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Walk the Plank

@walktheplankarts

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Award-winning #outdoorarts experts who create powerful events with mass appeal. Based in the UK, working internationally.

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Thousands came out to Stockton Riverside last night for part two of Ghost Train: The Arrival, a spectacular finale to @sdrfestival, co-produced with @avanti_display.

Festival Director Niccy Halifax said, “What an amazing end to such a moving week of celebration, the crowds were fantastic and in awe of what was presented both in Darlington and Stockton. The storytelling about this little train that changed the world we live in was crafted so beautifully. There really was something for everyone to enjoy. It will be remembered fondly and proudly by all who came. Thank you to Avanti Display and Walk the Plank for working with us over the last 2 years to make this moment so special.”

@stocktoncouncil

📸 Mark Waugh

#OutdoorArts #Stockton by @walktheplankarts

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a year ago

THE BIRTHDAY PARTY! 🎂🎉

Rotherham you are AMAZING! What an unforgettable evening we had saying goodbye to our huge year as the world’s first Children’s Capital of Culture 💛

Thank you to everyone for bringing the best energy to our closing ceremony, it was truly a celebration like no other 🌟

We have some incredibly important thank yous to say -

Artistic directors @walktheplankarts

Directed by Bev Ayre and Richard Babington | Musical composition by Patrick Dineen with children at Grimm & Co. | Lighting by Richard Babington | Pyrotechnics and special effects by Peter Finegan | Costume by Mary Lamb | Fire Garden Designer and Lead Tom Fernyhough | Production managed by Gareth Hughes and Natasha Bennell | Sound Designer @carocsound

Projections by @illuminosvales

The story written by @grimmandco young people, supported by Bev Ayre, Hannah Bacon and Dominic Sharkey | Featuring the cast of The Queen of Hearts by @birdcagestage and Roo’d

Partners @grimmandco | @rmbcevents | @rotherham_music

Support from Assistant Creative Producers Grace Bower, Amber Goulty and Maria Sofragiu from Children’s Capital of Culture.

Thank you to our volunteers!

This event is supported using public funding by @thenationallottery through @aceagrams and by the UK government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund and Gainshare fund.

🎥 Film by @david8photography

#TheBirthdayParty #Rotherham #ChildrensCapitalOfCulture #WalkThePlank by @walktheplankarts

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7 months ago

For the very first time ever, we’ve brought together @LukeJerramArtist’s Gaia and Museum of the Moon inside the ORE Catapult’s Turbine Testing Hall, a spectacular space opening its doors to the public for the first time. To kick off the #FestivalofEnergy, we hosted an inspiring 'in conversation' session with Britain’s first astronaut, Helen Sharman CMG OBE, beneath these breathtaking installations, an event attended by 300 school children.

Running from today through to Sunday 8 March, the festival celebrates creativity and innovation, showcasing Blyth as a global leader in renewable energy.

A limited number of tickets to the Gaia and Museum of the Moon installation have just been released. Don’t miss your chance, book now at Blythcelebrates.co.uk before they’re gone!

The free four-day programme is also packed with other incredible experiences, including:

🌍 Whale Song
🌏 Tower of Light
🌎 Seven new local creative commissions

The Festival of Energy marks the grand finale of #BlythCelebrates, which is part of Energising Blyth - a major regeneration programme that’s transforming the town and placing creativity at its heart.

Commissioned by @Nlandcc. Programmed and Produced by Walk the Plank. In partnership with Port of Blyth, the Offshore Renewable Energy Catapult @ore.catapult, Energy Central Campus and Newcastle University.

📸 Mark McNulty

#OutdoorArts #RenewableEnergy #Regeneration #Space Large illuminated globe of Earth suspended indoors with a smaller moon model beneath it in a spacious, dimly lit venue. by @walktheplankarts

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7 months ago

We're saddened to hear about the passing of Manchester legend, Cllr Pat Karney who championed outdoor arts in the city.

