18
Feb
Yorkshire writer releases new poem to celebrate Brimham Rocks
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The writer in residence at Brimham Rocks has released a new poem to celebrate the National Trust site.
Migrations of Stone is a poem inspired by the natural environment of the 340-million-year-old site.
Yorkshire-born poet Natalie Anastasia Davies was commissioned by Brimham Rocks and arts charity Word Up North to be the site’s writer in residence in July last year.
The position was created as part of a partnership between Word Up North, the National Trust and Brimham Rocks. It aims to offer visitors the opportunity to engage with the site in a different way than was previously available.
The poem aims to encapsulate what Brimham Rocks means to Ms Davies, alongside the staff, volunteers, and visitors on the site. It emphasises the importance of the site for nature, wildlife and history.
Ms Davies said:
It has been a dream to immerse myself in this unique landscape and capture Brimham in words. Forming Migrations of Stone and hosting creative workshops provided a valued and joyful opportunity to reflect on; the natural world, what it means to be human and our deeply held connection with place.
Attempting to capture Brimham's character in poetry verse, alongside the knowledge of the people who care for it, was a delicate but welcomed challenge. I hope that visitors and each person that offered inspiration, can see themselves reflected in the final piece.
Brimham Rocks and the surrounding heather moorland are sites of specific scientific interest. They are often used by geologists, naturalists, climbers, walkers and families.
Aimee Nicholson, programming and partnerships officer for National Trust Brimham Rocks, said:
It’s been fantastic to work alongside Word Up North and Natalie Anastasia Davies on this poetry commission for Brimham Rocks.
Natalie’s work Migrations of Stone draws on parallels between the personal experiences of visitors, staff and volunteers as well as the dynamic history and character of Brimham Rocks.
We hope Natalie’s work inspires visitors to immerse themselves in the nature and geology of Brimham Rocks and maybe even produce their own creative response.
Word Up North director Erica Morris said:
It has been a pleasure to work with the immensely talented Natalie Anastasia Davies and the dedicated team at Brimham Rocks, showcasing both the creative talent and the natural wonders that Yorkshire has to offer.
Since her appointment as Writer in Residence last summer, Natalie has immersed herself in the ecology, geology and social history of Brimham Rocks.
Migrations of Stone is her powerful poetic response that will resonate with anyone who’s ever walked among the dramatic rock formations and sweeping heather moorland at Brimham.
Visitors to the site will be able to pick up a copy of Migrations of Stone and see a video of the poem being performed by Ms Davies in the visitor centre from Tuesday February 25.
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