Sound Walk - Creative Writing Workshops

Would you like to take part in creating a Sound Walk for Gilsland?

We’re looking for people who love storytelling, history, and creativity to take part in a unique project that will bring Hadrian’s Wall to life through sound and narrative.

This project will create an immersive geolocated audio dramas connecting people with the history and landscape of Hadrian’s Wall. Using the free Echoes app, you’ll help produce a digital experience combining storytelling, soundscapes, and music, allowing walkers to explore the heritage of Poltross Burn Milecastle, Willowford Roman Bridge, and Harrows Scar Milecastle in an engaging and accessible way—straight from their own mobile devices.

Get Involved

We’re inviting local people to take part in the creation of this project. Whether you’re interested in writing, performing, or simply exploring, there are opportunities to get involved through workshops and recording sessions running throughout Winter 2025 and Spring 2026

You can:

• Join our creative writing group to help develop stories inspired by the Wall

• Take part as a community voice actor bringing those stories to life

• Attend site visits and sharing events to learn more about local history and sound recording

All activities are free, and no previous experience is needed — just curiosity and enthusiasm.

What You’ll Do

Working alongside a creative writer, sound artist, and creative producer, you’ll:

• Visit the sites with an historian/archaeologist to explore Roman life and uncover the stories of those who lived and worked there.

• Research and develop characters and narratives inspired by the sites and your own discoveries.

• Collaborate with the group to create three short dramatic scripts.

• Record the scripts with a community cast, integrating original sounds captured on-site to build a truly immersive audio journey.

  
  

Key Dates

Site visits and research: Saturday 15th November 10.00am - 12.30pm

Join tour guide Catherine Jarvis (Handy Histories) for a guided walk from Birdoswald to Willowford Bridge, discovering Hadrian’s Wall on our doorstep. After the walk, enjoy refreshments at Gilsland Village Hall and get creative with willow artists — designing and making your own to carry in the parade. Meet at Birdoswald Car Park. Lifts back will be provided. 

FREE to take part. Register your interest by email info@greencroftonthewall.com

Script development and writing sessions

Join the creative writing group led by writer Susannah Ronnie who offer creative starting points in developing characters and narratives inspired by the sites and your own research. Collaborate with the group to create three short dramatic scripts that will form the sound walks.

The weekly sessions will take place at The Threshing Barn.

• Thursday 8th January 1.00pm - 3.00pm

• Thursday 15th January 1.00pm - 3.00pm

• Thursday 22nd January 1.00pm - 3.00pm

• Thursday 29th January 1.00pm - 3.00pm

• Thursday 5th February 1.00pm - 3.00pm

Free to take part. Book at ticket to register your attendance.

Recording and sound design

Week beginning the 9th February & 16th February. Dates & times to be confirmed.

Your scripts will be recorded with a community cast, integrating original sounds captured on-site with sound artist Kit Haigh, to build an immersive audio journey

Sound Walk Launch

The Sound Walk will be launched on Friday 27th February 2026.

Interested? Any questions? 

Be part of a project that blends history, creativity, and technology, creating an experience that others will enjoy as they walk in the footsteps of the Romans.

Get in touch by emailing info@greencroftonthewall.com