Brimham Rocks has announced the appointment of a new ‘Writer in Residence’ at its National Trust site near Pateley Bridge.
Yorkshire-born poet Natalie Anastasia Davies has been successful in securing the position, launched in partnership with Word Up North.
It follows the 2023 commission by Poet Laureate Simon Armitage to create a poem inspired by Brimham Rocks.
The Writer in Residence will research and develop original work inspired by the natural environment and the people who visit.
She will also create and run a series of workshops for aspiring nature writers; and work with local school children in Summerbridge and Darley to help them create their own written responses to the site.
Natalie Anastasia Davies said:
“As a writer and human being, I believe that connection with the natural world is integral to our sense of meaning and wellbeing.
“It is a rare thing in our bustling lives to have time in nature; to be, realise and create.
“I feel privileged to be chosen as the first Brimham Rocks Writer in Residence and plan to fully embrace this opportunity.
“It’s such a pleasure to collaborate with the amazing team at the National Trust and Word Up North and I look forward to sharing this unique experience with communities and developing writers.”
Natalie is a poet and facilitator of Grenadian descent.
Her work explores themes of connection and memory, cultural identity, and the climate crisis. Natalie appreciates art which penetrates the heart of the matter and the heart of the listener.
It is her vision to draw parallels between the personal and global experience, to provoke environmental change.
The residency will take place over 4 months from July – October 2024 and will culminate in a public event to share the work created through the programme.
Jen Taylor, Visitor Operations manager for National Trust Brimham Rocks, said:
“The intention is for the Writer in Residence to get to know Brimham Rocks, the people who visit and to really engage with the place and the opportunity it presents to create a conversation about nature and climate.
“The workshops will provide participants with an opportunity to engage more deeply with the site, its ecology, geology and social history through creative writing workshops, walks and other associated activities.”
Erica Morris, Director of Word Up North, said:
“We’re delighted to be partnering with the National Trust to create the Writer in Residence post.
“This programme offers a writer from the Yorkshire and the Humber region a paid opportunity to develop their creative practice and offers visitors, local communities, young people and aspiring writers the chance to engage more deeply with Brimham Rocks.
“We are thrilled to see the enormously talented Natalie Anastasia Davies appointed and look forward to seeing the playfulness she’ll bring to her work with both children and adults through her workshops and work with local schools.
“Her particular interest in responding to the people at Brimham Rocks – especially its visitors – and exploring how local details can illuminate global issues make us incredibly excited to see what she creates in response to the site.”
The nature writing workshops are available to book via the Ilkley Literature Festival website here: https://www.ilkleyliteraturefestival.org.uk/whats-on
There are a limited number of free bursary places for each of the writing workshops.
You can apply here: https://www.cognitoforms.com/IlkleyLiteratureFestival/WordUpNorth2024BursaryTickets
