Trailblazers by Periplum

periplum heritage

Celebrating Tees Valley women as innovators, activists, workers and adventurers. These are the Trailblazers - their stories, their lived experience, their words.

  1. 09/02/2025

    Episode 1: Vici Wreford-Sinnott, Punk Activist and Theatre-Maker

    Hartlepool-born writer, director and Disability rights activist Vici talks about discovering counter-culture while growing up in a pit village in the East Durham coalfield. She shares her memories of moving to London where “the streets were paved with punk”, her love of bands including New Model Army and Spear Of Destiny, and of being inspired by the DIY ethos of the movement.  Vici talks about the evolution of her career as a theatre-maker. She recalls her award-winning work in the Republic of Ireland, her part in holding one of the first disability arts festivals, and her decision to return to the north-east to make work that reflects the lives of her and her friends, including her 2025 production ‘Unruly’.  Vici talks about her conditions, mental and physical, about the urgent challenges facing Disabled people in Britain today, and the political necessity of being a Disability Rights Activist.  She discusses society’s obsession with perfection, the good and the bad in the high-profile media surrounding the London 2012 Paralympics, and how the struggle for equity continues. She also pays homage to her fellow travellers, and some of the many trailblazers and inspirational figures in the disabled arts world.  Interviewed by Claire Raftery. Audio Mastered by Barry Han. Edited by Damian Wright. Funded by National Lottery Heritage Fund.   For full transcript please contact periplumcic@gmail.com   The words and opinions expressed in this podcast are solely those of the interviewee and do not necessarily reflect the views or opinions of Periplum, or any other individual, organisation or funding body associated with the interview.

    44 min

  2. 09/02/2025

    Episode 2: Christine Sketchley, Educational Psychologist

    On 2nd August 1990, in the lead-up to the first Gulf War, British Airways flight 149 was grounded in Kuwait. Christine was on-board that flight, and was one of 385 passengers and crew taken hostage by the Iraqi military. She describes how that life-changing experience has informed her practice as an educational psychologist dedicated to improving children’s lives.     The innovator behind the revolutionary Adults First system, Christine talks about growing up in Manchester, her childhood and education, and the influence of the rock band The Doors in choosing psychology as a career path. A 20-year resident of Norton in Stockton-on-Tees, Christine describes her innovative methods which are inspired by animal psychology and seek to empower parent-carers to effect positive change for young people.   Interviewed by Claire Raftery, Audio Mastered by Barry Han. Edited by Damian Wright. Funded by National Lottery Heritage Fund For full transcript please contact periplumcic@gmail.com   The words and opinions expressed in this podcast are solely those of the interviewee and do not necessarily reflect the views or opinions of Periplum, or any other individual, organisation or funding body associated with the interview.

    33 min

  3. 09/02/2025

    Episode 3: Amy Walton and Kelly Ensbury, Founders of Urban Kaos

    Now celebrating their 20th year, Urban Kaos Dance Company is led by Stockton-based founders Amy and Kelly. They recall their life-long dancing careers and the evolution of the company - from their rebellion against the body perfectionism of professional dance to forming their own ethos where movement is for everyone.    They talk about their work which has reached thousands of people of all sizes, shapes, ages and backgrounds, including in community centres and schools, with an asylum support group and in Young Offenders Centres. They speak about their award-winning company and how they turned down Dragon’s Den - because they’re not franchiseable. And all of this born from the night they saw a field full of unicorns just off the A1.   Interview by Lynne Lawson. Audio Mastered by Barry Han. Edited by Damian Wright. Funded by National Lottery Heritage Fund. For full transcript please contact periplumcic@gmail.com   The words and opinions expressed in this podcast are solely those of the interviewee and do not necessarily reflect the views or opinions of Periplum, or any other individual, organisation or funding body associated with the interview.

    23 min

  4. 09/02/2025

    Episode 4: Jennifer Yuill, Activist for the 'No More Page 3' Campaign

    10 years ago, the ‘No More Page 3’ campaign finally achieved its goal of removing the regular photographic feature of topless female models shown on Page 3 of The Sun, a self-proclaimed family newspaper.  Hartlepool native Jennifer Yuill was one of the core activists in that movement and recalls her fellow campaigners, the strategies and techniques they deployed, battling with online trolls, and how it felt to succeed in their goal. She talks about the ongoing friendships she made in the movement, her commitment to tackling sexism in the media, and her current work with the Youth Justice Board. Jennifer is an educator and co-founder of Woman Up!, a charity that raises the voices of marginalised, underrepresented and vulnerable women.  Interviewed by Vicky Jackson. Audio Mastered by Barry Han. Edited by Damian Wright. Funded by National Lottery Heritage Fund For full transcript please contact periplumcic@gmail.com   This interview contains swear words. The words and opinions expressed in this podcast are solely those of the interviewee and do not necessarily reflect the views or opinions of Periplum, or any other individual, organisation or funding body associated with the interview.

