Inspired by Landscape
Why and how society values landscapes needs to be better captured, translated and fully
represented in decision-making. The public should have greater involvement in the
management, planning and protection of landscapes, so that as landscapes evolve they can
continue to exhibit the characteristics and functions that society values, and reinforce
connections between people, place and local identity.
All Landscapes Matter, Draft Policy for Consultation, Natural England, March 2009.
Today’s upland environment is a product of centuries of people’s interaction with nature. Its
outstanding landscapes are a major national asset, prized by people in and far beyond the
uplands as places of inspiration and enjoyment. However, the natural resources of the
uplands have been used beyond their limits, and today’s upland environment is an
impoverished version of what it could be. It is struggling to cope with the legacy of past
pressures (such as intensive livestock grazing, drainage, burning and air-pollution), which
weakens its capacity to deal with the accelerating pace of future change.
A vision for the upland environment in 2060, Natural England,2009.
There are innumerable watersheds the length and breadth of Britain. Every hill, every little bit
of higher ground acts as a divide for water, separating the drops and trickles which flow down
one side from those neighboring drops and trickles which make their way down the other.
Before long, however, these rivulets and streams are likely to join up and continue on their
way together.
There is however one watershed in England, the watershed, where this doesn’t happen. This
is the line of high ground (and sometimes, more surprisingly, much lower ground) which
separates water which is making its way westwards to the Irish Sea and the Atlantic from that
heading in exactly the opposite direction to end up in the North Sea. A few yards, perhaps a
few feet or – in theory – even a few inches, can be all that it takes. hen it comes to the map of
England and its river systems, this is the divide that really matters.
Andrew Bibby, Backbone of England, 2008
The Watershed Landscape, because of its resource rich-geology, stands square on that
watershed in history – the industrial revolution. It bears the marks of it too. These moors took
the brunt of the heavy 19th and early 20th century pollution and that legacy lasts - not only on
buildings, many of which have now been cleaned, but also on the vegetation and wildlife. This
was the first major hammer-blow on these fragile habitats. The plants, birds and other wildlife
are tough enough to stand the wild conditions here but have been hit hard by pollution, overgrazing, accidental fires and erosion. This project marks the time to put back, and repair the
damage so that future generations can start to take more sustainably from these hills. If we
look further back in time there’s another watershed in history. It’s harder to see; we have to go
back five thousand years to the Neolithic, before this was moorland. The present open
landscape of grass, rush and heather was itself formed then by the first farmers who cut down
many of the trees that grew here. This, combined with a shift in climate, exhausted the soils
and the farmers had to move on leaving the landscape that would become moorland. The
stories of these people who formed the moors are hard to find but their marks remain in the
cup and ring carvings they left in the landscape they abandoned.
Watershed Landscape Interpretation Plan, TellTale Associates, 2009
Inspired by Landscape
The Watershed Landscape Project 2010 - 2013
A call for Expressions of Interest from Artists and Writers to create their own work
as a response to the landscape.
Pennine Prospects/ Bradford Metropolitan District Council
Over the past centuries, both writers and artists have found the unique sense of
place that is generated by the South Pennine moorlands to be a rich source of
inspiration. ‘Inspired by Landscape’ is a programme of residencies and supporting
activities to celebrate this long tradition, and to bring the wealth of creative activity
associated with the uplands to the attention of a wider audience.
The programme will also provide a means of engaging a range of other audiences;
those less able to access the uplands, or less familiar with them, or lacking
confidence to venture into the countryside. The creative arts offer a way of
introducing new audiences to the landscape, helping them to appreciate and
understand the landscape, and giving them the confidence to make their own visits.
Aims:
To engage new audiences in understanding and enjoying the landscape
through creative activity
To strengthen the cultural traditions of creative writing and visual arts of the
area
To extend understanding of the significance and value of the moorlands
Objectives:
To support/encourage skilled artists and writers who draw upon the upland
landscape for inspiration to develop their own creative work
For these artists and writers to lead workshops, thus helping participants to
develop their own creative approaches using the landscape as their
inspirational source
To engage new audiences in creative activity, as a means of introducing them
to the special qualities of the upland landscape and improving their
understanding of the significance of the moorlands for society
To share this work in exhibitions of artwork, publications and readings /
performances based on themes from the landscape for the enjoyment of the
wider public
We are inviting artists and writers to submit an expression of interest to take
part in this programme which will outline a specific proposal and make
reference to previous experience. From this initial approach the Inspired by
Landscape Working Group will seek to award six individual
residencies/commissions
over
the
coming
three
years.
Residencies/commissions could involve painting, drawing, printmaking,
environmental art, digital technology, sound sculpture and sculpture, poets,
authors or playwrights.
It is anticipated that each artist will work for a period of around 40 days [ over a
three month period, with a base or studio base in a particular venue in the
area- see below].
Introduction
Pennine Prospects have submitted the stage two bid for Heritage Lottery funding to
implement a Landscape Partnership Programme for the South Pennines - the
Watershed Landscape Project.
