The Bargate
Culture: Many Lives, One City
The Projection
Curated by Thelma Bishop-Young, this fast-paced projection reflects how Southampton’s cultural identity has been shaped by volunteering, community activity and shared traditions.
Drawing on a wide range of archive material, it celebrates the grassroots cultural life – clubs, festivals, sport and local events – that has helped generations of people find connection and belonging. Projected onto the Bargate, the work reflects a city made up of many lives, stitched together through culture.
The Bargate
The Bargate is Southampton’s most recognisable medieval landmark. Built around 1200, it formed the main northern entrance to the walled town.
For centuries, the Bargate was a place of movement, meeting and civic life. Tolls were collected here, prisoners were held in its lower chambers, and the town’s administration met above in the medieval guildhall. Over time, the building was adapted and expanded, with towers added in the 1200s and 1300s and later changes reflecting the city’s growth.
Standing at the heart of the city, the Bargate has long been where people pass through, gather, celebrate and protest – making it a fitting backdrop for a projection about culture, community and shared life.
Access Notes
The projection at the Bargate is viewed from outside, within a busy pedestrian area in the city centre.
The surrounding ground is largely level, with some uneven paving typical of historic streets. The area can become lively and crowded at peak times. There is no fixed seating at this location, but visitors are welcome to pause, move through the space at their own pace, or watch from a distance.
British Sign Language (BSL)
A British Sign Language (BSL) interpreter will be present at each projection location every evening from 6–8pm for the full duration of the projections.
Audio Description
Listen to an audio description of this projection, created to support blind and partially sighted visitors. Audio descriptions provide a spoken overview of the visuals and key moments.
audio description
Curator and Community Spotlight
Thelma Bishop-Young is the Community Curator for the Bargate projection, exploring the theme of culture. Born and raised in Southampton, Thelma has spent decades contributing to the city’s cultural and community life through her work with young people, sports groups and disabled communities across Southampton.
A Paralympic gold medallist, Thelma represented Great Britain internationally in swimming and later dedicated much of her time to supporting others. She has volunteered with Southampton City Scouts for almost 30 years, holds leadership roles within adult volunteering networks, and is Chair of the Southampton Branch of BackCare, supporting people with long-term physical conditions. She is also a member of the Saints Disabled Supporters’ Association.
Drawing on her deep local networks, Thelma’s curation reflects the role of volunteering, community groups, sport and informal cultural activity in shaping Southampton’s identity.
Thelma
Bishop-Young
Archive Spotlight
Name of spotlight item
Credits
Produced by:
Southampton Forward, in partnership with Southampton City Council
Creative Partners:
Double Take Projections and Light Up Trails
Supported by:
Arts Council England, The National Lottery Heritage Fund, Esmée Fairbairn Foundation
Collection Credits & Copyright:
Archive Material from Southampton Cultural Services
Paul Carter Photography
Laser scans produced as part of a collaborative project between Southampton Cultural Services and the Department of Archaeology at the University of Southampton
Art Asia Southampton Mela Festival
BBAM Festival images courtesy of Abdoulie Sanneh and Nosa Malcolm
Urban Wild Festival courtesy of New Forest National Park Authority
Southampton Parkrun
Robin Jones The Digital South
Solent Sharks Wheelchair Rugby Club
Southampton City Scout District
ZoieLogic Dance Theatre photographer Dev Place
Community event photography courtesy of Judy Harrison
For images or other media from the collections held by Southampton Cultural Services, great care has been taken to identify all copyright holders correctly. Where copyright is unknown, or credited incorrectly, we welcome any information that might lead to the copyright holder. In cases of errors or omissions, please contact [email protected] so that we can ensure images are correctly credited in future.
Script & Narration:
Script developed collaboratively by project team and community curator. Voiced by members of 11th Southampton City District Scout Group.
