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 26 May
BUGS AND BLOSSOMS – AFTER ROGER DEAKIN
Walnut Tree Farm
A guided walk around Mellis Common led by Brian Guthrie and Melinda Appleby, with readings from Deakin’s books, focusing on his observations on plants and insects. Includes visit to the moated garden of Walnut Tree Farm. Stop press: there’s a new book about the history and present life of Walnut Tree Farm. Read about it here.
Meet at Mellis Village Hall, IP23 8EB
10am-1pm
£6 (W&BA members £5)
Monday 27 May
BUGGY HILLS AND BLOOMING OUTNEY, BUNGAY
Photo: Nicholas Lingwood
Poet Nicholas Lingwood and writer Chris Reeve share readings that celebrate the local wildlife as they lead a 5-mile walk that circles the Waveney near Bungay, taking in Bath Hills and Outney Common.
Meet at Bigod’s Castle, Bungay, NR35 1AR
2-5pm
£6 (W&BA members £5)
Saturday 22 June
FLOWER FAIRIES IN BUNGAY
Cicely Mary Barker
A walk around Bungay’s historic sites inspired by the Flower Fairies books of Cicely Mary Barker. Historian and author Christopher Reeves will identify flowers featured in the books, read poems, and recount fairy folklore. Activities for children – fairy costumes welcome.
Meet at St Mary’s Church, Bungay NR35 1AX
11am-1pm
£6 (W&BA members £5)
Sunday 23 June
UNCOVERING DOGGERLAND – TIME SONG
Experience the landscape of Doggerland, the land mass which once joined Britain to Europe, with Adam Burrows (Natural England) and Simon Raven (beachcomber) on this 5-mile walk. Julia Blackburn’s recent book Time Song will be the starting point to help uncover this lost landscape. At 3pm Julia will be signing copies of her book at Southwold Books, 69 High Street, Southwold – details here.
(More Doggerland news here)
Meet at Wood Farm Barn, Locks Lane, Benacre NR34 7LJ
10am-2pm
£6 (W&BA members £5)
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)
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)
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)
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)
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)