It unfolded a new way of theatre. It was pretty cool!
— School Pupil

Image credit - Mark Savage

You have found a Staiths Story!

Poppy’s Potion

Three Girls Meet

Staiths Story Quest

Look Around – Follow the Trail and Find More! 

Walk alongside Dunston Staiths and unlock tales co-created with local children. Each stop reveals a magical world inspired by the riverside and the children’s big imaginations. There’s also a challenge from them to create your own story!

These stories were co-created with children from St Aidan's CE Primary School, writer Becci Sharrock, performer Harrison Rowley-Lynn, director Annie Rigby and the team at Unfolding Theatre. 

Staiths Story was a Riverside Routes x Tyne Derwent commission on behalf of Gateshead Council Art team.

Riverside Routes x Tyne Derwent Way are a series of projects with schools, community groups and the public commissioned by Gateshead Council Arts Team. These projects engage people with the heritage, culture and nature along a 9 mile stretch of the rivers Tyne and Derwent from St Mary’s Heritage Centre to Gibside.

The Tyne Derwent Way is a partnership between Gateshead Council, Tyne and Wear Building Preservation Trust, The National Trust, Newcastle and Northumbria Universities and other partners. You can learn more here.

Riverside Routes is funded by the UK government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund. The UK Shared Prosperity Fund aims to improve pride in place and increase life chances across the UK investing in communities and place, supporting local business, and people and skills.

The North East Combined Authority (North East CA) was formed on 7 May 2024. It is led by Elected Mayor Kim McGuinness and the Cabinet and covers the seven local authority areas of County Durham, Gateshead, Newcastle, North Tyneside, Northumberland, South Tyneside and Sunderland.


I enjoyed it because we had the opportunity to do something special
— School Pupil

Writers
Year 4 and Year 6 at St Aidan’s CE Primary & Becci Sharrock

Storytellers
Year 4 and Year 6 at St Aidan’s CE Primary & Harrison Rowley-Lynn

Sound & Video Design
Garry Lydon

Director
Annie Rigby

Design
Wayne Gamble

Project Producer for Gateshead Council
Elizabeth Kane


In association with Gateshead Council and Tyne Derwent Way