    45 min

  5. 09/02/2025

    Episode 5: Ella Brewster, Elite Rugby Player & Artist

    Artist, film-maker and professional rugby player Ella describes her journey to the top domestic levels of the sport, from a childhood in Darlington when she was the only girl on the pitch, to playing with some of the best rugby players in the world.   She talks about the camaraderie and friendships born from rugby culture, highlighting the body positivity it encourages and how there’s a place for every size and shape. She also discusses the challenges, from pre-match nerves to injuries and funding cuts. Ella describes her cultural career, inspired by her artist parents Lee and Jill Brewster, and how she’s balanced working creatively at ARC Stockton, Generator North-East and recently the BBC with training and playing rugby at the highest level.   Interviewed by Claire Raftery. Audio Mastered by Barry Han. Edited by Damian Wright. Funded by National Lottery Heritage Fund For full transcript please contact periplumcic@gmail.com   The words and opinions expressed in this podcast are solely those of the interviewee and do not necessarily reflect the views or opinions of Periplum, or any other individual, organisation or funding body associated with the interview.

    46 min

  6. 09/02/2025

    Episode 6: Yusra and Abigail, Mother and Daughter

    Mother and daughter Yusra and Abigail describe their individual journeys from North East Brazil to North East England. Yusra tells how she came to this country in order to find a safer life, for herself and her family. She speaks about her experiences of the asylum system as she was moved from Croydon to Birmingham and finally to Teesside. Teaching herself English, she speaks of the support given by the local drop-in groups, ARC Stockton and the joys of the UK library service.    Meanwhile daughter Abigail talks about uprooting to a new culture, assimilating to a new culture, navigating the asylum system, falling in love with Stockton and finding love in Darlington.   Interviewed by Lynne Lawson. Audio Mastered by Barry Han. Edited by Damian Wright. Funded by National Lottery Heritage Fund For full transcript please contact periplumcic@gmail.com   The words and opinions expressed in this podcast are solely those of the interviewee and do not necessarily reflect the views or opinions of Periplum, or any other individual, organisation or funding body associated with the interview.

    54 min

  7. 09/02/2025

    Episode 7: Maureen Richardson by Chris Corbett, Teesside Archives

    Middlesbrough-based Maureen Richardson was one of a kind - an early environmental campaigner and one-woman protest movement. Here, Chris Corbett, Community Engagement Officer at Teesside Archives, talks about how she found inspiration in the life of Maureen, and how it resonates with her own passion for protecting the natural environment.    Chris describes how the 1970s saw Maureen engage in large and small-scale activism, from taking on Phillips Petroleum and Warners to highlighting wasteful packaging in local shops. Chris recalls how Maureen was immortalised in song by local legend Vin Garbutt and had an oilfield (ironically) named after her.    Chris also highlights the local environmental work of Angela Cooper and the value of community engagement in ensuring Teesside Archives reflects the stories of everyday people.   Interviewed by Damian Wright. Audio Mastered by Barry Han. Edited by Damian Wright. Funded by National Lottery Heritage Fund For full transcript please contact periplumcic@gmail.com   The words and opinions expressed in this podcast are solely those of the interviewee and do not necessarily reflect the views or opinions of Periplum, or any other individual, organisation or funding body associated with the interview.

    35 min

  8. 09/02/2025

    Episode 8: Ellie Lowther, Trans Educator and Founder of the Free to be Me Project

    Ellie - full name Elisha Rosemary Lowther - is founder of the Free to be Me project in Stockton and a Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts. Her work on raising cultural awareness around intersectional inclusion and transgender issues has been nationally and internationally recognised. She has been nominated for a National Diversity Award, formed the all-inclusive choir Systemic, set up the first trans-specific safe house (in Stockton) and addressed the House of Commons.  Ellie talks about all of this and more in a freewheeling, open and frank interview that quotes Kierkegaard and Aldous Huxley. She describes the struggles of coming out in Middlesbrough, being diagnosed with Autism, a life-changing encounter with the notorious serial killer Robert Black, and finding solace in dedicating her life to supporting others and working towards a truly inclusive society.   Interviewed by Claire Raftery. Audio Mastered by Barry Han. Edited by Damian Wright. Funded by National Lottery Heritage Fund For full transcript please contact periplumcic@gmail.com   This interview contains swear words, references to drug use and references to sexual, physical and psychological abuse.   The words and opinions expressed in this podcast are solely those of the interviewee and do not necessarily reflect the views or opinions of Periplum, or any other individual, organisation or funding body associated with the interview.

    1h 4m
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About

Celebrating Tees Valley women as innovators, activists, workers and adventurers. These are the Trailblazers - their stories, their lived experience, their words.

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  • Creator
    periplum heritage
  • Years Active
    2K
  • Episodes
    21
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2025 periplum heritage
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    Trailblazers by Periplum