Marsden Mechanics Presents ‘Tenterhooks’ on Cuckoo Day 2025

About

In a unique collaboration, Marsden Mechanics has teamed up with Poet Laureate Simon Armitage and the band LYR to create a large-scale community arts project, Tenterhooks. This creative venture will culminate in a day of celebratory performances and exhibitions, forming a major part of the popular local event, Cuckoo Day.

About ‘Tenterhooks’

Supported by Arts Council England, Tenterhooks is a collaborative project aimed at encouraging the local community to engage in storytelling and the creative arts. Simon Armitage, born in Marsden, will develop a series of new poems based on stories and histories from Marsden’s residents. These poems will then be set to music by LYR, the band co-founded by Armitage, Richard Walters, and Patrick Pearson.

Cuckoo Day Celebrations

The culmination of the Tenterhooks project will take place during Marsden’s annual Cuckoo Day celebrations. On Saturday, 26th April 2025, attendees can enjoy performances and viewings of new works of art that reflect Marsden’s unique cultural heritage. This includes:

Original poems by Simon Armitage, set to music by LYR
Community-created works ranging from songs and literature to sculptures and theatre

Community Involvement

At the heart of Tenterhooks is the local community’s involvement. Marsden’s residents will participate in creative workshops, where they will share their stories, myths, and memories of the village. These stories will form the basis of new artistic creations, with local creatives encouraged to interpret them through a variety of mediums.

Marsden Mechanics will provide support to ensure this vision is brought to life, offering resources and guidance to local artists, musicians, and performers.

A Message from Simon Armitage

“Marsden is in my blood and in my poems. It’s a modern village but one with a deep history, full of stories and myths, and the Tenterhooks project hopes to turn some of those memories, tales, and legends of yesterday into the songs, tunes, paintings, writings, and artworks of today and tomorrow.” — Simon Armitage

Looking to the Future

Tenterhooks is not just about celebrating the past, but also about laying the foundation for future cultural events that are inclusive and accessible to all. According to Marsden Mechanics Development Manager, Jonny Kelly, “Connection and inclusion, which encompass the whole community, are our core values. We are proud to contribute to making Marsden a vibrant and compelling place to live, work, and visit.”

Conclusion

By merging Marsden’s rich history with modern creativity, Tenterhooks offers a unique opportunity for the community to shape the village’s artistic and cultural future. Make sure to attend Cuckoo Day on 26th April 2025 to witness the culmination of this extraordinary project.

Event Details: