Welcome to the Bear Hunting and Other Ways to Walk programme in which we use artists who are inspired by walking to create works that inspire more of us to walk!

 

In the Summer programme we have worked with three artists to make new, original works inspired by local footpaths. Bess Martin is attempting to explore as many of the 700 miles of footpaths in Kirklees as humanly possible, hiding golden bears along the way for you to find. Sorrel Muggridge has created a walk for families of all ages and abilities in Through the grass and beyond the trees - which encourages walkers to use their imaginations using a set of playfully incomplete and poetic directions. Musician and Composer, Alexander Douglas has created a new piece of music inspired by the history and architecture of Longwood (Lang Wudu in old English) which will be performed at St Marks Church Longwood with a walk up to Nab End tower and a chance to meet the artist himself.

 

In the Autumn programme we have invited three more artists to make new, original works inspired by local footpaths. Bess Martin is continuing to explore as many of the 700 miles of footpaths in Kirklees as humanly possible, hiding golden bears along the way for you to find – much to the enjoyment of the treasure seekers who took part in The Golden Bear Hunt during the summer. Sarah Hymas has written about a future where a huge rise in sea levels is effecting the Colne Valley. Join Sarah to retrace the steps of those who escaped up the hills in Colne Rising. Home grown company pa-BOOM, known internationally for their extraordinary events with fire and light, will transform one of Meltham’s hidden beauty spots into a magical twilight experience in The Secret Fire Garden.

 

And that’s just the new artists’ commissions! In this programme there are lots of other events on the theme of walking, from artists, storytellers, herbal experts and environmentalists as well as the fringe events which you can find from the menu above.