It’s that time of year again. The nights are drawing in, the leaves are falling and the earth quietens as we prepare to enter the dark half of the year. It’s now become a Walkspace tradition to mark this point in the calendar with a Halloween walk around the Stirchley Skull and we hope you can join us.
We created the Stirchley Skull two years ago in the midst of the plague by overlaying an image of a skull onto a map of Stirchley and then walking it into existence under the light of a full moon. We carried jar lanterns to ward off evil spirits and ate soul cakes for sustenance.
A year later our second skull walk was nearly thwarted by an early winter tempest but fortunately the howling gales and horizontal rain were short-lived and the walk was able to go ahead, albeit without the lanterns. Minus the protection of the lanterns we were subjected to many incursions from the Otherworld, this being the time of year when the veil between the physical world and world beyond is at its thinnest. Fortunately we still managed to complete the circuit without losing anyone along the way. Will we be as fortunate this time?
Join us on Monday, October 31st at 7:30pm, outside Stirchley Library on Bournville Lane. This is a gentle circular route lasting no more than 90 minutes with the option of going to the pub after to de-spook. The terrain will mostly be pavement and roads, with a bit of grass and a gravelly track. Prepare for muddy conditions and the first gales of winter. No need to book, just turn up. A number of jar lanterns will be provided, weather permitting, but if you’d like to bring your own please do so.
A group of artists and writers gather together for Unherd! Walking the Land events to explore themes of land ownership/access, climate change, community resilience, rewilding, growing, justice and indigenous culture through walks, creative activities, mapping, discussion and research in the landscape around the Marches Mosses and Rural Art Hub close to the Welsh-English border in North Shropshire.
This is an inclusive group enabling artists to follow their individual artist practices or to find ways to collaborate. We are working together to develop longer term plans for a funded project involving the local community, creating both audiences and activists, raising awareness and much-needed hope of arriving at a collective manifesto.
All are welcome to join our events. For more information email Andrew at: andrew@andrew-howe.com
Next Events
The next event Digging Words is scheduled for Friday October 7th 2022 starting at the Rural Art Hub, 10am.
For Digging Words participants will be invited to pause on different stages of the walk and respond to a range of provocations and instructions which will invite play with words used commonly to describe the experience of the rural. These improvised texts – both writings and readings, sonic and visual – will accumulate to form the basis for a final collective performance-installation at the end of the walk. No experience necessary. All welcome.
Each event has a different theme with walking and or creative activities devised and led by one or more artists. Please consider making a donation on a “pay what you can” basis to contribute towards paying artists/event leaders, Rural Art Hub hosting, general events co-ordination and planning and potentially building towards future projects and community engagement.
The last Unherd! event of 2022 is scheduled for Friday 25th November
Values.Voices.Action.
Unherd! emerged from conversations started by Andrew Howe with other artists about extending the Mosses and Marshes project and it has opened out to link with other ventures. We are picking up on some of the themes explored during the Mosses + Marshes international discussion panel in November 2021 which led to the Values. Voices. Actions. initiative. Read more
Unherd! is:
breaking away from fixed, established narratives in the rural landscape to reveal more nuanced stories
hosted by the Rural Art Hub, itself bringing new creative life and perspectives to a former dairy farm, home to the Willenhall herd
seeking to give voice to those less heard from across the local community and further afield
Previous Events
Previous events have investigated historic timelines and themes of access to land and justice, rural utopias and deep time.
Walking the Land
Led by Andrew Howe, this circular walk of just over 6 miles to Bettisfield Moss, traversed a timeline rich with stories of Iron Age/Bronze Age bog bodies, land seizure by Norman lords, Turbary rights, Land Enclosures, contentious construction of canal and railways, wind powered and steam powered corn mills, fine churches built by local aristocracy, target practice and bombing during two World Wars, industrial peat extraction, forest clearance and finally peat bog restoration and natural resurgence.
We walked with the themes of access to land and justice in mind and returned to the Mothershippon studio at the Rural Art Hub to make creative responses.
Rural Utopias – A walk towards Hanmer Mere led by Andrew Howe and creative activities in Hanmer village.
