Watercolours at Wentworth Castle Gardens

All good things must come to an end and so after a six-month bumper programme, the Green UPLIFT calendar closed with the final UPLIFT event, 'Watercolours at Wentworth Castle Gardens.'

In this special one-off event, UPLIFTER’s got the opportunity to work with super talented watercolour artist, Anna Connor.

Building on her love of nature, Anna paints plants and flowers in domestic settings. Anna's work can be viewed here: www.annaconnor.net

With the run of the Greenhouse and Community rooms at Wentworth Castle Gardens, UPLIFTER's enjoyed a chilled day of watercolour painting taking in the Autumn tones.

It really has been an amazing six months of Green UPLIFT events! We’d like to take this opportunity to thank all our fantastic artists, partners, participants and in particular our funders, we are hugely grateful. 

We really hope that this national pilot will demonstrate our hugely important outdoor ‘play’ and connecting with nature is for our souls, returning us to our most natural state - now more than ever and fingers crossed for more funding for this kind of work. Our outdoor work will continue with ‘Rewilding the Mind’, funded by Creative Minds, so watch this space.

We echo the thoughts of one of our fabulous UPLIFTER's, Sandra:

"Thank you. It’s been a lovely year with lots of great memories along the way."

 

Pit Heads and Poetry

Our penultimate Green UPLIFT took us to Barnsley Main for ‘Pit heads and Poetry, an event which included a tour of the site followed by a Rewilding Walk with Winston Plowes.

Barnsley Main Colliery is the remains of large deep mining site, known for being the site of the Oaks Disaster which sadly took the lives of 383 people. The remaining structures have been assigned Grade II Listed status due to their historical significance. The site is rich in industrial heritage and due to the personal connections that many UPLIFTER’s have with the mining industry it led to many poignant stories, memories and discussion.

Reflecting on the site Winston said:

“The whole of Barnsley main is so much like a church for the lost and fallen of the mining industry. The same imposing presence and solemn silence, a sealed tomb. Looking at the images of the 2016 service where crosses were planted in the grounds to represent the fallen then 'cremated' in a snap tin, for a time it even had its own cemetery.” 

No one can deny that the mining industry was an incredibly tough one with much bleakness. When exploring material to share with the group, Winston found that 8/10 poems, stories and songs about mining end in heartbreak, death or poverty - sometimes all three. Winston made a point of acknowledging this and balanced it with exploring the joys of autumn nature and looking at the poems about mining and coal which did strike a positive chord – one of which saw us singing a mining folk song in the woods!

With thanks to the wonderful Barnsley Main Volunteers for sharing their knowledge and giving us such an insightful tour and to Winston for always finding the words and providing the inspiration. Back at the Pit head, inspired by both parts of the day UPLIFTER’s gathered together and put their thoughts, feelings and responses to the site to paper to create a collaborative poem, penned in white on black (coal face) paper. It was titled, 'The Voice of Barnsley Main'...

Apple Day!

We’re casting our minds back to one of the fruiter events on the UPLIFT calendar and reflecting on the roseyness of ‘Apple Day’!

This UPLIFT really did what it said on the tin, the day was all things apples!

UPLIFTER’s hit the wonderful YMCA allotment where it was all systems go on the apple press with Dan the Apple press man (who came complete with numerous apple puns and all-round bad Dad jokes!) 

UPLIFTER’s got stuck in chopping, pressing, making and serving at the apple brunch bar where tasty treats were on offer, including homemade granola with natural yogurt and apple puree and hot spiced apple juice. Yum!

Gorgeous live music from Ralph Shaw provided the soundtrack for the day, meanwhile, poet 
and friend of the GREEN UPLIFT project, Winston Plowes, worked with UPLIFTER’s to create ‘Ode to the Apple’:

Ode to the Apple

A thing complete,

in is its own little world

red or yellow, sunset or dawn.

 

A beetle, two lungs, deep-seeded protection.

Pure heart

ruby red flash, sun glint

devoid of human character 

Love and life food.

 

A red admiral, outdoor pool, skeletal membrane.

