We are winding down at the end of a successful first project at the Sir John Barrow Cottage, and already talking to supporters, schools and artists in order to plan the next. So, here are some updates, and some comments from audiences, participants and supporters, leading with a review of Ellie's book from "Ulverston Now"...
‘Unique’ is an overused word, yet this individual work is like no other recently published local book. Although it is described as ‘An exploration of the stories and wildlife from Sir John Barrow cottage to the Irish Sea’, it is far from being a dry guide book.
Talented artist Ellie Chaney has over time closely observed wildlife in Dragley Beck, and produced striking illustrations of some its fauna, from microscopic protozoa to the grey heron. However, this is more than a collection of artwork, since Ellie brings together different historical and current strands to create a satisfying whole.
While Sir John Barrow sent expeditions to the far ends of the earth, she demonstrates that there is still so much to explore and discover on a smaller scale closer to home. Similarly, just as the vast frozen polar expanses probed by Sir John Barrow’s explorers are threatened now by climate change, she warns how much of the wildlife in our own little ecosystem is put at risk by our activities, from dredging to using insecticides.
She was also inspired by the often overlooked life of Sir John Barrow’s wife, Anna Maria nee Truter, born in South Africa and a painter of landscapes and flowers, and by the botanic illustrator Anna Atkins, born in 1799. Anna Atkins, regarded as the earliest woman photographer, used cyanotype images to illustrate a monumental ‘Manual of British Algae’. Cyanotype images are always blue, and this has informed the beautiful artwork of a book which deserves a nationwide audience
Clearly, there are still great results coming in. The Oss will walk again,and
In May we will feature in Radiophrenia the Glasgow based international Radio arts festival with
"Oss Night ; Short Rising," a 30 minute exploration of the night hours, the currents running through the Oss Ritual and other forays into the cold and dark.
We are really pleased to be included in Radiophrenia,so listen out for the finished version.
Running down this page is the storyboard for the Oss Night ritual...here is the animated version.
Thank you to everyone who took part in SJB3, to Green Lane Archaeology and our many valued supporters, to the venues we have worked in and the people and organisations who have met us for the first time, liked what they found and kept in touch. And to the young people we have worked with, Thank you for your skill, imagination, energy and enthusiasm.
Here are a few comments..
I dont know what this is, but I wish
there was more of it. It's brilliant.
Oss Night attendee
Was it performance art, mischief,
Tradition in the making or had I inadvertently walked into an unusual annual ritual??? Possibly all of the above. A creation drawing from Tradition and ritual brought mystery and unreality an enormous ‘Oss, a cymbal for a symbol, a ritual involving some of the bemused audience. What was it? Still thinking and hoping it shows up again next year or who knows what might happen.
Online Oss Night observer.
I have been involved with John Hall on a number of projects over the years and have always enjoyed John’s ability to educate me on a variety of art forms.
I attended another of John’s community events in late December 2018, called “Oss night – short rising”. It was a well-attended event particularly considering it was a cold, dark and wet winter evening.
For this event to be successful it required; forward planning, music, material construction of a 15 feet tall “oss”, dance, (cavorting by the Oss), community involvement and film. The event was a great success because John Hall managed to obtain all the ingredients while at the same time providing the local community with an evening of good clean fun, enjoyed by children and adults alike!
Oss Night attendee
From workshop attendees and visitors to open door sessions..
"Had
a wonderful couple of hours learning to use lino cutting tools & prInting the results.Ellie and John were so helpful, patient and made me feel that I could really achieve something.
Such good fun and would definitely recommend coming down & experiencing their workshops. Looking forward to the next one."
"Lovely relaxing afternoon. Great to be given space to get back into drawing with no pressure."
"A very enjoyable time spent observing in the garden. Very tranquil."
"Fascinating. Definately taught me to look at plants in more detail."
Called in The John Barrow Cottage this morning to find John Kenneth Hall and Alex Blackmore beavering away at the
table... managed to persuade them to pose in another room next to one of Alex's creations, It's fantastic to see the cottage being put to good use at last,
Wonderful atmosphere and a real treasure trove of things...
Just a passing idea to visit today and so glad I did... just not what I expected, much much more.
Excellent project...a great resource for the town,
From our schools projects....
"This is a lovely reminder of a project with Year 3 pupils in Ulverston back in the summer. It culminated in them telling stories to a packed Supper Room in the Coronation Hall. fab experience for the young tellers and a lovely addition to the festival!
it was a lovely project and a real pleasure.
As i said, I’d love to work further with the children and be involved in second phase. Great idea." Dominic Kelly Commissioned Performance Storyteller.
Brilliant project and proud that Furness Traditions could be a small part of it.
Gordon Jones,Furness Traditions Festival.
"The children learnt several new skills which they would otherwise not have experienced.
The activities were suitable for all children and no one was left behind or found they were struggling to keep up.
There was no part of the project that the children did not enjoy. All were actively engaged and wanted to learn. I could not ask for more really.
School Staff, Sir John Barrow School
..Thank
you for your kind words and for your time – the kids LOVED doing
art and as we said at the end of the week, it was brilliant to see
them being given the freedom to express who they are and enjoy what
they do.
Hopefully
there’ll be another project as both of you have been welcomed into
the SJB family and I know that staff and pupils would love to work
with you both again.
School
Staff, Sir John Barrow School
Just
to say how much i enjoyed seeing the cottage today and I thought the
video (Oss Night) was great,
Keep
up the excellent work that you do SLDC Councillor
The
project gets better and better....Thank you for all that you do ..
SLDC Councillor
And some responses from readers of “Tiny Voyages Of Discovery”
Each of us has our own way of getting our nature conservation message across to others - be it delivering power point presentations, giving a community talk or leading a guided walk.
Ellie Chaney has chosen to convey her nature conservation message through a fabric of women, research, art and story, in the publication of a simply beautiful book called; “Tiny Voyages of Discovery”.
I love how Ellie chose a small river next to her office (Sir John Barrow’s birthplace) in which to undertake her research as it is an area that many locals will know first-hand and therefore gain more enjoyment from reading such a book.
Ellie’s book, is a joy to read and the drawings are brilliant!
I find myself wishing that my simple guided walks or talks could have as much positive impact on my clients has Ellie’s book has had on me!
‘What
a delightful and inspiring book! I was particularly chuffed by the
early encounter with a caddis fly. ‘
‘an
outstanding little book’
Just
to say many thanks for the book, it arrived over the weekend and is a
lovely illustration and story of the beck. I’ve passed it round the
office and they all think it is fantastic too. So much so that Kath
who works on our Coniston and Crake project, said that if you were
interested there may be some opportunities as part of that project. (Jayne Wilkinson, South Cumbria RiversTrust)
We had a visit last
week from the Year 1 children of St Mary's at Dalton, who have been
learning about Sir John this term. Dan gave the children a tour if
the cottage and the garden, and they all did some great work in their
new sketchbooks. Ellie Chaney dropped in with a copy of her book,
which has lots of information about Sir John's wife the artist Ann
Truter.