The 6 mile circuit took us from the Mother Shippon to the edges of Bettisfield Park and the epicentre of the Hanmer estate which has had such an influence on the Mosses and surrounding landscape for many centuries. The family descends from an officer of Edward I, and later a supporter of Owain Glyn Dwr – descendants included Tory MPs, high ranking lawyers, local benefactors and they were one of the main instigators of the Enclosure Act which led to large scale peat extraction at the Moss.
During the walk we reflected on what would be different in our rural utopia – for example, if there was reduced demand for meat production, there would be less need for secure boundaries for holding livestock, and land could become more accessible and potentially open to other public uses.
Deep Time
Julie Harrison led this 4 mile walk through the landscape of Fenns Moss, describing some of the geological history of Shropshire and evolution of the Earth through a 4.6km section of the walk. This walk was inspired and based on the work of Dr Stephan Harding, whose own Deep Time Walk is available to download as an app www.deeptimewalk.org
Resources and maps for others to follow these routes and make creative responses are available.
With an increased emphasis on the need to reconnect with nature, to escape the city and restore ourselves in greenery, what happens if we attempt to flip this? What if instead we escape to the city? What if we try to reconnect with the urban and restore ourselves amongst the grey?
Join our newest member Dan Gutteridge on September 18th for a walk through the hyper-urban streets of Birmingham. Rather than simply rushing through the concrete to get from A to B, we’ll take time to see and think about these busy pedestrian streets differently; investigating the emotional influence they have on all who pass through and inhabit them.
As we drift we will use ’emoji mapping’ to unfold how we see and feel in various sections and consider how these spaces might bring new experiences to us. Being away from nature, can we connect to the urban in ways that generate similar emotions to those we feel amongst the green?
The walk will be a playful attempt to unpack how and why we feel the way we do in the city. Using an empty map of the streets and some emoji stickers we’ll have a go at mapping our emotions (positive and negative) using the stickers as starting points for discussions. Whether you love or hate walking in the city, you’re sure to come away with a fresh perspective.
Meet in Victoria Square at the bottom of the stairs by the fountain at 11am on Sunday 18th September. We’ll then set off down New Street for a 90 minute walk, finishing off back where we started. The terrain will be pavement with only slight inclines and no steps. No need to book, just turn up. The walk will go ahead whatever the weather so check the forecast and dress appropriately.
Those who wish to bring their own cameras/notepads/pens are encouraged to do so but this is not a requirement as all materials needed for the mapping will be provided. After the walk there will be the option of retiring to a pub or cafe to chat further over beverages.
Dan is currently undertaking research on walking in hyper-urban environments for his Masters dissertation. The emoji mapping of New Street will help contribute to this. For more information on this ahead of the walk email Dan on s2104925@uni.cumbria.ac.uk
The Roaming Flags of Bumble Hole concludes on Saturday 13th August with a colourful parade featuring music, readings, rites and of course, flags. The parade will celebrate the miraculous transformation of the site now known as Bumble Hole Local Nature Reserve, from a blackened hive of extractive industry into a teeming haven of natural abundance. Our observances will ensure the continued thriving of nature on this land for many years to come.
This is a participatory event and the more people who take part, the stronger the magic will be so please do come along and bring a friend (or several). There will be enough flags for everyone. The cotton flags have been coloured with natural dyes and were decorated by the participants of our previous event in July. Now that we’ve created the flags it’s time to fly them.
The procession of the flags will take us on a tour of many of the reserve’s finest features including winding canals, shady woodland, hilltop vistas, an industrial ruin and into the mouth of a pitch-black tunnel. Musical accompaniment will be provided by Beth Hopkins who will lead sing-a-long renditions of original and traditional folk songs drawn directly from the soil in which the flags will stand.
Inspired by Tibetan Prayer Flags, there are five different colours of flag, each representing a different element: blue for the sky, white for the air, red for fire, green for water and yellow for earth. Our procession will focus on each of these elements in turn and at different points on the route the flags will be fixed into the ground and strung across the waterways in spectacular displays.