 

Nature’s secret surprise

sandpaper skin, soft padded flesh

a magic trick

sharp, dry, sour or powder.

 

Local football strip

polished seamless cricket ball

regenerator of paths.

branches on a family tree.

 

A hammock, half barn owl face, womb of woman.

 

A school of happiness

juicing the brain

an orange from the teacher’s pet.

 

by Creative Recovery & YMCA Community

As the Autumn chill set in on Apple Day, this fabulous, fruity event certainly squeezed the juice out of a long, hot summer, bottling sweet memories to see us through. 

Final thought on Apple day...

How do you make an apple turnover?....Push it down a hill!...You can have that one Dan ;)

Folk Fires!

We can’t remember rain like this since…Folk Fires! And whilst that day was a wash out in terms of the weather it certainly didn’t dampen the spirits of our UPLIFTER’s who in true community style made the best of it!

In the weekend of the passing of her Majesty the Queen, like many events at the time there was thoughtful consideration as to whether the event would go ahead, however we know that in times of uncertainty we need to come together more than ever and so undeterred by the weather this Green UPLIFT was go.  

Due to the weather, plans were adapted but still the people came. Everyone mucked in and there was and a real sense of community spirit and a coming together in adverse circumstances. Taking time to look at the light falling through the trees, UPLIFTER’s shared stories and memories in a quiet moment of reflection in the beautiful outdoor church area of Silkstone Woods.

As well as the down pour, the sky threw up some incredible storms, the sense that nature was responding to shift in the world on that day. Tuning in to the environment, UPLIFTER’s took shelter and shared their experiences of nature in response to what was happening in the world and the wellbeing of the world.

We were joined by yoga teacher and sound therapist, Sarah Teal who led mindful movement and meditation around natural sounds. Many shared that they’d not experienced anything quite like it, but it had really made them listen and think about what they were listening to. UPLIFTER Gillian also delivered a Forest Schools exercise using materials from the landscape to create pagan stars.

The making continued with everyone mucking in to help make bonfire bbq beans and rocky road intended to be eaten around the campfire! Whilst the weather put out any fires it was lovely to come together and cook for the first-time post pandemic.  

As the Autumn evening drew in, we gathered to listen to folk music and stories from Rebecca and Nick. With the dark skies outside a real gig vibe was created, and whilst cold in temperature there was such warmth in the atmosphere.

It's become apparent to us throughout this programme the importance of planning but also the importance in following through on those plans and in Green UPLIFT we submit to the elements come what may! Folk Fires really was the epitome of the proverbial expression ‘best laid plans’ and yet it was one of the most soul enriching UPLIFT’s in the calendar with overarching themes of community and connection coming out of the day. It confirmed just how important community is, especially at a time when so much is changing and uncertainly lies. It showed how community can be created anywhere amongst any conditions and how it can ground you. And it reinforced that nature is always there, and we can always connect with it. 

'Precious Pigments' and 'Walking with Trees'

We feel very lucky to have the beautiful Cannon Hall on our doorstep and we’ve enjoyed some great Green UPLIFT’s there throughout the calendar. Here’s a look back at the latest ones, ‘Precious Pigments’ and ‘Walking with the Trees’

Precious Pigments

UPLIFTER’s had a great afternoon working alongside Cannon Hall’s artist in Residence, Louise Wright, in her onsite studio. 

UPLIFTER’s were introduced to Louise’s work which uses plants from the Walled Garden’s to create wonderful Prussian blues, dark inks and pigments. UPLIFTER’S worked alongside Louise to create beautiful little watercolour blocks which sat within acorn hats, which they were able to take away.

It was a highly interesting and informative afternoon that saw UPLIFTER’s try something new:

“It’s been very interesting learning about new natural processes, dyes and inks. It’s been a very relaxing atmosphere, good for the mind. I was surprised to see all the different colours you can produce out of a few ingredients. I’d have a go at this myself, it’s very interesting. Addictive!”

