A railway station friends group and a local theatre company are inviting residents to share stories as part of celebrations commemorating 200 years of the modern railway.
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The Friends of Bitterne Railway Station, in collaboration with local professional theatre company Unexpected Places, are launching Stories from the Station to mark the milestone.
“This initiative will transform Bitterne Railway Station into a stage for real-life tales, celebrating the connections, journeys, and personal histories that shape the local community,” said Unexpected Places.
As previously reported, the theatre company developed a verbatim storytelling piece Our Neck of the Woods in 2016, which it says engaged over 300 participants aged 5 to 86, culminating in “a powerful production attended by more than 1,000 people”.
Now, eight years later, the project is returning under a new name to capture fresh perspectives and explore how the community has evolved.
Residents are invited to share their personal experiences through engagement workshops, a dedicated installation at the station, or via social media.
“Whether it’s a memory linked to Bitterne, reflections on community life, or thoughts on what makes Southampton home, every voice adds to the rich tapestry of the project,” the group added.
A workshop will be held at the station on February 28 from 10.30am to 12pm, and stories can also be submitted online at this link. The deadline is March 19.
The project will culminate in an open day on March 29, featuring a live performance inspired by the submitted stories, a book compiling the contributions, and stalls from local organisations.
For more details, visit UnexpectedPlaces.co.uk or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
Updated 20/2/24. An earlier version said the event was commemorating South Western Railway's 200th year, rather than the modern railway.