Marsden Mechanics has announced an ambitious new cultural initiative named ‘Tenterhooks’, in collaboration with Poet Laureate Simon Armitage, his band LYR, and the local community. This community arts project aims to foster creativity and engagement in the rural area of Marsden, Yorkshire.
It will culminate in a celebratory day of performances and displays during the village’s famous Cuckoo Day on Saturday, 26th April 2025.
A collaborative community effort
Supported by Arts Council England, Marsden Mechanics is working closely with Armitage and LYR to bring this initiative to life. Their shared goal is to involve the local population in the creative process, ensuring that high-quality artistic experiences are accessible to all, regardless of location or income.
This marks the continuation of a successful series of events held at Marsden Mechanics, where local history and heritage have played a pivotal role. Building on this, Tenterhooks aims to expand the venue’s ambitions by involving the community in creating the next chapter of the region’s cultural legacy.
Simon Armitage leads the way
Born in Marsden, Simon Armitage is the driving force behind this project. His love for the village, with its rich historical tapestry, is at the heart of the initiative. Together with his bandmates Richard Walters and Patrick Pearson, Armitage will work to transform the stories and legends of Marsden into new poems and music compositions.
These artistic works will be returned to the community, where local creatives will be encouraged to reinterpret them in diverse mediums.
Bringing Marsden’s stories to life
Through Tenterhooks, the community will be invited to participate in creative storytelling events that uncover Marsden’s untold stories. These will form the foundation of Armitage’s poems, which will then be set to music by LYR. Local artists, musicians, writers, and performers will be supported by Marsden Mechanics as they bring their own interpretations of these works to life, from songs and literature to sculptures and theatre.
The project aims to celebrate Marsden’s unique cultural heritage, both past and present, while fostering creativity within the community. As Jonny Kelly, Marsden Mechanic’s Development Manager, explains,
“Tenterhooks is not just about looking back, but about creating something new that the entire community can be a part of.”
A celebration on Cuckoo Day
All this work will culminate in a grand celebration during Cuckoo Day, an annual event in Marsden. This day will feature performances, art displays, and much more, showcasing the collective creativity of the village. Tenterhooks represents a chance for Marsden’s voice to be heard, resonating through poetry, music, and other art forms.
As Simon Armitage says,
“Marsden is in my blood and in my poems… The Tenterhooks project hopes to turn some of those memories, tales, and legends into the songs, tunes, paintings, writings, and artworks of today and tomorrow.”
This endeavour marks a significant milestone for Marsden, as it continues to punch above its weight in the national cultural scene.
