The Suitcase Ensemble’s much anticipated ‘Edgy: The Railway Cabaret’ happened at Edge Hill Station last Saturday.

The Suitcase Ensemble performed some of their own songs along with traditional railway songs in the show. As usual they were hilarious, quirky and wonderful! They were joined by some pigeons, ‘Soundtracks’ (Music and drama group ran by The Suitcase Ensemble) performing sound bites inspired by The Edge Hill Archive. Dance Company ‘China Pearl’ performed a dance inspired by the station specially choreographed for the event, Rebecca Joy Sharp performed her poems and music from ‘The Ballad of Juniper Davy and Sonny Lumiere’ and Hip Hop duo ‘Insanity Hurts’ had their debut performance of their poignant songs – watch out for those guys! Click here to listen to some of their stuff. The day was compered by the ‘The Railfan Three’

Photos by Mycroft Milverton

Whilst on their residential in Liverpool, pupils and teachers from Lowther Endowed Primary School, Cumbria visited Metal at Edge Hill Station. They enjoyed delicious Carribbean food from nearby Raggas Carribbean takeaway and told a little bit about the station. We then all walked to St Anne's Primary school to meet the pupils there and for a fun drama workshop with Natasha and Eliza, who also run Platform - A youth theatre based at Edge Hill Station. Each group then presented a collage they had previously made to the other group expressing their interests and a little bit about their area. 

Both schools are keen to develop a continuing relationship and there was even talk of a possible future visit of St Anne's pupils to Cumbria.

On Wednesday evening with support from St Helens Council, Metal opened “Made in St Helens” an exhibition of stunning portraits, landscapes and architecture at The Godfrey Pilkington Gallery in St Helens. London based photographer, Phil Starling was invited to St Helens by Metal’s Liverpool Director, to take portraits of 12 of Ian’s friends who drink in his local pub, The Turks Head. The men’s ages range from 25 to 85 and Ian has encouraged the men to write about growing up in the town and to give particular emphasis on the role that Mothers played in their lives. A collection of personal photographs and objects belonging to the Mums’ is being shown as part of the exhibition. Marie Rimmer CBE, Leader of St Helens Council opened the exhibition claiming it was the best she had seen in the town and further describing the work “ as a very important collection of memories”, Marie also offered her help to Metal to secure support for a publication to made of the photographs and the memories, the book will create a unique overview of life in this Industrial Northern town over the past 80 years.