Arts. Heritage. Community.

A year-long intergenerational project in Northampton and Corby

In February 1968, Northampton was designated a third-wave New Town. Tasked with welcoming thousands of new families from overspill areas in London and beyond, Northampton underwent a significant period of rapid expansion extremely quickly. From the building of the Eastern District to the demolition of many loved historic buildings in the town centre, it was a period that changed Northampton forever.

Through intergenerational arts, heritage and community activity, 60 Miles by Road or Rail champions the largely untold stories of Northampton’s New Town story, during a time in which the town once again faces great uncertainty and transformation.

The project will also start to explore Corby’s unique New Town story, following its designation as a first-wave New Town 18 years previously in April 1950.

The project is made up of the following 4 strands:

Local creatives present theatre production 60 Miles by Road or Rail at Royal & Derngate. Following a preview in 2018, the redeveloped show will respond to the changes to Northampton’s contemporary political landscape.

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An opportunity to work with local artists to co-create something NEW, capturing how we feel about the towns that we call home. We will be hosting activities in both Northampton and Corby.

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Share your personal story of either Northampton or Corby. This may be through archiving a recording, by sharing a piece of creative writing, or being a part of our brand new documentary film.

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Discover how Northampton and Corby transformed under the New Towns act. Led by the New Town Heritage Research Network, find out more about the legacy of New Towns nationally and internationally.

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It feels vital to be delivering an intergenerational project that places Northamptonian experiences at its heart. Our New Town heritage has played a complex yet fundamental role on the makeup of our town and its identity, and yet we rarely talk about it. It was a period of sudden expansion, mass migration and political upheaval.

As Northampton undergoes further financial adversity, political uncertainty, and new masterplans are unveiled for the regeneration of our town, it feels vital that we are coming together to question and strengthen our shared sense of civic identity in an unprecedented way.

We’re thrilled to also be hosting heritage and community events in Corby, which was itself designated a New Town 18 years before Northampton, but which offers a very different New Town legacy.

Whilst the project unashamedly prioritises our local experiences, I believe it will capture many of the moods and rhythms of many large towns up and down the country.”

Andy Routledge, Founder and director

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About

60 Miles by Road or Rail is co-managed by Andy Routledge (Founder and director) and Courtenay Johnson (Producer). We are a locally ran, independent organisation who are committed to championing our county and the vast array of talent that it offers during a period of political uncertainty and financial instability.

You can learn about the Background of the project and find out Who We Are.

You can contact us at hello@60milesbyroadorrail.co.uk