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16
Jul 2024
National Trust appoints first writer in residence at Brimham Rocks
Following the 2023 commission by Poet Laureate Simon Armitage to write a poem inspired by Brimham Rocks, the National Trust has created the opportunity for a Yorkshire-based writer to build on this legacy.
Natalie Anastasia Davies will research and develop original work inspired by the natural environment of the rocks, which are owned and cared for by the National Trust.
She will create and run a series of workshops for aspiring nature writers and work with local schoolchildren in Summerbridge and Darley to help them express their own written responses to the site.
Yorkshire-born Ms Davies was successful in securing the position of writer in residence at Brimham Rocks, 2024. The post was created by the National Trust in partnership with West Yorkshire literature development organisation Word Up North.
The poet and facilitator is of Grenadian descent and her work explores themes of connection and memory, cultural identity, and the climate crisis.
She appreciates art which penetrates the heart of the matter and the heart of the listener. It is her vision to draw parallels between the personal and global experience, to provoke environmental change.
Ms Davies said:
As a writer and human being, I believe that connection with the natural world is integral to our sense of meaning and wellbeing. It is a rare thing in our bustling lives to have time in nature; to be, realise and create.
I feel privileged to be chosen as the first Brimham Rocks writer in residence and plan to fully embrace this opportunity. It’s such a pleasure to collaborate with the amazing team at the National Trust and Word Up North and I look forward to sharing this unique experience with communities and developing writers
Simon Armitage at Brimham Rocks
The residency will take place over four months from July to October 2024 and will culminate in a public event to share the work created through the programme.
Brimham Rocks and its heather moorland are both Sites of Special Scientific Interest and are a magnet for geologists, naturalists, climbers and walkers, as well as families.
Jen Taylor, visitor operations manager for National Trust Brimham Rocks, said:
The intention is for the writer in residence to get to know Brimham Rocks, the people who visit and to really engage with the place and the opportunity it presents to create a conversation about nature and climate. The workshops will provide participants with an opportunity to engage more deeply with the site, its ecology, geology and social history through creative writing workshops, walks and other associated activities
Erica Morris, director of Word Up North said:
This programme offers a writer from the Yorkshire and the Humber region a paid opportunity to develop their creative practice and offers visitors, local communities, young people and aspiring writers the chance to engage more deeply with Brimham Rocks.
We are thrilled to see the enormously talented Natalie Anastasia Davies appointed and look forward to seeing the playfulness she’ll bring to her work with both children and adults through her workshops and work with local schools.
The nature writing workshops are available to book via the Ilkley Literature Festival website here: https://www.ilkleyliteraturefestival.org.uk/whats-on
There are a limited number of free bursary places for each of the writing workshops. You can apply here: https://www.cognitoforms.com/IlkleyLiteratureFestival/WordUpNorth2024BursaryTickets
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