Meet at 12pm outside the Bumble Hole Nature Reserve Visitor Centre, Windmill End, Dudley DY2 9HS. No need to book. Suitable for all ages. The event will last no more than two hours and will finish up back where it started. Refreshments and toilet facilities are available at the visitor centre but you may also wish to bring a packed lunch. For other queries please contact Andy.
This project is supported by Creative Black Country as part of Arts Council England’s Creative People and Places National Portfolio programme, Dudley Metropolitan Borough Council (DMBC) and support from CoLab Dudley.
This walk is inspired by the Norse concept of Warden Trees – central trees in towns and villages thought to be bringers of luck and guardians of the people. In return for their protection, locals made offerings (often beer), and they were considered non-human figures in the community.
Join Walkspace members and tree enthusiasts Roo and Katy on Sunday 7th August. As a group we will consider and explore what and where those Warden Trees might be in our neighbourhoods, and what that two-way act of care might look like. Taking two neighbourhoods for this initial walk – Cotteridge and Stirchley.
We’d like you to think about a tree that is, or was, special to you – perhaps in childhood*. What memories do you have of it? How did you treat it, and how did it treat you?
Did a tree keep you company during the lockdowns? If it’s nearby, perhaps we can visit it.
Meet at Hazelwell Park, Stirchley under the lovely large oak tree at the far eastern edge of the park (see pics below) at 2pm, Sunday 7th August. The tree stands at the highest point of the park and has a bin next to it. The walk will last around two hours, finishing up in Stirchley Park (next to Morrisons) where you are welcome to join us for a picnic. No need to book, just turn up.
The terrain will mostly be pavement, grass and roads with some reasonably steep inclines. Steps will be avoided. Please bring with you memories of trees, a suitable offering**, and a preparedness to wander about.
Bumble Hole nature reserve in Dudley may appear to be an idyllic natural setting but in reality it’s a landscape shaped almost entirely by industrial activity. 150 years ago it was a site riddled with coal pits, coke furnaces, boatyards, boiler works, brick kilns, clay pits and spoil heaps. Not to mention the constant chug of materials being transported by water and rail. Today though the contrast couldn’t be greater – this former hive of extractive industry is now a peaceful haven for wildlife, waterfowl, insects, flora, grassland and trees.
This event, led by Walkspace members Andrew Howe, Beth Hopkins and Andy Howlett, will celebrate the reclamation of this land by nature with a sensory guided walk followed by a flag-making workshop. Join us on Sunday 17th July to tune in to nature and get creative.
We will visit some of the key points of interest around the reserve using a series of fun prompts to connect with the landscape. We will use the walk to generate ideas and inspiration for the flag-making activities which will follow the walk, taking place outside the visitor centre.
The cotton flags will be in a range of sizes and styles and they will be pre-coloured with natural dyes made from plants found locally. There will be a range of stamps, stencils, inks and other materials for participants to experiment with in their designs. No artistic skills or experience is required.
This is the first event of our Roaming Flags of Bumble Hole project. The flags that we create will later be used in a public celebratory procession on 13th August, for which the workshop participants are welcome to return.
Book your place
This event will start outside the Bumble Hole visitor centre just off the Dudley Canal at 10am and will finish at the same place at around 2pm. It’s free but places are limited and booking is essential. Important details are on the event booking page. For other queries please contact Andy.
This project is supported by Creative Black Country as part of Arts Council England’s Creative People and Places National Portfolio programme, Dudley Metropolitan Borough Council (DMBC) and support from CoLab Dudley.
We are happy to announce that we’ve been commissioned by Creative Black Country to run two events celebrating the natural abundance, waterways and rich history of Bumble Hole nature reserve in Dudley.
The Roaming Flags of Bumble Hole will take place across the summer and will involve a sensory guided walk, a flag making workshop and a celebratory musical procession. The project is part of the Dudley Creates Summer of Creativity which will see art, colour and fun opportunities popping up in spaces and places across the Borough from June to September.
Our flags will be coloured with natural dyes made with plants found locally and the designs will be informed by participants’ responses to the sensory guided walk. Inspired by Tibetan prayer flags, we shall be using five different colours: blue, white, red, green and yellow to represent the five elements of sky, air, fire, water and earth. Rather than being an exercise in patriotic territory claiming, the flags will represent nature asserting its own stake in the land.
