In this year's Bowland Lecture, "Are You Lost? The past, present and future of Bowland", Dr Rob St John examines the relationship between landscape memory and imagination in Bowland to ask: what does the future hold for this special place?
The lecture will take place on the evening of Tuesday 7th October at Browsholme Hall's Tithe Barn.
Rob's lecture explores a series of historical moments over the last 150 years to narrate a story of the invention of contemporary Bowland, including, significantly, the designation of the Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty in 1964.
The annual lecture aims to raise funds for local charities, Slaidburn Archive and Champion Bowland and will be introduced by Chair of Champion Bowland, Mike Pugh.
Mike said, "These annual lectures have proved very popular and we're grateful to the Parker family for inviting us to hold this latest presentation at the Tithe Barn once again. Previous lecture subjects have included everything, from the area's geology and prehistory, to the history of the Lordship of Bowland – and even a specially commissioned piece of music. Rob's lecture will offer the chance to look at this very special place from a different angle and we look forward to welcoming people on the night."
The lecture will begin at 7.30pm, with a pay bar available from 7pm. Admission is £5 and places need to be booked in advance through the online link in the listings on the Forest of Bowland National Landscape website at www.forestofbowland.com/festival-bowland. Further information is available by contacting Sandra Silk on sandra.silk@lancashire.gov.uk or on 07973 923142.
Are You Lost? is part of a national arts programme called Nature Calling, with the Forest of Bowland being one of six creative hubs across England. During the project, Rob has drawn on his own Bowland roots and spent a year working with people across the landscape – farmers, urban children, estate workers, archaeologists, fell runners, historians, poets, environmentalists, policy makers and more.
Are You Lost? has been commissioned by the Forest of Bowland National Landscape and is produced by Lancaster Arts. Executive producers are Activate Performing Arts and the National Landscapes Association and the programme is funded by Arts Council England and Defra.
The finale of the Are You Lost? arts project will take place in Gisburn Forest on the weekend of 30th and 31st August, with free activity for all ages. Further details are available at www.lancasterarts.org