Saturday, they come: the station heaving, a thousand dreaming, of sea air sublime
Tram engines glisten, as Awdry listens, ‘‘It’s Toby the Tram!’’ Thomas whistles and chimes
Stroll here to open your eyes: a truss of a walk, between three ways, entwined
Vauxhall Bridge clatters, arches stoic – a frisson of steam trains, thundering through time
Herring, coal and salt, haste – whilst barrow boys race, treasures combined!
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In August 2018, I was writing at Norwich Castle, on a residency for the Summer.
While there, Norfolk County Council, along with community group Vauxhall Links, commissioned me to turn their community engagement work, gathering memories with local residents on Great Yarmouth train station, into a site specific text to be engraved in the station forecourt. My novel is partly set in Great Yarmouth, so this was a real honour.
A draft of the poem was shared with the public, at Norwich Castle, that Summer. I was amazed at how many visitors at the Castle happened to be former Great Yarmouth residents, or fans of the place, sharing with me their own memories. ‘The Hippodrome – it’s amazing.’ ‘The architecture.’ ‘It’s a beautiful poem, but you didn’t mention the floods of 1953. I was a boy then’.
Vauxhall Links, who sponsored the poem, are an award winning community initiative that have miraculously raised thousands of pounds, to restore Vauxhall Bridge. Behind it. Miriam Kikis, a powerhouse of drive and passion. The bridge is a much loved local landmark, a symbol of sorts, for the broader drive to regenerate Great Yarmouth.
Great Yarmouth remains a treasure for so many, inspiring fierce loyalty. With strong literary heritage, a thriving art scene, within it are so many ‘treasures, combined’. There is still so much work to be done, but exciting change is happening.
Extra Reading/Content
Enjoy a found poem Market Memories commissioned by Freshly Greated in response to the Market Square in Great Yarmouth here: New Poetry Commission March 2021: ‘Market Memories’ | Ruthie Collins
Read another poem with a Great Yarmouth connection – Dark Horses, in honour of Anna Sewell, author of Black Beauty who was born in Great Yarmouth: Celebrating Anna Sewell – New Poem, ‘Dark Horses’ + Free Women’s Creative Writing Workshops | Ruthie Collins
Listen to Julia Devonshire from Great Yarmouth Brough Council and a reading of Yarmouth Sublime from me on BBC Radio Norfolk here https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/p06nn83p?fbclid=IwAR1Wsu9z80JH1slW5hTjQBBCA97wyYevXhA65JUQZtIaB8EJWiG6Ovl_ekg 2hrs.08 16 seconds
Young children learning to read, will love spotting Thomas the Tank Engine in the poem – Awdry’s character, Toby the Tram, was inspired by the site of trams, gleaming at the station. I’d be thrilled to bits if you could visit the poem, ‘Yarmouth Sublime’, at Great Yarmouth Train Station forecourt and go enjoy Great Yarmouth itself – email your selfies to me at ruthie@ruthiecollins.co.uk or on twitter or find me on Facebook