With a target start date of April 2010, the Watershed Landscape Project would run for
three years. The Inspired by Landscape theme is one of six themes within the
Project. The full Watershed Landscape Project is available to download from the
Pennine Prospects website [ Watershed Landscape page]. Project proposals
describe projects that we are currently refining and developing. Separate Audience
Development, Interpretation and Community Engagement Plans were also
commissioned in support of the bid and are available from the website.
Background
The Project links a series of [interconnected] heritage, cultural and natural
environment project proposals across the South Pennines.
Project ‘highlights’ include
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Mapping and interpreting the unique Bronze Age landscape of Rombalds
Moor (including the nationally important ‘cup and ring’ stones) – Manor House
Museum, Ilkley.
Peat restoration projects on land owned by United Utilities and Yorkshire
Water. (Peat restoration is seen as an important in the battle to reduce the
effects of climate change).
Access improvements at various locations (reservoirs: Scammonden, Gorple,
Castleshaw) within the South Pennines.
Working with a variety of groups including West Yorkshire Geological Trust;
Todmorden Moor Trust; Northern Mines Group; RSPB volunteers to map and
archive various sites within the South Pennines.
Twite Recovery Programme: seek to arrest critical decline of the Twite [
known locally as the Pennine Finch because of its breeding areas limited to
the South Pennines].
The appointment of a Community Archaeologist for the Watershed
Landscape Pennines to survey, research and work closely with the
Interpretation Officer on communicating the value of the heritage of the
Watershed Landscape.
Partners currently working with Pennine Prospects on the Watershed Landscape
programme include1:
 Yorkshire Water
 United Utilities
 Rochdale Council
 Oldham Council
 Forest of Burnley Project
 RSPB
 Calderdale MBC
 Kirklees MBC (Countryside, Rights of Way)
 Bradford MBC (Museums Service, Countryside, Regeneration)
 Natural England
 Groundwork
 National Trust
 Renaissance Yorkshire
Many of the Partners are delivering physical works within the Project Area these
include local authorities and the Utility Companies. It may be that you will be working
with one of these Partners as a result of this commission.
Themes:
There are a number of underlying themes underpinning the Watershed Landscape
Project.
Historic context : The archaeology and history of the uplands represented by the
unique bronze age and archaeological remains on Ilkley Moor; the mining history of
the watershed landscape [ represented by the mining remains at Todmorden and
Baildon Moors] 2
Contemporary context: The value to modern society with regard to water supply
and ‘ecological system services’ of the uplands3
Interpretation: Telling the Story of the Watershed Landscape – whether this is the
story of how the landscape was formed [ and our work with west Yorkshire Geology
Trust] ; communication across the Landscape [ the packhorse trails and bridges] or
the history of mining in the Uplands.
‘Gateways’ to the wider Watershed Landscape and routes [ such as the Countryside
Centres at Bracken Hall, Hollingworth Lake, Brownhill Countryside Centre] which act
as links to the Watershed Landscape.
11
We would expect the artist to work with partner organisations [ above] where this would add
value to an existing project. However we need to be mindful of the limited time individual
partner officers have and would be grateful if in the first instance communication is through
Robin Gray at Pennine Prospects.
2
Note: the nationally important rock art [ note: similar projects http://archaeologydataservice.ac.uk/era/ ].
3
Note: similar project ‘Peatscapes’ in North Pennines or Moors for the Future in the Peak District.
Who will be involved
The artists/writers will be selected by the Inspired by Landscape Working Group in
collaboration with the host venue and appointed by Bradford Metropolitan District
Council on behalf of the Watershed Landscape Partnership.
The following contacts are managing this programme
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Robin Gray – the wider project, sites and partners
robin.gray@pennineprospects.co.uk
Sonja Kielty – contact with artists Sonja.keilty@bradford.gov.uk
Janet Davidson – contact with writers Janet.Davidson@bradford.gov.uk
Claire Ackroyd – liason with venues and education
Claire.ackyrod@bradford.gov.uk
An Inspired by Landscape Working Group has been set up to advise which will
include community representation as well as representation from Groundwork.
Groundwork are running a programme of community engagement and will help to
support this Project; in particular, seeking to engage audiences without prior
experience of the Watershed Landscape.
Inspired by Landscape will be launched at the opening of the exhibition ‘Another
View’ at Cliffe Castle Museum, Keighley on 27 March 2009 ; where it is hoped that
an announcement will be made about the artists and writers selected as well as a
Open photographic exhibition for 2011. [ another element of this theme].
Venues and Partner Organisations
Discussions have taken place with the venues and organisations [ below]. We
expect each artist and writer to develop a mutually beneficial relationship with the
selected venue which will actively seeks out and support the involvement of new
audiences. You may wish to suggest in your submission the audiences that you
would like to engage with and please acknowledge discussions you have had with
potential venues.
