Arty Alchemy

UPLIFTER’s enjoyed a great mix of heritage and art in our recent Green UPLIFT, ‘Arty alchemy’ at Worsbrough Mill.

The day began with a tour of the mill with the Miller Simon. This historic, grade two listed building is a working mill and produces flour which is available to buy in the on-site shop. It was great to see the mill in production, and we can’t wait to do a spot of baking with the flour!

Artist, Lee Sass then led a very special workshop giving UPLIFTER’s the chance to explore some delightful techniques using natural materials combined with amazing alchemy to create art!

 Three different techniques were used: soilograms, cyanotypes and photographic leaf prints. We began with leaf prints which uses sunshine to project a negative onto certain types of leaves. We gave it a good go but the sun sadly wasn’t massively in our favour for this one so we moved on to try cyanotypes. 

Cyanotypes uses a UV light to produce a blue tone to print. UPLIFTER’s took photos and manipulated the image using a variety of techniques with some fantastic results! The final technique we experimented with were soilograms, which are achieved by grinding soil, ash or any kind of earth in a pestle and mortar. The powdered soil is then distilled into a mixture of chemicals to create a beautiful round piece of chromatography. Another success! Everyone’s pieces were all so different and so beautiful!

The techniques explored in the workshop were really fascinating and something totally different to what many have experienced before, as such there was a great demand for more.

A big thanks to Lee Sass for sharing these processes with us. These processes are so dependent on the conditions which made for a very special atmosphere. There was complete joy in experimentation and unexpected results. “More please!” was the cry of the day!

Allotment Social - Round two!

The second half of Green UPLIFT is now underway with calendars making their way to UPLIFTER’S as we speak! 

Taking advantage of the good weather we kicked off the second instalment of events with an allotment social, with an afternoon of gardening, crafts, live music and good grub!

Artist Emma Condor introduced us to Japanese crafts, Dorodango and Hapazome. These techniques saw UPLIFTERS make beautiful smooth mud balls and bash plants and leaves onto fabric, creating some beautiful results! Meanwhile, Ryan provided the soundtrack with some chilled acoustic sounds while we munched on chip butties! Perfect!

It was a really busy session in the glorious sunshine, and it was lovely to see some new faces! Also a big shout out to the ‘Helpful Heathens’, a community group who came down and helped us dig over our plot, ready for planting!  Thank you!

'Rewilding the Mind'

‘Rewilding the Mind’ is what we call Creative Recovery’s our own breed of Poetry Ramble.  The name was coined by poet Winston Plowes who continues to develop this approach to walking in nature, with us. 

The project is currently funded by Creative Minds and sits neatly within our social perscribing project ‘Green UPLIFT’.

 Here are Winston’s thoughts on the subject….’

 

 

What is ‘Rewilding the Mind’ as a concept, and why do you think it’s important for our well-being right now?

Rewilding the Mind (RTM) is a chance to reconnect with nature. As humans we are all 'from nature' and by getting to know nature better, maybe we can know and understand ourselves better also.

It's a chance to 'take the slow way' and amble through our natural world to a backing track of poetry, spoken word and shared stories and tales. Everyone has an opportunity to speak voluntarily on the basis of honesty and acceptance.

RTM is not over planned and doesn't have a tight time table or particular goal and it's certainly not scripted in any way and that is one of its main strengths. Its success relies on the input of its participants, right down to the route we take, where we stop and for how long. Like the U.S. military, we look out for one another on our ramblings, go the speed of the slowest and 'leave no one behind'.

Each edition of RTM has its own theme according to the location. Bird life, railways, industrial heritage, the choir and 'park life' have all been covered.

How do you plan/or indeed not plan for an rewilding walk? 

I have lots of tricks in my black bag which has become synonymous with RTM events and have been compared to Felix the Cat and his "little bag-of-tricks" as he called it. In there, I have favourite nature poems, old poem and new poems, mystery objects and surprises.

I am no expert and am always happy to be wrong or not know an answer.

If you get nothing else from an event, just the chance to slow down and stop, to let your mind be filled with the joy of words and the natural world is a tonic.

 Is there anything you do personally that helps you to connect with nature and notice more deeply? 

I think back to the time my daughter and I sat either side of a shield bug and silently watched it delicately fold its wings under its elytra. We looked at each other, aware that we had been the only spectators of the scene, the little miracle that had just played out for us both. Neither said a word.

I believe we have taken about 10 rewilding strolls. Maybe you could share with us your own highlights?

I love how people's eyes light up when the penny drops or a random fact about nature stops us in our tracks, nature is amazing!

I also love how the participants' own experiences bring the poems I read to life. The more we talk, the more we discover we have in common.

There is something special and tangible about reading a poem about a particular tree whilst gathered under its boughs, about reading a poem about a kingfisher as, at that instant it paints a streak of blue across the water right in front of you. 

General...

This week Ada Limon was announced as the next US poet laureate and will begin her tenure in the autumn (I have used her poems in RTM). She said recently that "Poetry helps us remember that, we too are an imperfect animal, and we too are nature. Poetry can help the nation become whole again".

