Moving away from Lliw Reservoir which has featured a lot in my recent posts, I have some new photos from Hereford. We drove up there last week for my daughter’s final interview for university. She has since been accepted by all five to which she applied – clever girl 🙂
Although the roads in Hereford seemed very busy during mid week, this small city is very attractive in parts with the cathedral being central. The colour of the stone is beautiful and changes with the light (naturally). It was a dull day when we were there but that didn’t spoil what was a pleasant and successful day out. I wonder if we will be seeing more of it – depends on Hannah’s choice really! You can see her blog here.
First it was on, then it was off . . . then it was on again! The weather, these days, is unpredictable. Last Friday when we went to do our recce for the latest production with the Sights and Sounds of the Countryside project, the conditions led us to postpone the following day’s work.
Heavy Weather
However, Saturday was dry, and not only that, almost all the snow had gone! So with a quick announcement on Facebook and email, we went ahead with what turned out to be a great production day, even though we were not able to cover everything required and will have to go back next week. Fingers crossed for dry weather again.
Yey! Listen to the Debbie Evans Arts Show on Radio Tircoed tomorrow (Friday) from 11 am – 12 GMT and you will hear me talking about StillWalks and the projects we do.
Last week I visited MIMA – Middlesbrough Institute of Modern Art again. Every time it is a revelation! The main gallery space is fantastic and the exhibition this time was by Julian Stair and it blew me away. I could have stayed all day.
The exhibition is touring and if you get the chance, go see it. Better still, if you’re anywhere near Middlesbrough, go see it at MIMA 🙂 Here’s a taster.
StillWalks Sights and Sounds of the Countryside Project – Crowd Funding
The StillWalks Crowdfunder pitch for outstanding funding towards the Sights and Sounds of the Countryside project is now live and looking for sponsors / investors.
This is a brilliant project that I hope, in future, to replicate with many other schools and communities.
Only £10 – Invest anything from as little as £10 and get a reward for your support.
Please take a look at the Crowdfunder pitch and help me promote the project and pitch by passing on this publicity to your network of contacts and friends.
I have personally guaranteed to cover this shortfall if the funds cannot be raised as I feel the project is so important not only to the schools and groups taking part but also to StillWalks and its development to say nothing of our natural environment.
All or Nothing – All the funds required through the Crowdfunder pitch must be raised if anything at all is to go towards the shortfall in the project funding. If the target is not reached in the time allowed (30 days), then you pay nothing and my guarantee comes into play.
Last week I visited Berry Woods on the Gower. The purpose of the visit was to explore the the area to be used as the production location for Knelston Primary School and the Sights and Sounds of the Countryside project (mentioned in a previous post) which is due to start next month.
I am really looking forward to going out with the children and the other project workers, Emily Hinshelwood and Julie Brunskill, to investigate the landscape in detail.
Here are some pics from my visit to the woods.
En route to Berry Woods
Moss in Berry Woods
Berry Woods
Berry Woods
A friendly face near Berry Woods
Heading back from Berry Woods
I spotted four of these Buzzards while around Berry Woods
I had a great day in Singleton Park, Swansea this week where I and about 20 others enjoyed a day of training in the delivery of the John Muir Award (see pics below). John Muir’s environmental philosophy and the award criteria fits perfectly with the ethos of StillWalks.
Appreciation and understanding of the natural environment is at the top of the agenda with StillWalks as are other features such as stress relief, health and wellbeing – these elements are also a part of the John Muir philosophy.
Town and Country – StillWalks, however, does not exclusively feature the natural environment and wild places. Indeed, the urban environment is of as much relevance to StillWalks as the countryside – and in fact this is the case with the John Muir Award as well. The young and the old, school children, teachers, families and individuals are all encouraged to look at and listen to, explore, discover and appreciate the wild places within urban areas as much as those in our countryside.
And the news is – StillWalks is going to be carrying out a project with schools and communities over the Autumn and Spring called Sights and Sounds of the Countryside. The project will tie in closely with John Muir Award work also being delivered to schools by Tim Orrell and Swansea Nature Conservation Team (hence the training day). StillWalks has successfully applied for funding for the Sights and Sounds project from Swansea’s Countryside Connections, Sustainable Development Fund and Literature Wales to work with an artist and writers to produce a collection of videos similar to those made on the Josef Herman project.
The training day was interesting, useful and great fun. Fortunately it was good weather and we were able to get out and about in the park for some fun and games.
