Meet Me in Malmesbury

Sound walk | 2024–2026

What does a town sound like through the voices of the people who live there?

Meet Me in Malmesbury is a sound walk exploring the history, character and everyday life of Malmesbury through the voices of its residents, the sounds of its streets and natural environment, and an original musical composition.

Developed for the A Walk in September competition, organised by Walk Listen Create, the project brings together interviews with local people, field recordings and music to create an audio journey through the town. Residents share memories, stories and knowledge of Malmesbury, offering glimpses of its past and present through their own experiences.

The sound walk connects a series of locations around the town, including Malmesbury Abbey, the riverside and Kings Wall, the Three Cups and Burnivale. Along the way, listeners encounter a diverse cast of local characters and stories, from a father and son to a roofer, gallery owner, historian, folk musicians and alpaca owner.

These contemporary voices sit alongside stories from Malmesbury's history, creating unexpected connections between the people and places that have shaped the town. Historical figures such as Eilmer and Hannah Twynoy form part of this wider narrative.

An original musical score, composed by Mike, weaves together the recorded voices with the sounds of the environment. The river, birdsong, bells and everyday sounds of the town become part of the composition, creating a listening experience in which music, memory and place overlap.

Rather than offering a conventional historical account, Meet Me in Malmesbury seeks to reveal the town through the people who know it best. It is an invitation to walk, listen and discover the many stories held within a familiar place.

Project: Meet Me in Malmesbury

Competition: A Walk in September, organised by Walk Listen Create

Format: Location-based sound walk

Materials: Interviews, environmental field recordings and original composition.024–2026