On Sunday 13th December we transformed the Engine Room at Edge Hill into a seasonal setting of stalls, music, food and fancy dress.  Thanks to everyone who made it such a special day.  Merry Christmas!

"I don't know what to do!" cried Scrooge, laughing and crying in the same breath; and making a perfect Laocoön of himself with his stockings. "I am as light as a feather, I am as happy as an angel, I am as merry as a school-boy. I am as giddy as a drunken man. A merry Christmas to every-body! A happy New Year to all the world! Hallo here! Whoop!  Hallo!" - Charles Dickens A Christmas Carol

Metal have been helping Southend to prepare its bid to become UK City of Culture.  Over the weekend of Friday 4th and Saturday 5th December, Chalkwell Hall hosted an open Cultural House Party and asked 12 locally based artists, writers and musicians to help stimulate ideas, support and feedback on programme ideas and the major impact that the City of Culture status could mean for Southend on Sea.

Over 250 people from the local and creative communities across Southend attended, including school pupils, cultural leaders, local elected politicians and members of the general public came for a very constructive and creative brainstorming session. 

The bid is submitted today (Friday 11th December) with much of these collective ideas and flavour included.  Fingers crossed.

To register your support for Southend UK City of Culture Bid click here.

Over the past 6 months Metal working with culturepool and UHC have been gathering ideas and thoughts from people living in neighbouring communities around Edge Hill Station on how the Liverpool Primary Care Trust can adopt and develop their services working in closer partnership with local people, and also how the arts across disciplines can play a more integrated role in health provision.  These images show the dialogue, making and sharing that took place between artists and participants at several venues across Liverpool.  The project culminated in a printed 'Scouse Soul Stew' recipe book and the key messages from the group discussions were transcribed onto banners that have been linked together at a series of 'Big Weave' events involving the project's participants and key staff members of the PCT.

Don't miss the Suitcase Ensemble's next 'Edgy Cabaret' in the screening room at Edge Hill Station next Wednesday the 25th November at 7.30pm and 8.15pm and the return of the Friday film screenings on Friday 27th November at 6pm.  To book a place at either event please email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or come and see us in person at Edge Hill Station (Tues-Sat 11am-4pm).

Admission to both events is free.

(Read more about the 'Edgy Cabaret' here)

We found out this week about Metal's publication 'You Are Here' has won silver at the Roses Design awards.  The Roses are one of the most prestigious awards in the design business and aim to recognise great design work outside of London.  You Are Here is a series of 3 books created with three secondary schools from Southend, Harlow and Harwich.  The books are a demonstration of the creativity, imagination and pride of Essex young people in their home towns.  They act as an alternative tourist guide to the region.

Metal Liverpool, along with the Future Station group, is developing an Oral Archive of memories about Edge Hill Station and the surrounding area.

On 15th August, we held an open day at Edge Hill Station to gather interest for the project, and also to record some memories.

If you have any information, recollections or images about the history of the station or the surrounding area please get in touch. We would love to hear from you!

Thanks to Leon Skensberg for these photographs.

On Thursday 22nd October we opened the doors to our new space in Liverpool Edge Hill Station.  It was a great evening- thanks to all those who came!