From Archive to Airwaves: 'Abolished?' radio project

Litfest, in partnership with Lancashire Museums Service, commissioned three writers to create new work for broadcast on BBC Radio Lancashire in the run-up to the 2006 literature festival.

In an engaging and thought-provoking project, the writers had the opportunity to search though the archives at the Maritime Museum and Judges Lodgings at material relating to Lancaster’s role in the transatlantic slave trade. They have revealed some  ‘hidden histories’ and brought to life some of the stories and characters they found there.

Beth Broomby’s short story Flesh for Sugar, Rum for Bone is set in the present, from the point of view of a Lancaster student, who is shocked to discover her family’s role in the trade.

Margins by Chris Fittock focuses on a Lancastrian Quaker who has just entered into the trade, in a short play that looks at the ethical struggle between the realities of the trade and his faith.

Cath Nichol’s poem Abolished? explores characters that justify their role in the trade, and the arguments they use for avoiding responsibility for the fact that they are living off its profits.

This project formed part of the lead up to the 'Abolished?' programme of exhibitions and events that mark the bicentenary of the abolition of the trade.

The programme was broadcast in ‘The Feature’ slot on BBC Radio Lancashire Sunday 5 November at 11.30am and repeated on Thursday 9 November at 7.00pm.

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