Tag: Ruby Hartley

As North Shields prepares its bid for Town of Culture, the conversation often turns to galleries, music venues and festivals. While these are vital, we must remember that a child’s first introduction to culture isn’t found in a museum - it’s found on their own doorstep. Children’s play is the purest form of cultural expression. When a child chalks on a pavement or invents a game with neighbours, they are building the creative foundations that lead to a lifelong love of the arts. Recently, I met with Professor Alison Stenning, a local resident, who has spent years championing this idea. Having run the Play Streets scheme across North Tyneside, she views these sessions as more than just physical activity.