Walking with Tree's

Back on site but with a different activity, UPLIFTER’s were joined by Park Manager Sandra Sutton for a guided walk around the grounds exploring Cannon Hall’s ancient tree’s, learning about their heritage and discovering the reasons for their specific placement within the landscape. Poet, Winston Plowes joined the gang for a further ‘Rewilding Walk’, contemplating the greatness of these sentinels of the Parkland. 

With lots of walking and talking in the great fresh air, an UPLIFT-ing time was had by all!

Dandelions and Double Yellows - A Three Day Residency with Helen Thomas

We were so pleased to be joined by artist, Helen Thomas on our Green UPLIFT, ‘Dandelions and Double Yellows, a three-day residency with Helen Thomas.

Helen is Yorkshire based visual artist, working predominantly with painting and drawing, her work explores responses to plants in the environment.

Much of Helen’s work focuses on noticing nature that emerges through urban landscapes. Nature returning and reclaiming. Many plants are regarded as weeds, but if we take the time to really look at them, we can find the beauty within them. Being mindful of these beautiful little still lives in the cracks and the walls around urban environments, Helen's work encourages us to recognize the value in these scenes when we take the time to notice nature breaking through.

Helen’s 2021 project, Dandelions and Double Yellows is described as an art, nature and noticing project.

“The project is an invitation to take time to notice and reconsider the plants growing on pavements, and in our everyday surroundings. These plants, which are often overlooked or dismissed as weeds, can contribute to urban biodiversity as well as bringing colour and interest to our neighbourhoods, villages and towns.”

Inspired by Helen’s work we took to the streets and yards and also found ourselves in the calm of the graveyard which made for a serene setting for sketching wild plants. UPLIFTER’s enjoyed the peace and quiet this provided whilst still being very much in the middle of the Town. As well as finding poison ivy, the group researched various wild plants sharing their properties, an exchange of information.

The residency also featured mindful poetry; UPLIFTER’s were encouraged to find a word for the day and really tune into what was happening in the environment. Taking three words from each participant, the group created some very insightful and amusing poems.

The work that came out of this residency was really incredible. UPLIFTER’s learnt some great new techniques which included drawing with very fine sticks and dragging water and then dipping ink to create fine, beautiful lines that could be used for drawing the roots and the finer parts of flowers.

Helen also showed some of her pieces from the Dandelions and Double Yellows exhibition at Wakefield Cathedral. Long, thin pieces designed to hang from the pillars of the Cathedral. All were in agreement, extraordinary work!

A big thank you to Helen for a fantastic residency, a real highlight in the calendar.

You can read more about Helen’s work on her website: http://www.toastedorange.co.uk/

A look back at Tai Chi in the Park and Terrarium Workshop, allotment social!

It’s been a while since we’ve been on here! We’ve been so busy delivering the action-packed Green UPLIFT calendar, it's not left much time for blogging but as our Green UPLIFT sadly draws to a close, we reflect on the special days we’ve shared together.

Picking up from where we left off in Elsecar Park, our following Green UPLIFT saw another instalment of Tai Chi in the park (a different Park!) with local Tai Chi master, Rich Morley. As well as being great for physical health, Tai Chi is also recognized to promote mindfulness, a meditation tool that can be very positive for your mental health and wellbeing. A spot of midweek mindfulness certainly helps us to get through the week and seemingly had a very positive impact on UPLIFTER’s too:

“I feel very chilled. There’s something lovely about doing Tai Chi outside, with the birdsong and the sun coming out, doing it in nature is really good for you, very good for mindfulness.”

“It’s great for people to get back into nature, especially if you’re moving and breathing in it, just being in nature is calming. A dose of calm.”

We couldn't agree more!

In another return to the programme and back by popular demand was the allotment social 
featuring a terrarium workshop with DIY Terrariums. 

Terrarium's are self-sustaining eco systems, miniature landscapes in jars. They are created by layering pebbles, charcoals, soil and moss so each plant has all it needs. 

In this tactile and therapeutic workshop, UPLIFTER’s commented: 

“The workshop was very good, it was informative, they explained things and it was easy to follow. It was nice to do something different, to create something that you can take home and see it grow."

Here's Liz with one she made earlier!