Lancashire Witches 400
Date: 18/04/12
Pendle - Pendle
An extensive creative programme
Lancashire Witches 400
The Lancashire Witches 400 (LW400) programme, running throughout 2012, explores the heritage of the Infamous Lancashire Witches and the 400th anniversary of their trial and subsequent execution. As well as considering the heritage of Lancashire, LW400 is also an extensive creative programme that includes a series of site - specific/site - responsive works along the route the Lancashire Witches may have made in 1612 as they were taken from Pendle to Lancaster. Green Close are working with historian, Robert Poole, and other heritage professionals, to consider the role of the 'witches' in 1612 and also the Lancaster based charity Stepping Stones Nigeria to develop an understanding of current human rights abuses towards children accused as ‘witches’ in the Niger delta today The LW400 programme includes:
A new walking trail across Lancashire
Green Close are working closely with Lancashire County Council Countryside Service, the Long Distance Walkers Association, the Ramblers Association and keen local walkers to develop a new long-distance walking route from Pendle to Lancaster. The Poet Laureate Carol Ann Duffy is being commissioned to write a poem for the project, based on the history and key themes of the Lancashire Witches story, which will be installed along the route as a series of beautiful stone-carvings along the new trail and act as a legacy of LW400.
Creative Programme
This original and contemporary creative programme has the dramatic and breathtaking backdrop of rural Lancashire for its setting. Green Close has commissioned: Louise Ann Wilson Company, performance maker, scenographer and artist to create Sky Dancer a site-specific walking performance in September inspired by the Hen Harrier, a rare bird found in the Forest of Bowland; plus Crabman, Signpost & Bell to create Signs&, a 3 day programme in August of public walks, events and publications. Fine artist Helen Saunders is creating a series of new photo montage works based on the different landscapes of the area, and Sue Flowers will be creating a series of ecological and environmental art works in response to the biodiversity found along the route.
Educational Programme
Children from Padiham Green CE Primary School, Brennands Endowed Primary School (Slaidburn) and Quernmore (CE Controlled) Primary School (near Lancaster) are becoming ambassadors for their own local history, visiting museums across Lancashire and develop a new understanding of local history & archive groups. Each school is working with its own Green Close artist to explore an interesting combination of historical and creative research. Artists working on the project are assemblage artist Kate Eggleston-Wirtz, Fine Artist Pete Flowers & Environmental artist Sue Flowers.
Community Participation
Historical talks, guided walks and community art & history workshops are currently being planned for local people to engage with the project. We will be delivering photography workshops and gathering stories to inform our understanding of the living meaning of this history. Lancaster based theatre designer & artist Hilli McManus is working with local groups to create a mono-chrome quilt inspired by fusing 17th Century woodcuts, Nigerian textile patterns and every day superstitions. The piece will be auctioned to raise money for Stepping Stones Nigeria. Ceramic artist Julie Miles is creating carved brick way markers with members of the local community, sound artist Jenny Ford is capturing and record key elements of the programme, and Veronica Caperon will lead three unique photo walks in Lancashire.
Get involved Free Cold wax batik workshop
Saturday 21st April 10am – 4pm @Pizza Margherita
Lancaster Saturday 28th April Slaidburn Village Hall
Free Cold wax batik workshop 11am – 4 pm
Free Carved Brick Way- makers workshop 11am -4pm
Historical talk by Robert Poole 1612-2012 7:30 pm - free
Booking essential either online or tel.015242 21233
Find out more about the project
Gallery
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