Below is a poem written by a young person from GLOW, with collaborating artist Louise Fazackerley.

Lou Chapelle has been appointed by Halton Borough Council to create an ambitious artwork inspired by Halton chemical industry, and working with young people from the borough. Following a series of workshops in October/November 2021, the work will consist of large scale public projections, reinventing the stories of the Halton Bleach Packers and other trades of the chemical industry. It will be created with collaborating artists: costume designer Rachael Prime, sound artist Wendy Smith, poet Louise Fazackerley and film-maker Tim Brunsden. Young people from Halton are invited to contribute to the piece, and we are currently working with Fashion students, Graphic Design students, Dance students and Music students at Cronton Sixth Form College, the Young Choir group and GLOW group at The Studio.

More information about Halton’s heritage can be found at Catalyst and on the Halton Heritage Partnership website

how could they breathe?
don’t be naive
they can’t leave
can only grieve
their feet banged
dirty but coated
an ocean of toxic fear
their eyes bulging out
crusted like the
bane and broken cracks
on a raven’s brain
fear?
The limestone cracks
while the salt dries
the bleach measuring
their broken cries
wasted gas?
what’s the point
stone binds and binds till it
BREAKS
because behind every mask
is a broken and battered face