"Rewilding the Mind by digging down into nature to reveal surprises and revel in the things we pass by unnoticed everyday. Recognising the value in simply stopping, looking and listening. Mapping our place and time in the world as we celebrate the changing colours of autumn. Sharing the enjoyment of a journey through nature together and not knowing what we will find".

“Where will the path lead? What is the purpose of following it? The path IS the purpose, and that should be regarded as a secret to be revealed only when the path ends”.

William & Chris Yates (from Nightwalk)

 

'Take a Turn about the Garden' at Wentworth Woodhouse

We finish the first half of the UPLIFT calendar with a special out of hours event at the maginificent Wentworth Woodhouse in, ‘Take a Turn about the Garden’.

With the gardens closed to the public and our very own  VIP access, we worked with head gardener, Scott, who was very accommodating in directing us to some great spots to create land art with esteemed land artist, James Brunt. Seeking shelter from the wind we worked within the trees to form a nest. UPLIFTER's were keen to create something cozy that we would want to nestle into, rather symbolic of the day itself.

We also had the pleasure of working with artist, Jo Blaker. Jo is new to the UPLIFT programme and is a prolific sketcher who has done hundreds of sketch books over the last few years. She sketches all sorts of landscapes in different ways, using all sorts of different media, including, graphite, ink and pipext, as well as sticks and materials that she finds on the ground. With such a lovely technique, Jo gets very involved with her work, using hands and fingers to create texture and background. It was lovely to work with her and observe her craft.

Inspired by Jo's work, UPLIFTER's collected feathers and different materials to make tools for drawing, which were then used for mark making. UPLIFTER's also made a special concertina sketchbook. Some then took to the grounds with view finders to create little compositions they would later sketch; with an emphasis on really looking before drawing and really connecting with what you see to make the marks very real and very vivid.

There was was a great focus on relaxing into nature and with the use of the beautiful Wentworth Cabins this was certainly the case. From the cabins UPLIFTER's were able to take in the picturesque surroundings all the while feasting on a luscious Wentworth picnic as kindly supplied by the catering team.

Like something straight out of a Jane Austen novel, it was a fantastic day out, and a suitably splendid way to end the season!

We’re busy beavering away to bring you the next 3 months worth of UPLIFT’s and there’s some great events still to come!

If you’re feeling fed up and in need of a boost, if you'd like to connect with people and nature then Green UPLIFT is the programme for you. To receive this calendar of free events, simply text ‘UPLIFT’ to 07916 282 064 and one of our friendly team will be in touch to register you to the programme.

We’re looking forward to bringing you the second installment of Green UPLIFT’s very very soon!

A flock of activity!

We’ve had a double bill of bird inspired UPLIFT's recently with ‘Wetlands Wallow’ and ‘Call of the Wild.’

Wetlands Wallow saw us venture back to RSPB Old Moor for a very special out of hours evening on the reserve. UPLIFTERS enjoyed a nature walk taking in the reserve and hearing all about it’s history. There was chance to relax with meditation, mindfulness and poetry before finishing the evening listening to the summer sounds of the samba band as we picnicked on the lawn. UPLIFTERS grabbed an instrument, sang and danced along recreating the sounds of the rainforest on the wetlands reserve. Our singing even brought the sunshine out! A very special and stunning night on the reserve.

The following UPLIFT, ‘Call of the Wild’ introduced many uplifters to a new spot, Carlton Marsh
nature reserve; a nature lovers oasis that sits between Carlton and Cudworth. 

The area has been lovingly conserved and stewarded by a small local team for over 50 years. Under the expert guidance of stewards Cliff and Keith we spotted some of the 110 bird species annually recorded at the marsh and heard many wonderful facts and tales of the habits of the birds and their habitat. Poet, Winston Plowes was on hand with a poetic response to the day, weaving poetry and nature, rewilding the mind. 

Sitting in the hide, spotting kingfishers, whilst listening to poetry and birdsong made for such a peaceful afternoon. We’ll definitely be back!

 

Meet the Tree's - A picture Diary

We recently had the great privilege of joining artist and great friend of Creative Recovery, Cecilie, spending the day with her in the Woodland home she owns and stewards in Derbyshire. It was such a special day as we learned all about her eco project, meeting the native tree's and discovering their myths, connecting with the wonderful habitat and nature all around us. Here's a picture diary of our day:   

Our day in the Peaks at the ancient Woodland, owned by Artist and eco/art therapist, Cecilie begins...

The smell of Stinkhorn greets us!...

We 'meet the trees', Rowan, Pine, and King and Queen of the Forest, Oak and Beech. The Woodland is carefully being managed by Cecilie and her husband to increase bio-diversity and encourage native species...

We reach the hilltop camp! Handmade yurts and safari tents and of course a fire circle.

Simply stunning!

Forest finds include badger skulls, nests contain Cecilie's own hair, snake skin and goshawk feather.

Freshly made elderflower cordial followed by homemade soup for lunch, then a sharing of our memories childhood memories and nature connectedness. 

We learn about the life of trees and shrubs, how they spread, and the work of being forest custodians.

Time for a group shot with Grandma Beech (and a quick hug)...

The incredible view to Bretton Clough.

Another brew and nosey around and then home. 

Everyone left so much more relaxed for having spent time in this magical place, soothed by the stillness and majesty of the tree's. 

Thank you Cecilie! What a day!