Wortley Top Forge and Allotment Social

 

Our Green UPLIFTS’s are go and we've had a busy couple of weeks visiting local industrial museum, Wortley Top Forge and a more familiar gathering with the first of our allotment social's for the year. 

Here's a peak of what we've been up to...

WORTLEY TOP FORGE 

Wortley Top Forge is a Water Powered Heavy Iron Forge whose history can be traced back to at least 1640. It is owned by the South Yorkshire Industrial History Society and has been restored by its volunteers. UPLIFTER’s had a very interesting and insightful day as they were led around the site on a tour with volunteer, Ted. They were shown exhibits including the original water wheels and water powered drop hammers that are within the original Forge building, which is progressively being restored to it's 1900s condition.

It was a fascinating day for UPLIFTER's taking in the  history and exhibits on show. The site itself is very atmospheric and was a perfect backdrop for sketching and painting. Whilst half of the group settled down to sketch the rest of the group embarked on a 2 hour walk through the Thurgoland tunnel and took the opportunity to work on some photography with new camera equipment bought with funding gratefully received by the Transpenine Trail. There was fun to be had getting stuck in the mud! And a primal scream through the Thurgoland tunnel proved very cathartic. Both groups met back up at the Bridge Inn for a nice cuppa before returning home. 

A fascinating day, enjoyed by all!

ALLOTMENT SOCIAL 

Next up was our first allotment social of the year and it was such a lovely one to kickstart the calendar!

We were so pleased that the rain held off as we got to enjoy pizza and marshmallows around the fire whilst listening to the gorgeous sounds of Ryan Lauder on guitar and Nina on accordion and ukulele.

Artist, Emma Condor also joined us to create natural neck pieces as incoming celebrations for the summer solstice. Emma had pre prepared woods and flora, each representative of different qualities, these included oak which represents strength and protection, lavender which is reflective of constancy and loyalty, borage for courage, ivy for attachment and eternal friendship and many more. UPLIFTER’s were invited to choose which pieces they would like to work with according to the qualities they would like to bring to their lives. The results were some fabulous necklaces that were not only beautiful to look at but all so unique and meaningful. 

It was such a wonderful atmosphere, we’ve tried to capture the essence in a quick video here.:

There are more wonderful allotment socials planned in the Green UPLIFT calendar this year that we'd love to see you at! Watch this space!