The project will culminate in August with The Earth Parade: a public ceremonial procession of the flags around the reserve in which participants will be able to show off their designs and celebrate their collective stake in nature’s abundance. The flags will be fixed into temporary installations around the reserve and strung across the waterways in a spectacular display. The parade will be accompanied by sing-a-long renditions of original and traditional folk songs drawn directly from the soil in which the flags will stand.
The Roaming Flags project is headed up by three members of the Walkspace collective: Andy Howlett, Beth Hopkins and Andrew Howe. Together they shall draw on their varied backgrounds in painting, printmaking, songwriting and the walking arts to create a truly participatory celebration of this magical area.
Key Dates
Sun 17th July, 10am – Sensory guided walk and onsite flag making workshop. Free but booking essential. Book here. No art skills or experience necessary. Ages 8+
Sat 13th August, 12pm – The Earth Parade: a celebratory Procession of the flags with musical and singing accompaniment. Free, no booking required. Suitable for all ages.
This project is supported by Creative Black Country as part of Arts Council England’s Creative People and Places National Portfolio programme, Dudley Metropolitan Borough Council (DMBC) and support from CoLab Dudley.
For June’s Erratic we’re venturing deep into the bowels of the Black Country with a chilling walk through the longest canal tunnel in the West Midlands. The Netherton Tunnel was dug between 1855-1858 and stretches 1.7 miles beneath the Rowley Hills. It is accessible to the public via towpaths either side of the canal.
Adding to the spookiness, the tunnel is unlit save for the natural light that enters through eight ventilation shafts spaced evenly across its length. These are the only connection to the world above. At the innermost point of the tunnel you are 105 meters below the ground and all you can see is a pinprick of light far ahead, and the same behind.
Above ground the ventilation shafts are visible as cylindrical chimneys, or “pepper pots” as they’re locally known. They sprinkle the suburban landscape and can be found in woods, on roundabouts and in gardens. Legend has it that eight of these shafts can be counted inside the tunnel but only seven have been identified above. Where is the missing pepper pot? Will we find it?
Have you seen a pepper pot like this one?
This walk begins and ends at Dudley Port Station. We shall enter the tunnel through the north portal, a twenty minute walk from the station. Assuming we all make it through, we shall emerge about 45 minutes later in Bumble Hole (grow up) nature reserve where we can drop by the visitor centre and use the facilities. The return journey will be above ground, tracing the route of the tunnel by walking between the pepper pot chimneys.
This is our longest Erratic to date by some distance: we estimate a 6 mile round trip. If you think you have what it takes, meet Andy and Andrew at the main entrance to Dudley Port Station at 10am, Saturday, 25th June. No need to book. Bring a torch, a packed lunch and sturdy footwear as the towpath can be uneven and wet in the tunnel. The terrain will be pavement, grassland, towpath and roads with some steep climbs on the way back. We aim to be back at Dudley Port Station by 2pm.
Any queries, email: andyhowlett@hotmail.com
The walk will go ahead whatever the weather. We recommend signing up to our mailing list and/or checking our social media feeds to stay informed in the unlikely event of a cancellation.
For May’s Erratic we teamed up with Flatpack Festival for a pilgrimage to Spaghetti Junction to celebrate its 50th birthday. We had a great turn out of 25+ people and the weather was kind, which all made for a delightful and profound day.
The walk began in Victoria Square and from there we made our way down to the Birmingham and Fazeley Canal which we then followed the rest of the way to Spaghetti Junction; a total distance of 3.5 miles. We took in the sights, basked in the sun and considered the significance of Spaghetti Junction as a “confluence of confluences”: a meeting point for two motorways, multiple trunk roads, three canals, two rivers and a brook.
Upon arrival we performed a sacred rite involving the music of Black Sabbath and water from the Grand Union Canal. This was in tribute to the artist Bill Drummond who witnessed a miracle here in 1973 and who chose this site to begin and end his ongoing twelve year world tour The 25 Paintings.
