Black Path Press
Black Path Press is a community printing press in South Bank, Middlesbrough – operating near the historic route known as the black path. We set up the press in order to develop the public art commission, NOTES ON THE BLACK PATH, making books with many different people. Exploring the black path and the neighbouring community of South Bank through different perspectives and voices.
We are currently exploring ways that the press can continue to make books in South Bank. We have been delayed by the Covid-19 outbreak – we have been making digital versions of some of the books made so far – you can view digital versions by clicking on the cover images below.
Books include: • Digital drawings made after a walk around the site of Dorman Long, collecting shapes for a possible typeface. • Collages, turning digital drawings and photographs into letters – collaboratively creating a font for Black Path Press • A conversation with artist Philip Boville about his painting – The Teesside Mural (1975) • Black and white photographs taken by Eric Taylor of South Bank, Smith's Dock and the Black Path (1969-1976) • An introduction to Black Path Press' MZ770E Risograph printer – a tool for making small books, prints and posters • A selection of newspaper articles describing events along or near The Black Path / The Sailor's Trod (1850-1911) • South Bank & The Black Path, Pattern Sampler: Vol 1 / Vol 2 • If Kidz Konnekt Youth Club were town planners for South Bank... • A selection of song lyrics written by Vin Garbutt relating to South Bank and wider Teesside • A conversation with artist Azad Karim Mohammed about Saabat Community Gallery on Normanby Road, South Bank • Edgelands: A screenprinted book by artist Julie Macbean • Kidz Konnekt Youth Club South Bank photograph each other's talents • Fifteen artefacts brought in by members of South Bank local history group • South Bank in Bloom plant geraniums along Normanby Road • Sketches made whilst walking the black path from South Bank station to Redcar sea front • Drawings made by students at St.Peter's Catholic College – reimagining architecture around South Bank Vol 1/Vol 2 • South Bank Primary School's Year 5 interview each other • South Bank Primary School's Year 1 draw their special people • South Bank Primary School's reception class take photographs of their day • Possible lyrics (relating to the black path) written in a workshop led by folk musicians Mark and Amanda Hadlett • An article on South Bank entrepreneur Elsie Foster (née Hind, 1887-1970) written by local historian Joan Outhwaite • Artefacts from the personal archive of Dennis Roger Spence, Managing Director of Smith's Dock (1981 -1987) • Open Call Vol.1: 'South Bank Tales' • Smith's Dock: A Ledger of Ships (1905-1987) • A rehearsal by South Bank Brass Band at St. John's Church, Normanby Road • Drawings of plants we found within a 200m walk from South Bank train station in July 2019 • Photographs of Soprano Singer Florence Easton – also known as the 'South Bank Nightingale' • Documentation of artwork for South Bank railway station made by Health & Art South Bank • A conversation with players from Middlesbrough Ladies Football Team • Memories of South Bank's 'Golden Boy', footballer Wilf Mannion (1918-2000)