham, New Writing North, The Story at Mount Oswald and Wheatley Hill Heritage Centre. Special thanks also go to Gary Philipson and Lyndsey Mack at BBC Radio Tees, Anna Disley, Lucie and Joe of Sunderland Greyhound Stadium, and Jeff McKenna and Dave Gray of Pelaw Grange Greyhound Stadium.

    20 min
  8. 1 • A Working-Class Sport

    04/20/2024

    1 • A Working-Class Sport

    Britain’s first official greyhound race took place at Belle Vue Stadium in Manchester in 1926, and within a few years there were licensed and flapping tracks popping up all around the country. By the 1940s, there were over ten flapping tracks operating in County Durham. From Stanley to the North to Stockton in the south, Hartlepool in the east and Coundon further west, tracks sprang up in areas of heavy industry; particularly those with connections to coal mining. In our opening episode, we delve into the origins of flapping - who the very first dogpeople were, and why they became hooked on the sport. --- DOGPEOPLE: A Working-Class Sport is written and narrated by Dr Louise Powell, and audio edited and produced by Bridget Hamilton. It features clips from interviews with John Davison, Colin Watson, Kenny Metcalfe, Kieran Carter and Peter McLaughlin. It also draws upon off-record interviews with eight Wheatley Hill men who wished to remain anonymous. This episode is the first in a podcast series which forms part of a broader Combined Arts project. The DOGPEOPLE project is supported using public funding from Arts Council England and commissioned by No More Nowt. It is created in partnership with No More Nowt, Redhills Durham, New Writing North, The Story at Mount Oswald and Wheatley Hill Heritage Centre. Special thanks also go to Gary Philipson and Lyndsey Mack at BBC Radio Tees, Anna Disley, Lucie and Joe of Sunderland Greyhound Stadium, and Jeff McKenna and Dave Gray of Pelaw Grange Greyhound Stadium.

    17 min
  • 8 Episodes

About

DOGPEOPLE is an exploration and celebration of ‘flapping’, a type of greyhound racing which took place at independent tracks across England for over ninety years. Over eight episodes, you’ll hear from the men and women who were regulars at County Durham’s flapping tracks. They'll take you on a journey through the heyday of flapping through to its devastating decline and the switch to licensed greyhound racing. DOGPEOPLE is part of a broader Combined Arts project which is supported using public funding from Arts Council England and commissioned by No More Nowt.

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