Wharton Park

A history of industry and creativity

Hamish Horsley, The Way. 1994, Portland stone.

Tommy Craggs, William Lloyd Wharton, 2016. Wooden statue.

In 1857 William Lloyd Wharton established Wharton Park to the north of the train station. As well as being chair of the North East Railway and Sheriff of Durham, Wharton was a prominent philanthropist who created the park for the people of Durham. Here they could watch trains pass by from a mock-castle known as the Battery, play sports, and put on shows in its amphitheatre. Much has changed over the years, but the park remains a testament to the overlap between Durham's industrial and creative histories.

Here we explore public art on display in the park with selected works from Durham University's Art Collection, creating a cultural portrait of Durham's history and communities.

Created by Louise Plant, Ps in a Pod is a collection of sculptures that explore what it is to be human. They are similar, but slightly different, just like people. We are all individuals, but there is much in common between us, often more than we think.

The abstract forms represent energy and dynamism, rather than static images. Consider how their placement in a public area affects this - it is poetic that a piece about community is in a shared space where anyone can walk past it.

You can find a documentary about the process behind creating these sculptures, and how they have been made to specifically reflect the community of County Durham, here.

St. Cuthbert, enshrined at the cathedral, is central to Durham's history. His story is one of faith and miracles, but also of a journey - a life that was led in different directions, from the military to a monastery.

The Way, is an abstract representation of this journey through highs and lows, and it is one that thrives in its location. Standing in the centre and looking out, the view leads to Durham Cathedral, St. Cuthbert's final resting place. The sculpture is both a physical object and an experience with this significant view.

The Way has been in its current location since 1994. The portland stone, no longer pristine, has become part of the landscape and park itself.

Click here for the artist's website as well as a greater history of the sculpture.

Hamish Horsley, The Way, 1994. Portland stone.

Hamish Horsley, The Way, 1994. Portland Stone.

**W.B. Hindmarsh,** **Durham Miners' Gala, 2011. Oil on canvas. Durham University Collection.**

**W.B. Hindmarsh,** **Durham Miners' Gala, 2011. Oil on canvas. Durham University Collection.**

Tucked away in Wharton Park's Heritage centre is a colourful banner. This was created by Emma Shankland alongside children from local primary schools, celebrating the fact that the first ever Miners' Gala was held in the park in 1871. For more information, click here .

The Miners' Gala has been an inspiration to many artists. In Miners' Gala W.B Hindmarsh, himself a former miner, pays tribute to both the energy of the event and the dynamism of the people who participate. Here they are seen parading down New Elvet on their way to the race course.

Unfortunately, owing to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, the Miners' Gala was cancelled both in 2020 and 2021. But the community Hindmarsh depicts is resilient, and this is certainly not the end for this event.

Tom McGuinness also explores the tradition of Miners' Galas. Beyond the city of Durham, the event has spread to towns and villages across the North East, culminating in the main event. The mining community is not one limited to a specific location, but a social and creative phenomenon.

After working as a miner for thirty-nine years, McGuinness saw both the rise and fall of the North East's mining industry during his lifetime. Here, however, he celebrates the timeless nature of these traditions and what they mean for the county.

**Tom McGuinness,** **Seaham, Gala Day,** **1992. Lithograph. © Estate of Tom McGuinness. All rights reserved. DACS 2021.**

**Tom McGuinness,** **Seaham, Gala Day,** **1992. Lithograph. © Estate of Tom McGuinness. All rights reserved. DACS 2021.**

**Craig Oldham,** **In Loving Memory of Work, Never Forgive Never Forget, 2015. Plastic composite print. Durham University Collection.**

**Craig Oldham,** **In Loving Memory of Work, Never Forgive Never Forget, 2015. Plastic composite print. Durham University Collection.**

The legacy of the Miners' strikes of the 1980s can still be felt today. People still live in the North East who lost their jobs and livelihoods, and many were the victims of brutal suppression from the police.

Craig Oldham's In Loving Memory of Work is a book documenting the strikes. It is a story of resistance, dissent and creativity. It is both a social and visual history, showing how the mining community stood in defence of their way of life.

Oldham curates work by artists, typographers, poets, filmmakers, musicians and more to create a vivid portrait of both the strikes and the wider response. It was an era that saw involvement from all sectors of society, from the LGBT+ community to politicians and housewives, that transformed the dynamics of modern Britain.

To learn more about the book and for further online resources regarding the Miners' Strikes, click here.

In Loving Memory of Work is in support of the Orgreave Truth & Justice campaign, which seeks justice for the victimisation of miners at the hands of the police and the subsequent coverup. Read more here .

Wharton Park is a testament to how Durham's history has shaped its art and presence. It is the marriage of industry and creativity within a public space. So when in the park, spare a moment to visit Shankland's banner in the Heritage Centre, and see some of the photos of the first ever Miners' Gala. Ultimately, Wharton park is a space created by and for Durham's community.

List of Artworks & Images used

1. Hamish Horsley, The Way. 1994, Portland stone.

2. Tommy Craggs, William Lloyd Wharton, 2016. Wooden statue.

3. Louise Plant, Ps in a Pod, 2017. Cast iron. (three images)

4. Hamish Horsley, The Way, 1994. Portland stone.

5. W.B. Hindmarsh, Durham Miners' Gala, 2011. Oil on canvas. Durham University Collection.

7. Craig Oldham, In Loving Memory of Work, Never Forgive Never Forget, 2015. Plastic composite print. Durham University Collection.