In your submission you might want to suggest your preferred venue.
We have made active approaches to the following venues who are keen to
participate in Year One :

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Bronte Parsonage [ www.bronte.org.uk]
Bracken Hall Countryside Centre, [ www.bradfordmuseums.org]
We have also made initial approaches to other organisations who are considering a
response :
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Elmet Trust, [ www.theelmettrust.co.uk]
Saddleworth Museum [ www.saddlewortmuseum.co.uk]
Hollingworth Lake Visitor Centre or Touchstones Gallery [
www.rochdale.gov.uk]
Hebden Bridge [ discussions with Northlight Studios
www.northlightstudio.co.uk]

Mid Pennine Artists [ www.midpenninearts.org.uk]
It is anticipated that participants for the workshops will be recruited by the host venue
with support from Pennine Prospects and Groundwork [ ie it would not be the
responsibility of the artist or writer to recruit participants]. Numbers of participants to
be agreed between the host and artist.
Your responsibilities:
Health and safety issues are important when working with groups. Although it is not
intended that you would run a workshop entirely alone there are times when you are
responsible for the group. To this end we would need evidence of a recent CRB
check and you would need to initiate and assist in the preparation of risk
assessments based on venues and sites [ experience strongly desirable].
You need to supply us with evidence that you have adequate public liability insurance
and that have addressed national insurance and income tax issues [ see contract ].
It is intended that the host, the artist and Bradford Metropolitan District Council enter
into an agreement to ensure that roles and responsibilities are clearly understood.
Outputs and outcomes
We expect each artist and writer to spend around 40 days on their residency, of
which about 12 days will be spent working with new audiences, running workshops or
short courses.
Consideration will need to be given to how the outputs from the community work will
be displayed or otherwise made available to wider audiences.
The selected artists and writers are expected to develop their own creative work in
response to some aspect of the landscape, and to present / produce that work in a
way that will make it available to wider audiences. The host venue may provide a
suitable exhibition location.
Budget
The artist / writer will receive a fee of £8000. This will need to cover costs of travel to
and within the area as well as studio space .
A supporting budget of £1,600 per residency is available for ancillary materials for
both the artist’s creative work, for the workshops, and for presenting and displaying
the final material [ to be paid to either the host or artist on production of valid
receipts].
Additional budgets exist in the Programme and will be co-ordinated by the host [
gallery or venue ] and Bradford Metropolitan District Council.
Assessment Criteria
Your application will be judged according to:
 the quality and vision of your creative ideas
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evidence of your work that shows conceptual strength and creative ideas
evidence that your work is presented to a high professional standard
Relevance to the area and fit with project aims
relevant experience
your interest in the project and how it will make a positive contribution to the
development of your own artwork
2 supporting references .
Your submission
Please send us a short statement (no more than 2 sides of A4) telling us why you are
interested in this opportunity, what you think you can bring to it, and the ideas that
you are interested in pursuing.
Previous experience : Please also tell us about your experience ; particularly if
your work has addressed any of the following themes
* Working with community groups would be desirable
* Working in the natural environment
* Working on heritage themes [ for example, exploring archaeology].
* Working with other professionals
Your work: In addition to the statement please send a selection of images of your
work that clearly convey the ideas that you work with, the media that you use and the
quality of execution of your work.
Deliverability and practicality: The nature of Lottery- funding requires working to
deadlines and budgets. The time allowed within the commission is not overgenerous. We are looking for artists and writers who are used to working with limited
budgets and to deadlines.
Physical pieces of work
We are interested in novel approaches, ideas and practices that will explore or
convey the essence of the Watershed Landscape experience. The commission may
lead to exhibitions or to temporary installations within the Watershed Landscape.
Further funding might be needed should it be agreed that a permanent outdoor piece
of work is created. We are interested in both applications that work in traditional
visual arts media and in different forms such as digital and light.
Copyright
The design and copyright of the work shall remain with the Artist during and after
completion. BMDC reserves a non-exclusive, irrevocable right to reproduce, use and
copy the work for any promotional purpose and will acknowledge The Artist where
appropriate.
It is intended to use images within publicity material including leaflets, newsletters
and exhibition boards to promote the Watershed Landscape.
References:
Please supply two references;
Closing date
Please send your submission by Friday 23rd April 12am
This work will go to our Working Group, if you are successful at this stage you will be
asked to an interview with this panel which will include artists/ writers and
community representation.
Provisional dates:
Writers Interview day Friday 14th May 2010
Artists Interview day Friday 21st May 2010
Any decision will be subject to a decision on funding expected in March 2010.
What hand in address do you want
Robin Gray
Project Officer
South Pennine Watershed Landscape Programme
4th Floor
Jacobs Well
Manchester Road
Bradford
BD1 5RW
01274 431259
07775 41921
Alternatively; this can be emailed to
Robin.gray@pennineprospects.co.uk
Note: Only submissions up to 2 MB will get through – use web transfer as an
alternative.