Make Your Way Wednesdays has got off to a wonderful start, with two guided walks in the Golden Valley bringing local residents together to explore the landscape through conversation, walking and creative activity.

In Peterchurch, participants joined artist Adrienne Craddock for a walk punctuated by quiet observation and drawing. Following routes mapped out and led by Sarah Price, the group moved through crop fields, along an ancient drovers way and on to the village’s secluded Celtic well. At stopping points along the route, Adrienne introduced simple drawing exercises using water soluble graphite and water, encouraging participants to respond directly to the textures, weather and atmosphere of the landscape around them. Despite a dramatic downpour towards the end of the walk, spirits stayed high and the sun returned as the group reached the churchyard. The morning finished with hot drinks and homemade quiche at The Hub.

The following week, Sarah and artist Jenny Cashmore led a walk through the quiet lanes, pastures and woodland edges of Rowlestone. Prepared with a selection of materials and prompts, Jenny invited participants to engage with the landscape in playful and intuitive ways. Early on, the group paused when they spotted a yellow dandelion and Jenny shared dandelion and burdock sweets from her bag, setting a convivial tone for the walk.

As the group walked and talked, they gathered plants that caught their attention, including huge dock leaves, grasses, vetch and clover. At a later stopping point, in a freshly mown clearing with benches, Jenny encouraged participants to create temporary forms and arrangements from their gathered materials. What emerged were sculptures, drawings and wearable objects made instinctively by each group member. One participant wrapped plants around her hand to create something resembling a woven gauntlet, delicate and carefully composed. Another participant arranged their chosen materials, all with reddish tones around the base of a tree. A felled tree trunk became a stage or a plinth.

All participants were new to the creative activities led by Jenny and Adrienne. Make Your Way Wednesdays encourage everyone, regardless of their artistic experience, to make and create in response to the landscape. The joy of these walks lies in trusting professionals to lead the way, both literally and creatively, and growing your own confidence in the process.

Make Your Way Wednesdays offers Golden Valley residents an opportunity to connect with the landscape and with one another through shared walking experiences and artist-led activities. Each walk opens up new ways of seeing, making and spending time together outdoors.

“I have always loved being outside in nature – beginning with my feral childhood in the countryside and since my own children have flown the nest, I have had more time to explore these wild places. My Monoprints are multi layered, painterly prints, using printing rollers, brushes and drawing with inks. I am moved to capture the energy of these places and celebrate their power and influence on our mood and wellbeing.”

Adrienne Craddock

If you would like to join this series of walks, head to the What’s On page. 

This series of events is part of Our Place Golden Valley, which is a Meadow Arts project. It is part of the Our Place Herefordshire programme funded by the National Lottery through Arts Council England, with match funding from Herefordshire Council and Hereford City Council.