Six, artist-led, community arts pilot projects have been commissioned for the Fellfoot Forward Landscape Partnership Scheme’s (LPS) Community Arts project

Inspired by a ‘Fellfoot Tapestry’ theme, the six projects will see artists work together with local community audiences, including families, farmers, young people, the women’s institute, walking groups, local historians, and people from across wide age groups, to deliver their activity.

Led by the North Pennines AONB Partnership and funded by The National Lottery Heritage Fund, the Fellfoot Forward LPS is a major project to conserve, enhance and celebrate the natural and cultural heritage of a special part of the North West of England, which stretches from the Cumbrian fellside of the North Pennines AONB and UNESCO Global Geopark to the River Eden, and runs north from Melmerby to Hallbankgate.

Fiona Knox, Fellfoot Forward Scheme Manager, said: “We have been blow away by the response of local artists to create such diverse and fantastic opportunities for the community to discover and re-discover their connections with place, landscape, and heritage, and to share their stories and thoughts for the future in creative, immediate and bold ways.”

Sam Tranter, Fellfoot Forward Community Engagement Office, said “I know the artists are itching to put their proposals into practice in the coming months. We plan to share their and the audience’s experiences and final pieces widely through the scheme area and beyond, and tthese will be tracked on our website, Facebook group and newsletter.”

‘Fellfoot Tapestry - the people and place’ by Simon Whalley aims to engage local photographers, teenagers, and people from the farming community from across the Fellfoot Forward LPS area to produce both a physical and a virtual photographic and film exhibition.