Lines in the Landscape – what a year!

Lines in the Landscape – what a year!

We have had a fantastic year of events on the theme of Lines in the Landscape thanks to the National Grid Community Grant Fund. It’s been wonderful to engage with the landscapes of Eryri National Park in ways that are practical, educational, creative, and at times, just fun!

We’ve had the chance to try our hand at traditional skills that hold our landscapes together such as dry stone walling with Julian Thompson from the Pensychnant Conservation Centre, and hedge laying with Joseff from Llwyngwilym Farm, Dinas Mawddwy. It’s been wonderful to learn and practice these ancient skills which have been passed down for generations and hopefully will continue to be into the future.

We’ve been inspired on fascinating guided walks, from the industrial history which has shaped Yr Wyddfa with Mountain Leader Keith Hulse, to tracing the map lines that surround us but we can’t see with Mike Raine. National Trust Archaeologist Kathy Laws has given us an insight into the human history of the Carneddau mountain range, and we’ve discovered the secret world which surrounds us after dark in a Ty Hyll bat walk with Sam Dyer.

We’ve explored our creative side with Guided by Nature, using traditional natural inks and techniques to create a booklet of personal meaning, and tried charcoal drawing with our very own Peri Smith. Learning willow weaving with the fantastic Eirian Muse from Helyg Lleu was a wonderful insight into this beautiful skill.

Eryri is full of lines which enable us to understand and navigate the landscape, from footpaths and tracks to rivers and contours. It reveals storylines of man and nature if we know where to look. It has been wonderful to work with members of the public and community groups this year through the Lines in the Landscape project, to engage with and appreciate the National Park, and maybe add a small line to our own stories.

With thanks to the National Grid Community Grant Fund.