Each year volunteers from Waveney & Blyth Arts organise a programme of short guided walks that each highlight a particular part of our patch and celebrate connections with creative people from the past or present day – or provide an opportunity to be creative ‘en route’.
The extraordinary creative richness of this area is reflected in the fact that since 2011 over seventy unique walks have taken place – each one focused on different creative connections. Here are this year’s offering.
As places on these walks are limited it is advisable to book in advance by emailing [email protected]. Under 18s are free but please book required places. Further information about access and practical arrangements available, too.
Sunday 7 July
MINI-BEAST FUN FOR THE FAMILY
Find your own real life bugs on Broome Heath, near Ditchingham, and then make a mini-beast from natural materials, plus tea, biscuits and lots of free making activities afterwards – fun for all the family.
Supported by Norfolk Wildlife Trust and Heritage Lottery Fund.
Meet beside Ditchingham Village Hall, Loddon Road, Ditchingham NR35 2QN
2.30-4pm
Free/no booking
Sunday 14 July
REDGRAVE & LOPHAM FEN – A SOURCE OF INSPIRATION
Photo: Nicholas Lingwood
Poet Nicholas Lingwood will read poems inspired by the abundant local wildlife including dragonflies, butterflies, marsh harriers and more, as he leads this 3.5 mile walk around Redgrave and Lopham Fen reserve.
Meet at Redgrave & Lopham Fen, South Lopham, Diss IP22 2HX
2-4pm
£6 (W&BA members £5) To book places email [email protected] and pay via bank transfer to Waveney & Blyth Arts, sort code 401918, account number 71561014, or send a cheque to W&BA c/o 65 London Road, Harleston IP20 9BN with relevant details.
Thursday 25 July
IMAGINING THE BLYTH VALLEY TRAIL
Walk to Halesworth (7½ miles) along the route of a proposed heritage trail, in the company of Simon Raven and local ‘experts’. Contribute your thoughts on what ought to be included in a trail leaflet covering history, heritage and ecology. Return by bus.
Meet at Blythburgh Church Car Park, Church Lane, Blythburgh IP19 9LP
10am-4pm
£6 (W&BA members £5) To book places email [email protected] and pay via bank transfer to Waveney & Blyth Arts, sort code 401918, account number 71561014, or send a cheque to W&BA c/o 65 London Road, Harleston IP20 9BN with relevant details.
Friday 6 September
NATURE & HERITAGE SKETCHING WALK AT BURGH CASTLE
Join artist Genevieve Rudd and a Broads Authority ecologist and historian to explore the churchyard of the Saxon church at Burgh Castle. Guided sketching inspired by the wild flora. All materials provided, no experience needed.
Meet at Burgh Castle car park, Butt Lane, Burgh Castle NR31 9QG
10am-12pm
£7 (W&BA members £6) To book places email [email protected] and pay via bank transfer to Waveney & Blyth Arts, sort code 401918, account number 71561014, or send a cheque to W&BA c/o 65 London Road, Harleston IP20 9BN with relevant details.
Wednesday 11 September
WALBERSWICK SKETCHBOOK AND WILDLIFE WALK
A walk into the woods and fen landscape of Walberswick Nature Reserve with Kasia Posen (artist) and Adam Burrows (Natural England). Find out about this intriguing habitat while sketching the fantastic environment.
Meet at Lodge Road, Walberswick
10am-2pm
£7 (W&BA members £6) To book places email [email protected] and pay via bank transfer to Waveney & Blyth Arts, sort code 401918, account number 71561014, or send a cheque to W&BA c/o 65 London Road, Harleston IP20 9BN with relevant details.
Sunday 15 September
HOXNE – IN THE FOOTSTEPS OF ST EDMUND
Neil Bolton
Hoxne, well known as the site of the martyrdom of St Edmund, has many other stories to tell including 400,000 year old archaeological finds, a spectacular Roman hoard and a picturesque village trail including a water mill . Join Kaaren Whitney, Suffolk poet, and Netta Swallow on a meander along tracks and through the village between the Rivers Dove and Waveney. Listen to Kaaren’s evocative poem “Balance” about the art of thatching.
Meet at St Edmunds village hall, Hoxne, Eye IP21 5AN
2-5pm
£7 (W&BA members £6) To book places email [email protected] and pay via bank transfer to Waveney & Blyth Arts, sort code 401918, account number 71561014, or send a cheque to W&BA c/o 65 London Road, Harleston IP20 9BN with relevant details.