An interactive poetry map created for
South Molton Community Woodland
The Courage Copse Creatives project was part of Arts Destination South Molton’s first Deep Roots Festival, and was held over the summer and autumn of 2021
Courage Copse Creatives CIC invited a wide section of the community to be involved in this project by asking them to write poems about Ash Trees. Fifty-six submitted poems highlighted Ash Trees, the memories they stirred, their myths and folklore, practical uses, their place in the landscape and the significant impact Ash Die-back is starting to have on our countryside.
Amongst the many people and groups taking part, South Molton Community Primary pupils and Eastleigh Care Home residents worked together, creating a pen-pal system of communicating as lockdown meant no visiting was allowed!
The poems were read aloud in the South Molton Community Woodland by Katy Lee, of Courage Copse Creatives, and these readings/performances were filmed by Jessica Pearson of Shimnix Films, with music composed and played by David Smale.
The twenty films created can be viewed here.
Special walks and poetry performances were organised in the South Molton Community Woodland giving rise to interactive chat and knowledge sharing from attendees.
Twenty of the poems have been published in a beautiful book, ‘Ode to the Ash Tree Poetry Project’ which launched during our Deep Roots Festival September weekend. Copies are available from Courage Copse Creatives.
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The Ode to the Ash Tree Poetry Project was kindly sponsored by Arts Council England and match funded by the charity, Arts Destination South Molton, as part of their Deep Roots Festival programme of events. |
