Download our “Hints and tips” guide on promoting your event here, then head over to our events submission page to submit your event!

« All Events

  • This event has passed.

Creative Walk in Nature Soudley Ponds

October 20 @ 10:45 am – 1:45 pm

Join us for an inspiring creative walk in nature at Lower Soudley Pond using the Active Travel Map Join Canopy sponsored artists Sara Rickard and Roger Drury for this Creative Walk in Nature Soudley Ponds is a series of man-made ponds running along a secluded valley. It is a haven for wildlife and is designated as a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI). The wetland habitat is home to lots of different plants, birds and insects. Enjoy short, gentle strolls through the Forest this autumn, pausing to reflect, engage your senses, and enjoy fresh air. Our artist-led walks include poetry, storytelling, sketching, and creative activities using illustrated maps to spot seasonal wildlife — all in a fun, relaxed, and supportive group. These walks follow short, gentle routes, perfect for those wishing to be inspired by the beauty of the Forest in autumn. Along the way, we’ll pause to reflect, engage our senses, and breathe in the fresh air while exploring creative opportunities. Participants will be introduced to poetry, storytelling, and a wide range of art materials to ‘have a go’ with in a supportive group. Our artist leaders will demonstrate approaches to sketching, mark-making, and recording nature. Using our illustrated maps, we’ll see if we can spot any of the insects, birds, flora, or fauna shown. The atmosphere will be fun, relaxed, social, exciting, and creative. This is a short, relatively flat route of 1 mile which takes in the lower of Soudley Ponds and we will go to Dean Heritage Centre Cafe at the end. Start Point: Park & Meet at Dean Heritage Centre Contact Number on the day: 07727639447 Cost: Suggested donation of £5+ towards materials. Bookings close at 4.30pm the day before the event. Walk Level: Easy, flat with benches to pause. We aim to walk around the entire pond which is approximately a mile. What to wear: Participants should dress appropriately for the weather on the day and wear sturdy boots or walking boots/shoes, a waterproof/warm jacket and layers to keep warm. What to bring: Snacks, drinks. Notebooks and art materials will be provided but if participants wish to bring any of their own that’s fine. Try to be as ‘hands free’ as possible. Dogs: Well behaved dogs on leads are welcome, but please note we are often close to wildlife and it’s ideal if you can be as hands free as possible. Your Canopy Leader: Sara Rickard has lived in the FoD for over 20 years, is a textile artist and educator and a member of the Canopy steering committee. A member of farOpen and the Embroiderers’ Guild Sara’s own work focusses on stitch, both by hand and machine and is greatly inspired by the beauty of the forest. www.sarajoyrickard.com Your Canopy leader: Roger Drury is a community arts worker and a member of the Canopy steering committee. Based and working in The Forest of Dean and environs since 1986. He develops creative activity, engaging with communities, working with all ages and abilities. Projects have included setting up Coleford Festival of Words, Forest of Dean Community Radio, Incomplete Histories, Oh Crumbs spoken word live events, Last Thursday live performances and Glos Writers Network. He is a writer/performer member of Custard Ceili Band & the Pukes. About the Creative Walks programme: Canopy Creative Walks nurture connection, creative thinking and mental wellbeing through a combination of time outdoors, gentle exercise and social interaction. They are open to everyone. The routes are relatively short, the emphasis being on the journey taken rather than the destination. They follow a process of looking, listening, responding individually and collectively and sharing time together. Each walk is carefully researched, uniquely designed and guided by the leader/artist. Participants are encouraged to stop to observe, record, photograph, listen or consider a particular feature. Numerous approaches are offered to enable individuals to make a personal response visually or in words. The aim is to demonstrate various creative starting points which can be developed by participants later. At the end of the walk we share work, ideas and a coffee/sandwich at a nearby café for anyone interested in joining. Find out more about Canopy: https://canopynetwork.co.uk/

Details

Organizer

Dean Heritage Centre

Camp Mill
Soudley, GL14 2UB + Google Map
01594 822170​

Related Events