Culture And Memory

Ella’s Peas.

‘Ella’s Peas’ celebrates Sheffield's little-known industrial changemaker—Ella Hudson-Gasking, director of food-giant Batchelors’ from 1913, who built the world’s largest pea-canning factory, located in Wadsley Bridge, operational until the 1980s. With this mission, we aim to: Promote the achievements of Ella as a woman who pioneered British food manufacturing by protecting heritage through sharing untold stories of the women who worked for Batchelors’. Enable children to investigate Ella’s story and the socio-economic and environmental issues involved in food production in partnership with Barra Organics. Adopt new, inclusive and accessible approaches to heritage education through the arts, co-creating an Imaginary Museums Playbox for Ella’s story. This is a new creative learning resource and school play for Sheffield primary schools. Support the development of the Castlegate area of Sheffield, where Batchelors’ began canning peas, ensuring that the contribution of women as industrial leaders and changemakers informs and inspires the regeneration of the city.