Meandering mindfully around The Outwoods

This weekend I had the joy of spending some time in The Outwoods: luckily it was Saturday and not earlier in the week, so the temperature was a tropical +6 degrees, rather than the minus figures it had been during the week, although thermals and walking boots were still the order of the day!

I hadn't realised I'd already written so extensively about The Outwoods, on here, and I've had a couple of guest blog posts featuring the area too - see the full list below - which cover some of the memorial benches, the sculpture trail, and a bit of history. 

Anyway, this time I was actually attending an art event, the first of which was led by Andrea Abbatangelo. It was all to do with Charnwood Forest applying to become a UNESCO GeoPark [1] - I guess a group similar to the UNESCO World Heritage Sites, but for geologically interesting ones - and Charnwood Forest certainly is that!!

Initially, we did 'exercises' up near the car park (because we were attending some other events, we actually drove to The Outwoods, which isn't something we normally do!). This involved describing something we'd seen as we arrived at the woods, and taking some time to scan interesting looking things, before using microscopes (attached to mobile phones) to look at some things close up. It's very strange what you can see, or what you think you can see when you look carefully and closely at something.

I suppose our walk could have been described as a mindful walk, as we took our time, and closely observed our surroundings. In truth, although I don't normally take my time, I do tend to stop and look at details wherever I am, and I do sometimes wander around just observing anyway - call it psychogeography or flanerie!

Anway, after we'd finished the event in the woods, we had a very welcome lunch stop in the cafe, and some interesting chats with other participants, before moving off to Woodhouse Eaves to hear a talk from another artist. Frances Scott, with her partner, David, had researched The Outwoods, and revealed that Roger Mason had not been the first person to find the Charnia fossil somewhere in the Charnwood Forest in 1957, but that it had first been found by a schoolgirl, Tina Negus, a year earlier, but not been recognised by her teachers for the importance it really held. Her part in finding this fossil was finally acknowledged in 2004, but I admit to not knowing anything about his until now. After a Q&A session and a another round of chatting, we then made our way to Nanpantan ...

Can you believe that although I have been to Nanpantan Hall a few times, I have never been to St Mary's church. Sure, I've walked past it numerous times, and written about it, but never been in, and actually, in truth, I didn't go into the church this time, either, as the artwork was in the church hall, and presumably the church was locked (I didn't check). We stepped into a darkened room and were treated to a couple of films made by / of Becky Lyon, who also has an installation at Morley Quarry in Shepshed, although we didn't have time to visit on this occasion. I must say, it was pretty mesmerising!

As we were leaving the church hall, we took a slight detour and view the poignant war memorial, had a much better look at the bellcote and bell than can be seen from the road, spotted some sheep, and some interesting stones, dedicated to a former owner of Nanpantan Hall.

All in all, a very good day, especially as I could immerse myself in nature, appreciate some art, and learn something new!

Here are some photos of my day - enjoy!  

  

[1] "UNESCO Global Geoparks are single, unified geographical areas where sites and landscapes of international geological significance are managed with a holistic concept of protection, education and sustainable development. Geoparks are areas of exceptional geological significance. All of the UK’s geoparks have internationally significant geology, but what makes them special is that they are community-led partnerships that promote an appreciation of natural and cultural heritage while supporting the sustainable economic development of the area, primarily through geological and eco-tourism."

Here are some of my earlier posts about The Outwoods:

O is for Outwoods 

Walking from Loughborough to The Outwoods and Back - guest post

Outwoods Sculpture Trail 2022

Outwoods Sculptures in town

Memorial benches

Walk to Oaks in Charnwood via The Outwoods

New Year walk to The Outwoods 2016

Life in locked down Loughborough

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Posted by lynneaboutloughborough

With apologies for typos which are all mine!

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