Discover

Welcome to the 'Discover' section! Here you will find insights into the fascinating studies being undertaken by our StreetLife researchers.

The project examines the history and heritage of Coney Street, but also aims to inform its present and future. From medieval guilds to the Second World War blitz, from early printing to modern musical heritage, we hope you find something interesting here.

Our research may perhaps even jog a memory you have of Coney Street. If so, we would love to hear from you! Either contact us, or visit the StreetLife Hub on Coney Street.

Exhibition: First Impressions

Helen Smith

First Impressions takes a fresh look at printing, asking what goes before, or lies behind, a finished print. The exhibition uncovers the hidden stories and histories of the relief printing process and asks us to think again about how we value a work of art or craft.

Review: Coney St Performance Jam

Sophie Mae Apps

Navigators Art is a York-based collective of artists, writers, musicians and performers whose mission it is to engage with community projects and mentor and encourage young emerging artists, hoping to give a platform to those with little outlet for their work. Their Live Jam was a testament of the…

Coney Street Life: A History of Right Now

J. R. Carpenter

As Writer in Residence for the Street Life project, J. R. Carpenter is researching the history of Coney Street as it is happening right now, and now, and now -- an ongoing ever-present present unfolding minute by minute.

Consultation presentation at a StreetLife workshop.

The Future of Coney Street

Jennie England

In July 2022 we held our final workshop, exploring the future of Coney Street. We presented highlights from our research and shared the main priorities for the future, as found from participants’ contributions to the previous four workshops held in May-June.

An Image of George Hudson's portrait in York Mansion House

Political Pubs!

Lizzie Hodgson

The great coaching Inns of Coney Street were not just important for visitors to the city and those wanting a quick drink! In the 18th and 19th centuries the Inns served as meeting places for the citizens of York. The two great coaching Inns, The Black Swan and The George contained sitting rooms…

The Willow: Gone but Not Forgotten

Lizzie Hodgson

York’s Coney Street has a rich musical heritage; from the cries of eighteenth-century street vendors to the powerful tones of fine church organs. If, like me, you were a York student pre-2015 then there is one particularly strong musical association with Coney Street: The Willow Disco.

'Visual minutes' from a StreetLife workshop by Stephen Lee Hodgkins.

After the Shop, Pt 2: Adapting Coney Street for the Future

Claire Smith

Like many high streets in the country, today Coney Street contains empty shop fronts and units. This two-part article asks how adaptive reuse might provide creative and flexible options for breathing life back into the street.

Coney Street in 2022, showing some of the many 'To Let' property signs.

After the Shop, Pt 1: Past Adaptive Reuse on Coney Street

Jennie England

A view of the River Ouse from behind City Screen Picturehouse cinema.

Back to the River, Pt 2: Coney Street and the River Ouse

Claire Smith

York is hiding the River Ouse behind Coney Street. Aren’t we missing out? In a StreetLife workshop, run with York Civic Trust, we highlighted potential benefits of reconnecting Coney Street to the Ouse.

A black and white photography of a man sitting with his hands in the air sitting on a barge marked 'The Yorkshire Evening Press - The Quality Local Daily".

Back to the River, Pt 1: Coney Street and the River Ouse

Jennie England

The River Ouse and Coney Street were closely connected in the past. In the second of our York Civic Trust workshops, we explored these historic connections, and considered the ways of reconnecting the street and river.