We finished with a picnic on the banks of Aston Reservoir before making our way back into town (by train this time) for the final night of the festival. We were fortunate enough to have the event documented by a professional photographer, the hugely talented Katja Ogrin and so we include some of her pictures below, alongside others taken on the walk. Thanks to all who came! Details of next month’s Erratic up soon.
Walkspace has a strong cohort of flaneurs, the “connoisseurs of the street;” urban roamers who stroll the streets and parks of the city. Who delve with delight into canalside tunnels and under brutalist bridges, who wander through suburban estates and industrial sites, who walk the concrete and tarmac ways in a quest for urban stories and strange erratics. Walkers who revel in the expression of human doing and being that a city is.
But there is a (very) tiny cohort of Walkspace members for whom urban roaming is trial rather than a joy. These are folks who delve into nettle infested woods, wander down rutted muddy tracks or stagger breathlessly up high tussocky hills. I am firmly in the second group. Having escaped 14 years of suburban and city living almost nothing could tempt me to walk its grey streets again, not even the pleasure of a Walkspace walk, with lovely Walkspace people.
(I really need to invent a name for rural flaneuring – considering all the livestock we encounter maneuring comes to mind)
So when Andy and Robson decided to host another Walkspace Erratic, I thought it would be fun to accompany the group, but at a significant distance. Herefordshire, where I live, has quite a few erratics of its own as ancient glaciers carved swathes across this landscape. I reached out to Kate Green, who I suspected is a fellow maneur and we hatched a plan to hunt down the Whetstone, a large erratic situated somewhere atop Hergest Ridge. We’d start our walk the same day and time as the Birmingham erratic walk and share pictures live on the Walkspace WhatsApp.
Hergest Ridge is the name of Mike Oldfield’s difficult second album and also a large hill, rising above the small town of Kington. It’s right on the border between Wales and England with Offa’s Dyke LDP traversing straight across its top. From the summit of the hill several barrows and hillforts can be seen on the neighbouring hills. Hergest Ridge has an elevation of 426m and if you ever fancy doing a spot of Marilyn bagging, Hergest Ridge should be on your list.
Kate drove us to Kington as I am still rather nervous of all the one-car-wide roads around here and we were joined on our quest by Dot, a small shaggy-haired bundle of irrepressible canine enthusiasm and joy. It was a steep trek from the carpark to the top of the ridge and while I laboured my arthritic joints up the slope, Kate went slightly mad and began spotting potential erratics left, right and centre. We knew the approximate location of the Whetsone (ie, it was on the hill) but we hadn’t really done any homework and just wandered erratically (ahem) over the landscape, enjoying the wind and space and the song of skylarks.
Kate and Dot…kruse
Soon Kate spotted more stones and we both began to flex our maneur muscles, tuning into the landscape of The Ancestors and divining a potential layout of tracks and stones that could be the remnants of an ancient stone circle. It actually got genuinely exciting as we discussed how the ancestors might have used the hill, imagining rituals and burials and ourselves following in the footsteps of those long dead, mysterious people who dotted the hills all around the Ridge with barrows, standing stones and hillforts.
All the while Dot bounded around, cheerfully sniffing and leaping onto the smaller stones, rushing everywhere with cheerful gusto. Despite only having six inch long legs I’m sure Dot covered more than twice the distance we did.
When we finally found the Whetstone itself I was astonished by how big it was. We wondered if it was completely natural, or if it had been carved in any way. Kate found a portion of the stone that seemed to form a perfect and comfortable seat. Maybe it had been a King’s Seat once? We knew the stone had played a significant role in the history of the local people and had once been a place where food had been distributed to lepers, which seemed rather hard on the lepers, considering its elevation.
It was really nice to be walking at the same time and on the same quest as the Birmingham based cohort and I for one would really like to do something like this again. Perhaps a canal versus river walk or a rural v urban industrial walk. Although quite honestly, any walk that includes Dot (and Kate!) would be a walk worth doing.
…kruse is a neurodivergent, experimental artist and writer, whose practice includes drawing, writing, storytelling and phenomenological research.She is interested in the connections between landscape, mythmaking, magic and story.For more of her writing see her excellent Wayfaring blog.
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