What's On

FROM THE nostalgic memories inspired by the ice on Ropner Park lake to celebrating Stockton’s rich diversity, we are delighted to showcase a series of poems in our car park stairwell.

In collaboration with Stockton ARC and Tees Women Poets, we held workshops at Wellington Square last October, engaging with our customers to create three poignant pieces of poetry. These poems beautifully capture the thoughts and memories of Stockton-on-Tees.

The poems, crafted by Carmen Marcus, Mel Chilekwa, and Lizzie Lovejoy, were brought to life through the artistry of Alice Faith Byrne and Adele Catchpole.

Chantal Taylor, Marketing Manager at Wellington Square, shared: “I always want to add vibrancy and creativity to the shopping centre, and I love involving the local community in everything we do.

“By engaging with our customers to evoke special memories, I was thrilled that the Tees Women Poets team created three beautiful pieces of prose, now proudly displayed for all our visitors to enjoy.”

The artwork can be found on the wall next to the lift on the first floor of the car park.

See below for the poems in full:

Stockton Sonnet – Carmen Marcus
To me, my love, you’ll always wear that dress,
The one your Mam wore Wednesdays to the dance,
The one her Mam made in best Charleston lace
Black as the ice on Ropner lake before it cracked
And underneath the skirts, your Air-Wear boots
Taking up the widest High Street in the world
With your Queen punk self, and Liberty Spikes.
If the Green Witch of the Tees had had a kid
With the Dragon of the Yard, then you might
Be that Carnival babe, born on Hope Street, nursed
by the ghosts of Castlegate, but I’m a fright
A ghost, a memory tip, you’ve got to leave me pet
Go on my lass, my Stockton – try on the river’s light.

Stockton sonnet – Mel Chilekwa
Stockton, I think of you often, you are
A part of me I hold onto dearly
It matters not, how I came to be, your
Open space is a place that overflows
It grows like a plant, fully fertilised
With diversity, memories and hope
Once you do take the time to look within
You will see, clearly, as we do that
Stockton is clean, protected and friendly
You greet us like a soft, warm melod
My darling lass full of lively memories
Together, we create a harmony
Stockton, you are a beating heart, you
Are art, a fresh start. With love, I thank you.

Stockton, My Sweetheart – Lizzie Lovejoy
My sweetheart is made out of melody
Her music echoes all over our hills
Singing songs of trains, steam hums history
Sound plays ‘till every corner of air fills.
My sweetheart you have great heritage and roots
She would go to the market each Wednesday
She fought battles, winning fights against brutes
She’s the words that we need, but rarely say
My sweetheart’s punk, with a colourful heart
She is noise and riot, parties ‘till dark
Yet she’s the quiet sky at mornings start
Feet in the Shambles, dog yaps in the park
My sweetheart is the place I’ve always known
In her glowing lights, my heart is at home