The Secret Recipe: A Theatrical Journey Through Sheffield’s Food and Factory Heritage

We are so excited to present our brand-new theatre performance celebrating the fascinating life
and legacy of Ella Hudson-Gasking and the workers of the Batchelor’s Pea Factory. Taking place at
Chilypep’s exciting new venue, this unique production has been created in collaboration with Year 5
students from Parsons Cross C of E Primary School, musicians from Sheffield Music School, and
community members, bringing to life the untold stories of Sheffield’s industrial past through drama,
music, and storytelling.

Over the last couple of months, young heritage detectives and members of Ella’s Archive Group
have been delving into Sheffield’s rich history, exploring maps, archives, and oral histories to
discover the lives of those who worked at Batchelor’s Factory. Inspired by their research, the
children have developed a vibrant and heartwarming performance that brings these stories to life,
celebrating the hardworking people behind the factory’s success and the incredible sense of
community they shared.

The performance will weave together the sounds of the 1960s alongside the rise of passive
resistance and changing social attitudes. With the help of talented musicians from Sheffield Music
School, the production will feature original songs inspired by the stories uncovered, capturing the
essence of an era that shaped Sheffield’s industrial and cultural identity.

Adding to the celebration of food heritage, Moya Sketchley from Barra Organics has been working
with local schools to plant and grow peas, linking Sheffield’s agricultural past to its industrial legacy.
From seed saving to the historical importance of mushy peas in Northern diets, the performance will
also explore how food, industry, and migration have long been interconnected in shaping and
connecting communities.

The show is part of our wider project, funded by The National Lottery Heritage Fund, which
celebrates the life of Ella Hudson-Gasking. The performance is just one part of a year-long journey
uncovering and sharing Sheffield’s rich history and has been developed especially for the schools
family and friend’s. The project will continue with an exciting exhibition at the Pollen Market,
Sheffield, in May, as well as a range of digital and video content that will bring more hidden stories
to life. There’s lots more to come – you can keep up to date with all the programme of activities here.