An arts organisation is set to host a series of walks and workshops as part of their 2018 programme of events which shine a light on the unique character and creativity of the Norfolk and Suffolk border.

The next Waveney and Blyth Arts walk will take place on Monday, July 30 in Bungay.

It will combine a 1.5 mile walk around the centre of Bungay with a creative writing workshop. The walk, led by historian Chris Reeve, will look at sites associated with prehistoric pagan worship and belief, including the Waveney River, Borough Well and Druid Stone. The creative writing workshop, led by poet Beth Soule, will look at ancient artefacts and explore the themes of the walk through writing, annotated sketches and poetry.

Taking place from 11am- 4pm, tickets are £12 per person (£10 for WBA members).

Other walks include Covehithe – Shifting Sands and Fine Finds, Blyth Walk – Where Otters Dwell, Walberswick –Architecture & Understanding Constable and many others.

Three workshops also form part of the programme including a poetry event and an exploratory archive event for artists.

The season of events by Waveney & Blyth Arts aims to celebrate the unique landscapes of the Waveney and Blyth valleys across more than 25 events.

Rivers and the creatures, plants and people that live in and around them is a theme that runs throughout the programme.

One of the highlight events is the annual Waveney Valley Sculpture Trail which takes place at The Raveningham Centre from August 17 until September 16 and features the work of more than 30 artists.

For more information about every event and to book visit www.waveneyandblytharts.com/WALKS

Bungay – Water and Worship
Writer and historian Chris Reeve leads a walk around the centre of Bungay looking at sites associated with prehistoric pagan worship and belief, including the Waveney River, Borough Well and Druid Stone. Followed by creative writing workshop led by poet Beth Soule, looking at ancient artefacts and exploring the themes of the walk through writing, annotated sketches and poetry.
Monday, July 30, 11am- 12.30pm (walk), 1.30-4pm (writing workshop), £12/£10

Covehithe – Shifting Sands and Fine Finds
A leisurely walk at low tide along the ‘wild’ coast at Covehithe with local beachcomber Simon Raven. Learn to see natural and man-made detritus in a creative light. Simon will bring examples of past finds including fossilised bark and amber. We’ll share our discoveries and possibly leave something creative for others to find.
Wednesday, August 8, 12pm – 3.30pm

Corton – Shifting Sands and Fine Finds
Another leisurely walk at low tide with local beachcomber Simon Raven, this time along North Denes Beach, Lowestoft. Learn to see natural and man-made detritus in a creative light. Simon will bring examples of pastfinds including fossilised bark and amber. We’ll share our discoveries and possibly leave something creative for others to find.
Wednesday, August 22, 12pm – 3.30pm

Harleston Town – Walk and Art
This walk around the market town of Harleston will include visits to the Millhouse Pottery, Harleston GoGoHare, PARADISE and a number of artists’ studios, providing a chance to hear about their approach andtechniques. Led by Nicky Stainton, a member of the Harleston & Waveney Art Trail Collecive.
Saturday, August 25, 2pm – 4pm

Blyth Walk – Where Otters Dwell
Shy, elusive otters dwell along our rivers and estuaries but are rarely seen. Join citizen scientist and artist Meg Amsden, otter surveyor for this section of the River Blyth, on a sea-wall walk where telltale spraint and footprints may be found. Hear from botanist Graham Peck about what grows alongside the estuary and listen to otter poems and stories read by Melinda Appleby.
Sunday, September 2, 10.30am – 12.30pm

Ringsfield Walk and Sun Pictures
Meet at Ringsfield Church, where a memorial sculpture commemorates a French princess. Then follow tracks through farmed countryside to reach Ringsfield Eco Activity Centre, where a meandering Earth Walk will re- awaken the senses and connect us to the natural world. Make a cyanotype (sun picture) using light sensitive paper, and end with foraged teas and delicious homemade cake around an outdoor fire.
Saturday, September 8, 2pm – 5pm

Walberswick Watery Worlds Sketchbook Walk
Sketchbooks in hand we will walk through the fantastic habitats of Walberswick Nature Reserve. Starting at the boardwalk and moving through woodland and into the reed beds this walk, led by artist Kasia Posen, will give you the opportunity to be absorbed into the mysterious worlds under upturned trees and through the curious corridors of the reed beds. All drawing materials will be provided – just bring a keen eye and your imagination.
Thursday, September 13, 10am – 2pm

Walberswick – Architecture and Understanding Constable
An event of two halves, starting with a stroll around Walberswick to learn about architect Frank Jennings and his Arts & Craft style houses in this pretty village. Then, in the Flint Barn, Dr Roger Simpson will give an illustrated presentation on the life and paintings of John Constable, explaining the historic context of his life and how it influenced his work.
Sunday, September 16, 2pm – 4.30pm

WORKSHOPS

From this Tree: Poetry Workshop
In the wooded setting of the Sculpture Trail explore the fascinating lives of trees, the stories and legends surrounding them and the trail itself. Using the art works, writing prompts and exercises as resources, we will celebrate the vital role of trees in our history, landscape, lives, beliefs and even our survival. And we will create a Poet Tree in the process.
Wednesday, August 22, 10am – 4pm

Visiting the Archive: Exploratory Workshop
This workshop, led by visual artist Russell Moreton, will be the start of an enquiry into the archives of WBA’sinitiatives, particularly the conceptual web of 70+ walk routes that criss-cross the WBA landscape. Russell invites artists to join in a process of documentation, drawing and research through fine art practice that could lead to the mutual exchange of ideas, experimentation with new forms or materials of expression, and an exhibition in 2019.
Saturday, September 1, 10am – 1pm

Discover Doggerland

Waveney and Blyth Arts

Waveney & Blyth Arts is a dynamic voluntary group that connects creative people and places in the Waveney and Blyth river valleys along the Norfolk/Suffolk border.

Our activities use exciting and varied arts practice to celebrate the natural and built environment, and build deep connections between people and places

For the 2018 programme of events we are delighted to be working closely with Deaf Connexions, Southwold Arts Festival, the Broads Authority, Raveningham Centre, Ferini Art Gallery, Inspired by Becker Art Society, Suffolk Poetry Society and the Water, Mills and Marshes Landscape Partnership.