Liz Pugh, Creative Producer of Manchester Day, paid tribute to him, saying, "Cllr Pat Karney championed the idea of Manchester Day from its inception in 2010. Working with him over the past sixteen years to celebrate the diverse communities of Manchester was always enjoyable and sometimes challenging, as he pushed all of us to do more to reach everyone - from Harpurhey and Colleyhurst to Wythenshawe and all points in between. His infectious playfulness saw him riding an enormous Snail, banging the biggest Dhol drum, or playing giant Wackamole on Deansgate - all in the name of good publicity. I will miss him hugely, and we look forward to making next year's Manchester Day the best yet, in his honour."

📸Manchester Day, Mark Waugh by @walktheplankarts

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2 days ago

Be a part of Salford's Centenary year, with @Walk the Plank's Wagon Train Finale on Sunday 25th October in Seedley Park! 🎆

This spectacular outdoor extravaganza will feature aerial performances, dancers, live drumming and fireworks illuminating the night sky.

Want to get involved? Walk the Plank are looking for 🔥🔥🔥 torch bearers (adults and young people over 16) 🔥🔥🔥 to carry a flaming wax torch. You will be part of a short fiery procession, along with other volunteers from across Salford. No experience required, but you will be carrying a flaming torch that may drip wax so we advise people to wear warm clothing (but not your best most expensive jacket) and boots or weatherproof shoes as you will be walking on the grass.
We would like you to arrive for 5pm on the night at Emmanuel Church Community Centre on Langworthy Road Salford M6 5PW for a briefing, ahead of the performance which starts at 6pm. Together we will walk to the Park entrance where the fire torches will be lit by Walk the Plank's team. After the torches are extinguished, you will be able to stand and watch the final ten minutes of the show which will light up the night sky, and then meet up with family/friends.
Please email natasha@walktheplank.co.uk to register your interest by Thursday 22nd October, or visit: https://www.salford100.org.uk/get-involved/be-part-of-salford-s-centenary-celebrations/take-part-in-the-wagon-train-finale/

#TheWagonTrain #Salford100 #SalfordCentenary #Volunteer #Salford by @walktheplankarts

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2 days ago

🔥 REVEALED 🔥 The line-up for next month's #IgniteFireFestival ✨ Experience BODY, an immersive night-time trail that takes centre stage this year. 👣 Journey through 6 zones of the human body brought to life with fire, light, sound and spectacular special effects. Created by multi-award-winning outdoor arts specialists @walktheplankarts this multi-sensory experience is their most ambitious fire and light installation yet. 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Family-friendly 🎟️ FREE to attend ⭐ Sponsored by @thetradecentreuk Are you ready to #IgniteTheFireWithin 20-22 November @rochdaletownhall #RochdaleEvents #FamilyFun #FireFestival #FreeEvent #LightTrail #OutdoorArts taken in Rochdale Town Hall by @walktheplankarts

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2 days ago

Celebrating outdoor arts in the UK: from community arts, street arts, carnival, agitprop to radical theatre and events made for public space, @Bradfordcultureco, working alongside Shanaz Gulzar, have curated the exhibition, Radical Joy.

The exhibition at Loading Bay Gallery is open until Sunday 20 June, and contains works from the 1960s up to the present day. We're thrilled that it will include the hand of our giant Baby, designed and fabricated by Francis Morgan as part of our collaboration with @Mtgstudios, ZARA, in 2016.

The Baby has been the star of two further shows, in line with Walk the Plank's commitments to reusing and recycling where possible: in Rochdale, for Wild Wanders in 2024, we worked with schools to introduce the Baby as a symbol of the future. The Baby also starred in The Birthday Party! finale to the @ChildrensCapitalofCulture, created by Walk the Plank in Rotherham in March 2026.

