News

Five new "Landmark Trees" have been planted to celebrate the diamond anniversary of the Forest of Bowland National Landscape, thanks to the help of local parish councils.

The Forest of Bowland National Landscape (formerly Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty) celebrated its 60th anniversary last year. Known for its heather covered moorlands, wooded cloughs and distinctive stone villages, Bowland received its official status in 1964 and is recognised as being amongst the finest landscapes in the country.

Although the "forest" in the name refers to ancient hunting areas, rather than a large expanse of woodland, trees are a key component in Bowland's landscape and play a crucial role in the area's sense of place.

Following an invitation from the Forest of Bowland National Landscape Partnership in autumn last year, five parish councils received funding to plant a Landmark Tree during the winter planting season and have recently begun to receive their commemorative tree plaques.

Sandra Silk, Project Officer with the Forest of Bowland National Landscape Partnership said, "Individual veteran trees can often be a focal point within communities, marking the passage of time and holding memories for generations of local residents and visitor alike. We hope these newly planted trees will play a similar role, establishing themselves as "Landmark Trees" in the decades ahead."

Sandra continued, "Landmark Trees can be found in many settings, from hedgerows to village greens. As they are lost through old age, disease and damaging storms we're in danger of losing that history too, so we're inviting people to nominate prominent Bowland trees which they feel may benefit from having a successor planted nearby."

Bowland with Leagram, Higham with West Close, Old Laund Booth, Roughlee Booth and Thornley with Wheatly Parish Councils took part in the Diamond Landmark Tree scheme and all have planted trees in areas which either have public access, or which are visible from a public right of way. Species include rowan, crab apple and oak.

Anyone interested in nominating a potential Bowland Landmark Tree is invited to contact Sandra Silk on 07973 923142 or to email sandra.silk@lancashire.gov.uk.

The finale of an exciting and ambitious new art project will take place in Gisburn Forest this month.

Are You Lost?, created by artist Rob St John and Kate O’Farrell, is part of a national initiative called Nature Calling, in partnership with the National Landscapes Association, and seeks to understand how communities connect with the natural world around them. It aims to open up conversations about access to wild spaces and celebrate our place and responsibility in these environments.

The project, which has been running for the last eleven months, is commissioned by the Forest of Bowland National Landscape, and produced by Lancaster Arts.

Are You Lost? will culminate in a weekend of cultural activity centred around a sound, film and textile art installation, created with the people who live in and around Bowland, exploring the voices, textures and sights of the landscape. It first opened to the public in Nelson in June as part of the Pendle Festival of Culture, before moving to Dunsop Bridge at the beginning of August. Alongside the installation, visitors have taken part in a range of activities including, foraging and sensory walks, singing,  screen printing and weaving workshops, and conversations on farming, environmental management with national landscapes and engagement, particularly with young people. Artist Rob St John recently appeared on BBC Countryfile alongside young people who have taken part in the project.

Are You Lost? is now set for its big finale in the heart of Gisburn Forest, managed by Forestry England, on 30-31 August.

The artwork combines archival footage from the historic floods of 1967 in Dunsop Valley with recent film portraying contributors’ personal memories and feelings about Bowland. The soundscape includes sounds gathered through workshops with young people in Nelson and Burnley, alongside songs, choral improvisations and field recordings of the landscape. The textile pieces are created by Lancashire textile artist Kate O’Farrell and draw upon the history of the area, from the cotton mills of east Lancashire, to the textile traditions of Gujarat, where many of the local communities have roots.

Speaking about the project, artist Rob St John said:

“It's been a real pleasure to see so many people come to the Are You Lost? installations in Nelson and Dunsop Bridge, and to explore the local landscapes in walks and workshops. The work is based on the voices and creativity of hundreds of people, both from the Forest of Bowland and from its fringes, who have shared their perspectives on how this landscape might flourish, both for people and nature.”

Lancaster Arts Director Jocelyn Cunningham said:

“Working with Rob and the Forest of Bowland National Landscape has been incredibly rewarding, not to mention lots of fun! To be able to produce art that has been created in collaboration with Bowland communities has been a joy and the reaction from those local to Bowland as well as visitors has been a real treat. We want to go out in style in Gisburn, the last opportunity to experience this installation in its natural habitat, so there will be tonnes of fascinating walks and workshops for everyone to get involved with and it’s all completely free. We hope to see you there!”

Alongside the installation, Are You Lost? features a range of artist workshops, conversations and guided walks, open to all, to create a mini festival atmosphere and will have something for people of all ages.

In addition, composer Julian Evans has been running a series of singing workshops and rehearsals throughout the summer to form a new choral group, The Stonechats. The group have been working on an original piece of music to be performed in Gisburn Forest on 31 August to bring Are You Lost? to a close.

To find out more about Are You Lost? visit lancasterarts.org, where you can also listen to the Are You Lost? Podcast series to better understand the project. The latest episode gives you the opportunity to listen to the sound piece from the installation in full. All the activities are free but booking is necessary for some activities. Find out more about Nature Calling and the other projects around the country that are taking part at naturecalling.org.uk

Those wanting to get involved in the project are encouraged to get in touch about volunteering opportunities by emailing volunteer@lancasterarts.org.

Nature Calling is a national programme of cultural activity with executive producers the National Landscapes Association and Activate Performing Arts, funded by Arts Council England and the Department for Environment, Farming and Rural Affairs (Defra).

Are You Lost? Will be open to the public in Gisburn Forest from 11am to 4pm Saturday 30 August and 11am-8pm on Sunday 31 August.

Notes to editors:

Press Enquiries: Jack Bond 01524 521963 jack@lancasterarts.org