A Barnsley Story
'A Barnsley Story' by multi-disciplinary artist Sam Batley navigates the town's arrival in its present identity through creativity, community and heritage. Through the stories of the people who live, work and take inspiration from the place, Sam weaves these varied stories together to offer a contemporary telling of the town.
"I hope this project shows Barnsley in its current light, honouring the town for its past, present and future through film and photography. Offering a snapshot of its landscape and the folk who make the town what it is. This project has taught me so much about Barnsley, it changed my perceptions of the town. Giving a rich experience both creativity and in life, offering an opportunity to delve into my own relationship to the place. Community, creativity and pride shine through, this reflects in my approach and is something that has changed the direction of how I make work."
- Sam Batley
The project is split between two main outcomes, one being a feature length documentary called 'The Town I Love So Well' and a responsive photography project 'A Barnsley Story'. In the space between these two outcomes, there has been a third unintended outcome. One of personal photographic documentation. Community engagement with organisations and groups that are doing great work across the borough. Meeting unique individuals whose stories have inspired and altered how Sam looks at his own practice.
The Town I Love So Well
‘The Town I Love So Well’ pays homage to the abundance of creativity, community and culture brimming at the heart of Barnsley, alongside the hearts of its people. The film’s narrative explores these communities and the richness of their creative pursuit, regardless of generation, circumstance or lived experience.
It holds space for stories of traditional industries that were once at the forefront of the town's identity, identities that remain, and ones yet to flourish. To the generation who navigated the world after its collapse, followed by the one to catalyse change, to love loudly, to be heard; this is a yearlong love letter, to the town I love so well.
The Town I Love So Well premiered on 17th March 2025. More than 300 people were at the Parkway Cinema Barnsley for the documentary’s big screen debut, which was followed by a Q&A session with Sam.
Read more www.barnsley-museums.com/projects/storying-barnsley/the-town-i-love-so-well
A Barnsley Story
'A Barnsley Story' is a responsive photography project asking people from Barnsley, people who work here or feel a connection to the place, to delve into what their relationship is to the town.
By creating a photo pack including an information pamphlet, a disposable camera, archive photos and a notebook. Sam created 30 packs and sent them out to people across the borough through an open call. The project lets people tell their own stories of the town by either following the prompts or taking their own direction with it.
These stories will be collated and designed into a book working with local designer Spencer Hughes. Some of the work produced will be exhibited Spring 2025 as part of the Storying Barnsley Exhibitions at Barnsley Civic and Library @ The Lightbox.
www.barnsley-museums.com/projects/storying-barnsley/storying-barnsley-exhibitions
About the artist
Sam Batley is a multi-disciplinary artist, creative producer and writer from Barnsley. Throughout his artwork, photography and writing, he reflects on identity and self. He takes inspiration from life’s dualities - from isolation and loss of purpose to the joy and interconnectedness of community.
'A Barnsley Story' has been commissioned and funded by Barnsley Council's Cultural Development Fund programme, Storying Barnsley.