'Peeling Back the Layers'
In this project, REAP collaborated with 'The Farming Life Centre' to explore the landscape around Blackwell Hall, its archaeology, ecology, geology and history. There are over 40 archaeological features of significance on this land including important 19th century lime kilns, a medieval field system and a Romano British settlement. The land hosts field orchids and wild flowers of botanical significance and supports rare wildlife.
Village Workshops | Schools Workshops | Open Day
Village workshops
Village
workshops in Chelmorton and Taddington involved children, elders, residents and visitors to
the area in the sharing of knowledge of farming and life on the land and their appreciation
of this area of outstanding natural beauty.
Building imagery upon actual maps of the area, produced art works depicting tales, trials and
tribulations rich with information about the emotional, social and economic reality of this
well loved landscape and the people in it.
Utilising
digital image-making, collage and 'mapping' in its broadest sense everyone involved worked
together to remember, recount and express knowledge of the landscape, its history, folklore,
mysteries and traditions. Contributions were made in the form of short stories, poems, drawings,
rubbings, found objects and collections of flora.
Engaging participants in a range of approaches, the workshops asked people to put themselves
on the map - birth places, marriage places, homesteads and family connections were plotted.
Digital portraits with short captions reminded us of who we live alongside and their needs,
dreams and aspirations for the community.
There's nowhere like Derbyshire - no people like Derbyshire people; they're so generous, open handed.
Mary Marshall
They couldn't keep me off the tractors, come hail or shine. I loved the mechanical side of things. Never had an accident, some near misses though!
Tom Brocklehurst
Schools Workshops
School workshops lead by local artists took place in Fairfield Infants, Fairfield Juniors, Taddington Primary and Harpur Hill Juniors. Artists worked with the children, using the theme of 'mapping'.
Starting the project with a direct experience of the landscape, the children visited Blackwell
Hall Farm and walked to 'Chee Tor' to see the burial ground, Romano British Settlement remains.
Artists, ecologists and archaeologists helped the children to see the historic remains - and
clues were found about what may have taken place on the land in years gone by. Following their
explorations and armed with many drawings and photographs, collections of plants and flowers,
wool, bones and feathers the children set about making a map of their interpretations of what
they had seen.
Harpur
Hill Juniors produced a detailed map - accurately reflecting the summer palette of the recently
mown fields and wild flowers and thistles. Responding to stories about the trains that used
to roar under Chee Tor - their map included creative writing inspired by the drama.
Fairfield Infants used clay as their medium. Using found objects from the site and drawing
inspiration from stories and imaginings about the lives of the Romano British settlers - their
map is a relief work, comprised of clay tiles bearing the imprints of their finds.
Taddington
Primary School created a 'flora' - a collection of flowers and plants from their walks - they
then researched the names, uses and exact botanical features to decorate their map.
Fairfield Juniors explored the theme of 'Creatures Above and Below the Ground'. The map depicts
the whereabouts, and variety of mini-beasts local to Blackwell Hall.
Open Day
An Open Day at Blackwell Hall Farm was a culmination of all the project work in the form of exhibitions, workshops, guided walks, archaeological displays, storytelling and reminiscence. Knowledgeable guides from the Peak Park Ranger Service led visitors to Chee Tor and Millers Dale to see the archaeological features. The stationed routes were animated with talks.
Sue Palmer (above left) of Buxton Museum explains the settlement remains and tells of mysterious finds.
Local artist, Paula Bowman (middle) comes to life as Bronze Age Princess, 'Grainne' to tell tales of her life and death at the burial mound.
An exhibition (above right) featuring the 'ups & downs' of farming life was a culmination of local research, reminiscence activity and creative workshops reflecting on the life and times of the Peak District.
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