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Land of the Churnet
The Land of the Churnet
focuses on Haregate, encouraging work between the generations.
It particularly wants to involve older people, the
unemployed and youngsters, showing how much they can achieve
by working together.
The
River Churnet rises below the Roaches near the Winking Man pub
and flows through Tittesworth Reservoir, past Tessenderlo at
Bridge End and through Cheddleton.
It merges with the
Caldon
Canal
at Consall and flows through Froghall and Oakamoor and south
of
Alton
Towers
, before eventually joining the Dove just south of Rocester.
Its
history (for example Leek’s silk industry and the building
of Tittesworth reservoir), folklore, landscape and wildlife
has given us lots of ideas.
We have walked into the valley to see it change with the
seasons and have had mini-bus visits to places of interest such as
Tittesworth Reservoir.
This
has prompted memories and ideas and, with the support of
professional artists, got people involved in all sorts of
creative activities including art, music, dance, drama,
writing, story-telling, textiles, ceramics and photography.
There has been something for everyone, even people who
don’t think they’re ‘artistic’.
The
Land of the Churnet was
keen to work with as many local groups as possible, from the
Haregate Neighbourhood Partnership to the Tittesworth Rangers;
St Paul’s Church to the schools; the over 50’s Gentle Keep
Fit Club to the Children’s Centre; the Stroke Club to the
Youth Club.
Existing
mental health service users involved with BV, who have all
lacked confidence in the past, have also taken part in The
Land of the Churnet.
We hope that these two strands – interesting,
creative activities linked to the local area and positive role
models - encouraged people to get involved.
As
the project gathered momentum, we took part in local
events such as the Haregate Gala, Art in the Park and the
Strawberry Moon Fayre, before rounding off the project with
our participation in Charles Monkhouse's Night Stations
Project and a grand Land of the Churnet Lantern
Parade will take place on the estate on 23rd October 2009.
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