Visual Arts Projects 2006
Elemental Project
During the summer of 2006 Tim and Alison worked with children and young people from the Garw Valley on a Green Arts Summerscheme project exploring the wildlife of the River Garw.
Beginning at its source high in the hills above Blaengarw they followed the course of the river down through the picturesque Garw Valley to the point where it meets the River Ogmore at Bryngarw Country Park.
Over the course of two weeks the group took photographs and made drawings of the wildlife that they found along the river and were amazed at the sheer variety and abundance of plants, animals and birds found there. They also learnt about the history of the valley and the people who live there and were surprised to discover that the valley had been inhabited for many thousands of years. Some of the Garw's present inhabitants were interviewed by the group, and they found a visit to the studio of one of Wales' most renowned artists, Kevin Sinnott, particularly inspiring.
The group were so excited by what they had learnt that they decided to share their findings with others and using their photographs, drawings and words they created a delightful booklet entitled 'Elemental - wildlife of the River Garw'. Intended for residents and visitors to the valley alike the booklet acts as a guide to the wildlife of the Garw and stresses the importance of preserving our natural heritage, whilst also informing people of the geography, history and culture of one of Wales's best kept secrets.
Walking Lambs To Blackmill
December 2006 saw the launch of 'Walking Lambs To Blackmill, a Peoples History publication depicting the past, present and future of the farming community in the ward of Blackmill. Over a period of eighteen months Tim and Alison worked closely with the local farming community to produce the book and gained a fascinating insight into an industry which is an integral part of life in the Blackmill area.
Funded by a small Heritage Grant and working in partnership with Communities First the project was inspired by the re-opening of the Blackmill sheep sales which continues to prosper and has been the lifeblood of the local farming industry for over a century. During the project we were struck by the willingness of the whole community to contribute their stories and information, and by the warmth and friendship that exists in this community. The result is a delightful little book which depicts the changing fortunes of the local farming industry over the last century, from the romanticised stories of some of the older farmers to the many challenges experienced by those farming the hills today. Despite the difficulties that modern farming faces, the farmers themselves have an admirably positive outlook and a determination to take the industry forward, and in this they have the support of the whole community.
The book was launched at The Ogmore Junction public house in Blackmill on a crisp December day following the last sale of the year. A very impressive turnout was treated to a number of speeches by those involved in local farming, as well as a fascinating speech by our local MP Huw Irranca Davies. Refreshments were provided and the barstaff were kept very busy, evidence indeed that farming the land is thirsty work. As afternoon turned into evening the beer flowed freely and this charming old pub echoed with the laughter of those entertained by the fascinating tales of those who had spent their lives trying to make a living out of these windswept hills.
Excerpts
"Rising to the north are the picturesque Glamorgan hills, the home of the Welsh Mountain Sheep. Although the subject of much humour, they are known to lovers of fine food the world over for their meat is of the highest quality and has graced the finest dinner tables. Upon rain soaked hills these hardiest of Gods creatures have for many centuries been as much a part of the landscape as the hills themselves. No one is sure exactly how long the sheep have been here but one thing is for certain. As long as there have been sheep here there have been farmers to care for them."
"Nestled between the hills to the north of Bridgend lies the pretty village of Blackmill, a quiet unassuming place but one that has been at the heart of the local farming industry for as long as anyone can remember for it is home to the Blackmill Sheep Sales. Every fortnight for six months of the year people flock here from as far afield as West Wales and Gloucestershire to buy the local sheep at the Sales. Set up at the start of the last century."
"Local farmers would drive their sheep across the mountains and down into Bridgend where they would be sold for gold sovereigns at market. The journey home would be fraught with danger as they would often be prey to highwaymen and robbers who would hide in the dense forests awaiting the weary, and often intoxicated farmers. There are even tales of murders being committed as the robbers would stop at little to get their money."
"With the mining industry, however, came great changes. and the arrival of so many people presented the local farmers with a huge challenge. All of these people had to be fed and as the human population rose dramatically so did that of the sheep. In the days before modern transport peoples dietary needs were largely dependant on locally produced food, and a close relationship grew between farmers and miners and their fortunes would be inextricably linked for many years to come."
"It doesn't make a lot of sense to me to produce stuff in one area, send it hundreds of miles to be packaged, then ship it hundreds of miles again to put it in the supermarkets. Its not fresh wholesome food anymore. They put lots of preservatives in things to make them last longer. And with a lot of the produce you get on the shelves today I think the cost of the wrapping is more than what's inside it."