Discover more about the exhibition and the story of how art in public spaces helped people reclaim them at @bradfordcultureco

📸 Abbie Rose, Sam McQueen, Tim Michell, @RochdaleBoroughCouncil Giant illuminated baby puppet surrounded by people and green stage lights during a nighttime outdoor event. by @walktheplankarts

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3 days ago

We are working hard to make the Salford 100: The Wagon Train Finale as accessible as possible.

As part of this, some of our team did some Deaf Awareness Training with @Manchesterdeafcentre at our home-base of Cobden Works. The training is aimed at helping our team better understand the needs of d/Deaf audiences and artists, and to be better prepared to help on show day.

You can find out more information about The Wagon Train Finale and the accessibility options available to you on our website.

#Outdoorarts #salford100 #deafawareness #britishsignlanguage taken in Walk the Plank by @walktheplankarts

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6 days ago

Our Salford 100 cultural programming partners @fromtheother._ have produced a monumental "living portrait" of the City of Salford in 2026.

The live shows take place tonight and tomorrow at 7.30pm and 8.45pm in Peel Park, Crescent, Salford, M5 4WU, and are free to attend. This ambitious public artwork is led by award-winning artist Matthew Rosier, whose work blends film, sound, and community collaboration.

The video artworks, featuring over 1500 Salfordians, including some of Walk the Plank's team, will be projected onto buildings in the city. Don't miss this incredible installation.

📸 James Speakman PA

#SalfordEverywhere #Salford100 #OutdoorArts @salford_council Blue pedestrian bridge at night with blurred figures crossing and a tall building in the background displaying 'Salford Shopping City' signage. by @walktheplankarts

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7 days ago

Are you a Salford resident? Here are four ways you can get involved in Salford 100: The Wagon Train Finale!

⭐Torchbearers (18+): Join a torchlit procession alongside community groups and residents from across Salford. We're looking for 100 torchbearers, one for each year of the Centenary.

⭐Geolight Carriers (8+, children must be with a guardian): Take part in the River of Light parade, carrying our remotely controlled, colour-changing Geolights. This role is open to all, including family groups.

⭐Energy of Youth (16+): A flashmob moment where you might be carrying props or moving and dancing. This role is ideal for young people who enjoy dancing, performing or movement, and you'll be supported by our movement director.

⭐Audience Greeters (18+): Be one of the first friendly faces people see. You'll welcome audiences, help them find their way, and share information about the event.

What is the Wagon Train Finale? Inspired by the city's industry, the Salford Sioux, today's talent and its bright future, we're producing an outdoor extravaganza to remember.

When is it? Sunday 25 October

Find out how to get involved via the link in our bio

📸 Alina Kondratenko, Rochdale Borough Council, Jason Lock

#TheWagonTrainFinale #Salford100 #OutdoorArts Smiling woman in a red beanie holding a lit torch during a nighttime outdoor procession with others behind her. by @walktheplankarts

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7 days ago

Soon, we'll reveal the line-up for next month's #IgniteFireFestival @rochdaletownhall square and gardens. The most ambitious fire and light installation yet. 🔥 Save the dates: November 20-22. 🔥 #IgniteTheFireWithin taken in Rochdale Town Hall by @walktheplankarts

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8 days ago

Light Up the City (a working group of cultural organisations and @salford_council focused on a collaborative approach to light in the city of Salford) are looking for 3 emerging producers to work with @fromtheother._, @quayscultureuk and @walktheplankarts.

This is a learning experience, with opportunities to work on projects to be presented at the Salford Everywhere event, @beyond_conference BEYOND Festival, @rhsbridgewater and @mediacityuk. Exact roles and responsibilities will be determined by each organisation and may differ slightly.

The contract is for 10 days from October 2026 to March 2027. We welcome emerging producers based in the North West to apply.

Deadline: Monday 19 October 9am

Find out more and apply at the link in bio. Two post-it notes stacked on top of a background image showing colourful light projections on a building's wall at night-time. The post-it notes read 'Open call' and 'Emerging Producers based in Salford / Greater Manchester'. taken in Salford by @walktheplankarts

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11 days ago