Tracks and Tales Arrives at Wakefield Kirkgate

Yesterday, Empath Theatre proudly unveiled the latest LonGBoaT Wakefield Community Gallery exhibition in the ticket hall at Wakefield Kirkgate Railway Station; Tracks and Tales.

This creative exhibition has been made possible with the support of Community Rail Lancashire, Northern, Arts Council England and a range of partners who share a commitment to community storytelling, accessibility, and the arts.

A Journey Through Yorkshire by Rail

Tracks and Tales tells the story of a unique community project that brought people together between October 2025 and February 2026. Through a series of trips across West Yorkshire, participants explored local heritage, culture, and creativity all connected by rail travel.

Working alongside Empath Theatre CIC and a team of freelance creatives, the group visited a range of inspiring locations, including:

• Pontefract Castle

• Queen’s Mill

• Elsecar Heritage Centre

• Henry Moore Institute

Along the way, participants wrote, drew, photographed, created, and performed — capturing their experiences and perspectives in a truly collaborative way.

Creativity on Display

The exhibition you now see at Kirkgate is a culmination of those journeys. It brings together the incredible work produced through workshops and shared adventures, reflecting both the places visited and the people who took part.

Thousands of commuters pass through the station every week, and this exhibition ensures that those stories are seen, shared, and celebrated — not just locally, but across the wider North.

For us as an LGBT+ charity, projects like this matter deeply. They create space for voices that are often underrepresented, helping to ensure LGBT+ people and allies are visible within our shared cultural and heritage spaces. Inclusion in storytelling isn’t just important — it’s essential in building communities where everyone feels they belong.

Explore More

👉You can explore more of the work created as part of Tracks and Tales by visiting the project website

👉You can find out about all our Community Gallery Projects here!

We’re incredibly proud to host this exhibition at Kirkgate, replacing the Coal to Nature display, as part of our ongoing work to make the station a welcoming, inclusive space for all.