The Story Continues…
Hidden Stories of Christmas Steps – The Audio Trail
Having unearthed an eclectic selection of characters who unknowingly helped form the unique identity of Christmas Steps, their stories will continue to echo around the cobbles, as we launch an audio trail; the next and longer lasting stage of this project.
The Audio Trail
Using your own digital device (such as smartphone or tablet), you will be able travel through time as you wander through the area. Immersed in words, with eyes open to imagine how the scene around you would have looked in times gone by.
The stories are accessible via QR Codes, displayed in a selection of shop windows along Colston Street and Christmas Steps. A list and map of QR Codes will be released ahead of the Launch Event on Saturday 3rd May.
Alongside the audio trail, you will be able to discover information displays and art installations in participating windows within the Christmas Steps Arts Quarter.
How do I use QR Codes?
Most smart phones and tablets – devices with cameras and access to the internet – will allow you to use the QR codes.
You will need to open your camera and hover it in front of the QR code as though you are about to take a photo of it.
As you do this, a link should appear (on iPhone cameras, this appears as a yellow link) – click on this! And it will take you to the stories…
THE LIVE LAUNCH EVENT: 3/5/25
Date: Saturday 3rd May 2025
Timings: 7.30pm – 9.30pm
Location: Christmas Steps Area
FREE – no tickets required
To launch the audio trail we will be hosting an evening event on Saturday 3rd May. We will be adorning buildings around the location with light projections and video art, adding to the atmosphere that the words themselves create. A selection of windows will host art installations, and two live characters will roam the steps, interacting with passers by and providing guidance on accessing the audio trail.
At this time of year the sun will set at approximately 8.37pm… which means the visual projections will make their impact from 7.37pm…
So join us after dark to step into a beautifully ghostly pocket of time travel.
Hidden Stories of Christmas Steps is funded by Bristol City Council and the West of England Combined Authority as part of the City Centre and High Streets Cultural Events Programme. This event is subject to licensing and site permissions approval.
THANK YOU!
Dr. Paul Green, our brilliant researcher, co-writer and performer on this project, wishes to acknowledge the following resources for their assistance in his research, including: The Reference Team of the Local History Collection at Bristol Central Library, Bristol Archives, University of Bristol Theatre Collection, Know Your Place, Myers-Insole Local Learning, OutStories and local historians John Parke, Andrew Foyle, and Hamilton Caswell, among many others. Thank you so much.
Thank you also to Ruth and Brendan from ‘I Am Acrylic’, Filip from ‘Lone Rambler’, David and Dawn from ‘Geneva Stop’, Andy from ‘Three Kings Court’, Sophie from ‘Hours’, Bruno from ‘Zero Degrees’ and all the other residents and businesses of Christmas Steps, Christmas Street, Colston Street, Lower Park Row and Perry Road for their patience and support of this project.