DOGPEOPLE: A Social History of Flapping in County Durham

Louise Powell•dogpeopleproject.wordpress.com

DOGPEOPLE is an exploration and celebration of ‘flapping’, a type of greyhound racing which took place at independent tracks across England for over ninety years. Over eight episodes, you’ll hear from the men and women who were regulars at County Durham’s flapping tracks. They'll take you on a journey through the heyday of flapping through to its devastating decline and the switch to licensed greyhound racing. DOGPEOPLE is part of a broader Combined Arts project which is supported using public funding from Arts Council England and commissioned by No More Nowt.

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Episodes

8 • Just Gorrer Get On With It

In this final episode of the series we're going to focus on licensed dog racing. There are tales of five-hour journeys and how it feels to broadcast greyhound racing live on telly. What’s that change from independent to licensed racing meant for us Dogpeople? Dogpeople: Just Gorrer Get On With It is written and narrated by Dr Louise Powell, and audio edited and produced by Bridget Hamilton. It features clips from interviews with Peter Richardson, Tom Heilbron, Colin Watson, Peter McLaughlin, Joh...

Jun 08, 2024•24 min•Season 1Ep. 8

7 • It Nearly Broke My Heart

In episode 7, we're talking about the decline of flapping - how those lively community hubs succumbed one by one, til no flapping tracks were left - and the devastating effect it had on the Dogpeople. How could a sport which meant so much to so many die out so quickly? Dogpeople: It Nearly Broke My Heart is written and narrated by Dr Louise Powell, and audio edited and produced by Bridget Hamilton. It features clips from interviews with John Davison, Kenny Metcalfe, Trev and Iris Liddle, Kieran ...

Jun 01, 2024•19 min•Season 1Ep. 7

6 • Everyone Would Help Everyone

In Episode 6, we'll be talking about the sense of togetherness you feel being part of the flapping community. There are tales of meeting spouses and learning how to better train your dog; the generosity of owners and the pleasure of being known years after you last went to a track. What did it mean to be one of the Dogpeople? Dogpeople: Everyone Would Help Everyone is written and narrated by Dr Louise Powell, and audio edited and produced by Bridget Hamilton. It features clips from interviews wi...

May 25, 2024•21 min•Season 1Ep. 6

5 • Flapping Lads Liked a Bet

It’s betting that we’re going to be hearing more about in Episode 5. There are tales of money lost and won; people who could make a living out of betting on their dogs. What was it like to land a gamble at a flapping track? Dogpeople: Flapping Lads Liked A Bet is written and narrated by Dr Louise Powell, and audio edited and produced by Bridget Hamilton. It features clips from interviews with Peter McLaughlin, Willie, Tony and Marilyn McDowell, Kenny Metcalfe, Colin Watson and Trev and Iris Lidd...

May 18, 2024•21 min•Season 1Ep. 5

4 • I Just Love Every Dog

It’s the greyhounds themselves that we’re going to be focusing on in Episode 4. How you’ve got to get to know the character of each dog; what you have to do to get them fit. There are tales of Road Work and feeding fresh; a dog nursed back to health who became a local celebrity. How would you get your greyhound ready to race at a flapping track? Dogpeople: I Just Love Every Dog is written and narrated by Dr Louise Powell, and audio edited and produced by Bridget Hamilton. It features clips from ...

May 11, 2024•21 min•Season 1Ep. 4

3 • Every Day a Different Track

Episode 3 is all about the many flapping tracks across the breadth and width of County Durham. There are tales of tracks in the middle of terraced streets and tracks sat in a field behind a pub. Tracks set up by famous showmen and others that defied tragedy to keep open. What were they like, these places that meant so much to us Dogpeople? Dogpeople: Every Day a Different Track is written and narrated by Dr Louise Powell, and audio edited and produced by Bridget Hamilton. It features clips from ...

May 04, 2024•22 min•Season 1Ep. 3

2 • The Dogs Fetched Us Up

In Episode 2, you'll hear from the children who grew up on the flapping tracks – though, of course, they’re adults now. Adults with strong and fond memories of growing up going flapping. There are details of track cafés and dabbles on the Tote; trackside jobs and dogs that sparked a lifelong love of the sport. What could children do at a flapping track? DOGPEOPLE: The Dogs Fetched Us Up is written and narrated by Dr Louise Powell, and audio edited and produced by Bridget Hamilton. It features cl...

Apr 27, 2024•20 min•Season 1Ep. 2

1 • A Working-Class Sport

Britain’s first official greyhound race took place at Belle Vue Stadium in Manchester in 1926, and within a few years there were licensed and flapping tracks popping up all around the country. By the 1940s, there were over ten flapping tracks operating in County Durham. From Stanley to the North to Stockton in the south, Hartlepool in the east and Coundon further west, tracks sprang up in areas of heavy industry; particularly those with connections to coal mining. In our opening episode, we delv...

Apr 20, 2024•17 min•Season 1Ep. 1

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