Children from Calstock Primary School choosing to make the shape of the letters River Tamar and Tamara so a drone above them can capture what their river is called. Riverscape: Tamara Heritage-led Stories Part of the Tamara Landscape Partnership scheme, funded by the National Lottery Heritage Fund. Photograph: Andy Hughes
South Side/North Side: Tamara Riverscape
A heritage project focused on the River Tamar within The Tamar Valley National Landscape (a designated Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty) . The goal of the project is to co-produce stories about the river by involving young people, and capturing their feelings and perceptions through arts-led workshops and pop-up heritage displays.
Children from Calstock Primary School racing rafts they've made out of material found by the side of the river. Riverscape: Tamara Heritage-led Stories Part of the Tamara Landscape Partnership scheme, funded by the National Lottery Heritage Fund. Photograph: Andy Hughes
What is your wish for the river or is it secret?
Love
I wish for the river to be clean
To bring more wildlife
For no more rivers to be dead
No more sewage
For it to be bluer
More wildlife
Young people from Calstock Primary School crafted rafts with sails and adorned them with words representing their hopes, dreams, and aspirations for the river. As the sails caught the gusts of wind and the rafts set off towards Plymouth, the students embarked on a voyage that transcended the mere physical day of the workshop. This was a journey – a moment of self-discovery, resilience, and growth, mirroring the winding course of the river itself.
Tavistock Youth Cafe making and sharing Coatscapes and Riverscapes in Buckland Abbey for Riverscape: Tamara Heritage-led Stories. Part of the Tamara Landscape Partnership scheme, funded by the National Lottery Heritage Fund. Photograph: Andy Hughes.
In a second workshop Tavistock Youth Cafe engaged in a rich exploration of local history and culture through the lens of Francis Drake and his connections to Buckland Abbey and the surrounding area. By delving into stories, feelings, and imagery inspired by their workshop experience, they are poised to deepen their understanding so they can critique Drake’s legacy.
The facilitators will provide guidance and support as the young people navigate the process of publishing and exhibiting their work. The inclusion of informal meetings, train journeys, workshops, and one-to-one support reflects a holistic approach to learning and co-development. The project will ensure participants have varied opportunities to engage with the material and receive personalised assistance as needed.
Two children from Calstock Primary School telling each other stories about objects that mean something to them whilst on Cotehele Quay, Cornwall. Tamara Heritage-led Stories Part of the Tamara Landscape Partnership scheme, funded by the National Lottery Heritage Fund. Photograph: Andy Hughes
The culmination of ‘South Side/North Side: Tamara Riverscape’ will be a performance installation in the form of a travelling exhibition, which is an innovative and immersive way to exhibit the stories and insights gathered throughout the project. This mobile exhibition will allow a wider audience to experience and connect with the project’s outcomes and will connect to the train, which travels along the Tamar Valley, capturing the attention and curiosity of both locals and visitors.
Children from Calstock Primary School exploring the lime kilns at Cotehele Quay. Riverscape: Tamara Heritage-led Stories Part of the Tamara Landscape Partnership scheme, funded by the National Lottery Heritage Fund. Photograph: Andy Hughes
The project has already travelled the train and exhibited at the Tamar River Festival 2024 and at Calstock Heritage Weekend 2023, allowing the broader community (including family and friends) to appreciate the creativity and insights generated during the workshop. It created a synergy between the heritage project and the festivals, generating even more interest and participation from the community.
By combining art, heritage, and community involvement, the project aims to generate a rich tapestry of stories, emotions, and experiences related to the River Tamar. It will help to foster a sense of pride, awareness, and stewardship for this important natural resource, and contribute to the cultural fabric of The Tamar Valley National Landscape (a designated Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty) .
Facilitators and children interacting and improvising during a workshop with Calstock Primary School on Cotehele Quay. Riverscape: Tamara Heritage-led Stories Part of the Tamara Landscape Partnership scheme, funded by the National Lottery Heritage Fund. Photograph: Andy Hughes
As the coordinator of the project, I play a vital role in steering the team and facilitating co-production techniques. I am focussing on giving voice to both the creative facilitators and the participants to ensure a collaborative and inclusive approach.
The project began with the workshop involving Calstock CP School and continues to develop with them and Tavistock Youth Cafe. Engaging with schools and youth organisations is a key way to involve younger members of the community and instill a sense of connection to the heritage of the River Tamar.
Tavistock Youth Cafe making Francis Drake Coastscapes for the project - Riverscape: Tamara Heritage-led Stories. Part of the Tamara Landscape Partnership scheme, funded by the National Lottery Heritage Fund. Photograph: Andy Hughes. Art-lead Dominica Williamson
The project has been presented at a conference in Helsinki called ‘Heritage in Motion: Empowering Communities through Arts Landscape-Based Participatory Methods for Cultural Connection and Activism’.
The team are currently working to exhibit Tavistock Youth Cafe’s co-created work.
Tavistock Youth Cafe sharing their objects on an abstracted aerial map of the landscape for Riverscape: Tamara Heritage-led Stories. Part of the Tamara Landscape Partnership scheme, funded by the National Lottery Heritage Fund. Photograph: Andy Hughes. Art-lead Dominica Williamson
Expanding and taking Tavistock Youth Cafe’s co-created work to different sites, both indoors and outdoors, as well as incorporating the train journey into the experience, will further engage with the landscape and its natural and cultural heritage. By utilising various locations, we will add depth and richness to the exhibition but also create opportunities for visitors to connect more deeply with the content in a dynamic and immersive way.
Exploring different sites will potentially enhance visitors’ understanding and appreciation of the connections between the artwork and the local environment.
A zine from the first workshop with Calstock Primary School
Project delivery is for the Tamara Landscape Partnership scheme, funded by the National Lottery Heritage Fund.
Gary Lewis, Tamara Landscape Partnership Senior Heritage Officer
Dr John Martin, University of Plymouth
Dominica Williamson, artist and designer
Donna Kilpin, Calstock CP School
Vicki Lloyd-Walsh & team, Tavistock Youth Café
Andy Hughes, artist and photographer
Dr Rosie Langridge, University of Plymouth
Dave Everitt, film-maker
Harry Sutherland, drone film-maker
Nick Brennan, Cartoonist
Rebekah Mason, National Trust, Cotehele
Laura De’ath, National Trust, Buckland Abbey
Rebecca Catterall, Devon & Cornwall Rail Partnership
Calstock Heritage Weekend 2023
In terms of Ofsted feedback about our Cotehele project, here is the general sense of what they thought.The enrichment opportunity provided by your project was high quality offering a meaningful and creative addition to the learning around rivers, utilising the local environment to enhance learning and experience.