 |
Home
Fran Walker - My LHI Story
Fascinating facts about Somerset's Willow
Kate Lynch - my LHI story
Willow - exhibition of paintings & drawings
Willow - Kate Lynch's Book
from Thatch magazine
|
|
|
|
Fran Walker - My LHI Story
Location: Somerset
Fran Walker is the Project Officer for the Levels and Moors Partnership (known locally as LAMP), a partnership of 86 Parish Councils and Communities working with District Councils and Agencies whose work affects the Levels and Moors. When the local communities asked LAMP to co-ordinate and host the Celebrating Somerset's Willow project, Fran took on the role of Co-ordinator & Treasurer.
This project started because of a local artist, Kate Lynch, who was very enthused by the willow workers and was out on the moors painting them. Kate chatted with the people and got to know them, and the LHI project grew from that.
Art has been a major part of the project. We've held eight workshops in local schools, mostly primary, using locally-produced artist's charcoal to draw traditional basket-makers at work. These were exhibited at the Willows and Wetlands Visitor Centre in Stoke St Gregory, the heart of the willow growing area. The children also had a go at willow sculpture, producing pigs, people and horses that were shown at two Village Willow Days. We're hoping to make Willow Weekends an annual event.
For me, the best part of the project has been bringing together people from the same industry, some of whom hadn't met professionally for over 30 years - quite an achievement! Everyone involved has been able to make lots of new working relationships and contacts in the area.
The LHI has helped to provide a catalyst for what had become a fragmented industry to start working together more in the future. Celebrating Somerset's Willow has also generated ideas for future projects for the communities of the Levels and Moors to be involved in.
I've found the LHI scheme one of the most user friendly grants available, and it offers lots of scope for the imagination too.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
