Secret Lake Stories is a soundwork by sound designer and composer Emily Zurowski, recorded on and around a small, enclosed body of water known locally as the Secret Lake, on the border of Levenshulme and Reddish in Greater Manchester. Largely hidden from surrounding streets and reached by footpaths through scrub and woodland, the lake sits within a patchwork of former industrial land, housing, railway edges and informal green space.

The piece is centred on the voices of people who know the lake well and spend time there: walkers, neighbours and those who return to it regularly. Their reflections, memories and observations are interwoven with field recordings made at the site, capturing water movement, birdsong and distant human activity.

The lake itself originated as part of an industrial-era water system, later falling out of use and gradually becoming rewilded. Over time it has developed into a quiet, unofficial local landmark, shaped as much by neglect and chance as by design.

Best experienced on headphones.

• Composed and created by Emily Zurowski
• Produced for Levenshulme Old Library
• Executive producer - Richard V. Hirst
• Recorded on location in 2025 at the Secret Lake

To find out more, visit levenshulmeoldlibrary.org.uk.

Knots | Form | Strut (Cringle Park Soundscape)

Sound design by Oscillate

A soundscape created using field recordings gathered in Cringle Park

Cringle Park presents as a traditional Victorian park - wide paths, open spaces and quiet corners where people pass, pause and play. However at its centre sits a small stone circle whose origins are unclear but whose presence is quietly magnetic.

This soundscape captures the layered sonic textures of the park: footsteps, birds and the steady hum of passing lives.

Part of You Are Here, a podcast from Levenshulme Old Library featuring five original short stories, soundscapes, and audio portraits inspired by Levenshulme’s parks and green spaces.

Produced by Levenshulme Old Library, commissioned by The Space and supported by Arts Council England

Explore the full project: levenshulmeoldlibrary.org.uk/you-are-here

We’d love to hear what you think - share your feedback here.

Cringle Park – Portrait of the Park

Sound design by Oscillscope

Cringle Park is a space for walking, sitting, drifting - a park with open paths and quiet corners, home to a mysterious stone circle and the routines of daily life.

In this portrait, writer Marie Crook reflects on the role Cringle Park plays in her creative process, and how the textures and rhythms of the space shaped her story, Jean, Darlene, Jacqueline.

Part of You Are Here, a podcast from Levenshulme Old Library featuring five original short stories, soundscapes, and portraits inspired by Levenshulme’s parks and green spaces.

Produced by Levenshulme Old Library, commissioned by The Space and supported by Arts Council England

Explore the full project: levenshulmeoldlibrary.org.uk/you-are-here

We’d love to hear what you think - share your feedback here.