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A Series of podcasts made with young people, farmers, ecologists, engagement officers, trainees and a poet. North Pennines, UK. 04-07/2024

Introduction
Calling The Curlew (2024) took place in meadows and rush pastures near Baldersdale in the North Pennines National Landscape. It involved collaborating with a poet and engagement officer to inspire groups of local young people to creatively produce field recordings of breeding waders and the dawn chorus, create original poetry, create lively interviews with local farmers & partner organisations and produce podcasts. An innovative approach was developed called “Owl Ears”, which activated the young people’s curiosity through listening to the breeding waders with field recording equipment. The farmer, ecologist, environmentalist, and landowner interviews have given me some understanding of the issues they face. Upon reflection a provocation in the form of a sound art installation “Museum of Portable Meadows“ was developed. This was exhibited at Meadows Day ‘24, Low Way Farm, which generated emotive interviews with audiences.

Colllaborators
Kerryanne Higgens, Engagement Officer with Tees-Swale Naturally Connected, North Pennines National Landscape.

Ben Holden, North East poet who lives at the edge of the woods in the Derwent valley, Gateshead
https://www.benpholden.com/

Interviewees
Thank you to the people who have been interviewed as part of this project.
So far interviews have taken place with:
Janet Fairclough, RSPB
Adam Millington, NPNL
Paul Johnson, Farmer, Herdship Farm
Charlie and Gina Parker, Farmer, HIll Gill Farm
Dr. Margaret E. Bradshaw, MBE, Botanist, Ecologist and Conservationist

Project Update – 29th June 2024
All interview edits are complete, several more voice overs need to be recorded – to take place on Tues 30th June 2024. Then the podcasts will go live on the North Pennines website https://northpennines.org.uk/