Bird’s nest inspired stargazing pavilion for Talkin Tarn

6 April 2023

The North Pennines AONB Partnership and Cumberland Council are working together with Pons Aelius, a team of designers and makers, on the Stars in the Tarn project at Talkin Tarn, as part the Fellfoot Forward Landscape Partnership Scheme (LPS).

Led by the North Pennines AONB Partnership and funded by The National Lottery Heritage Fund, the Fellfoot Forward LPS aims to benefit people and nature, 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.

Helen Featherstone, Director England, North, at The National Lottery Heritage Fund, said: “This is a wonderful project that we are thrilled to support, thanks to money raised by National Lottery players. ‘Stars in the Tarn’ will mean that more people will be able to get involved with, protect, and enjoy the amazing dark sky and exciting natural heritage right on their doorstep.”.

The Stars in the Tarn project aims to raise awareness of the Fellfoot Forward area’s dark night skies and to create opportunities for people to engage with, and immerse themselves in, astronomy and stargazing as part of our ‘slow landscape’. Protection and conservation of our dark skies are positive actions we can all support and take, and lead to benefits for wildlife and our health and wellbeing, as well as saving energy. Cumberland Council are keen to protect the dark skies at Talkin Tarn for wildlife, dark sky events, including the North Pennines Stargazing Festival, and to gain designation as a Dark Sky Discovery Site.

The commission is to build a small stargazing pavilion on the south-eastern side of the tarn, near the wood, which will give people a quiet space to stop and take time out, day or night. The structure could also provide an ‘outdoor classroom’ for schools and small groups.

Ross Heffernan, from Pons Aelius, said: “As a collective of architects, designers, makers and crafts people we are passionate about promoting traditional building techniques and the use of natural materials, so the opportunity to incorporate these into a low-impact, contemporary installation in this beautiful setting is an honour. We are delighted to be a part of this exciting project for Talkin Tarn Country Park and the wider North Pennines AONB and look forward to providing a space for all to pause, reflect and look up.”

The design by Pons Aelius draws upon the history and materials used in traditional roundhouse construction and draws inspiration from the tarn and adjacent woodland. The natural form of a bird’s nest has inspired its composition and the intention is that the pavilion will sit lightly within the landscape, its use of natural woodland materials complimenting the existing flora.

The main frame of the pavilion will be constructed from timber poles with hazel panels wrapping around the outside encasing the green wood uprights and seating. Almost all of the materials used in the construction are to be sourced locally. Volunteers will be key in the making of the hazel panels, learning the traditional technique of hazel weaving, and constructing the twenty-five panels required.

Rio Floreza, Community Engagement Officer with the North Pennines AONB Partnership, said: “The collaborative build of the stargazing pavilion at Talkin Tarn provides an excellent opportunity for young adults to volunteer within the Fellfoot Forward LPS and gain hands-on skills and experience in heritage related activities. We look forward to seeing the pavilion being used by a wide variety of individuals and groups from within and beyond the local community, not only stargaze but share as place of reflexion and learning.”

Media enquiries

Contact Kate Stacey at North Pennines AONB Partnership for further information: katestacey@northpenninesaonb.org.uk / 07920020648

Images of ‘The round-house design’ and a ‘Visualisation of the round-house in situ’, both ©Pons Aelius are attached. For alternative images please contact Kate on 07920020648 or email katestacey@northpenninesaonb.org.uk

About The National Lottery Heritage Fund
Using money raised by the National Lottery, we Inspire, lead and resource the UK’s heritage to create positive and lasting change for people and communities, now and in the future. www.heritagefund.org.uk.
Since The National Lottery began in 1994, National Lottery players have raised over £43 billion for projects and more than 635,000 grants have been awarded across the UK. More than £30 million raised each week goes to good causes across the UK.

Fellfoot Forward Landscape Partnership Scheme – 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. The Fellfoot Forward LPS brings together management and restoration of habitats with community archaeology, conservation of historic buildings, community arts and education. The Fellfoot Forward LPS is made up of the following partners: Eden Rivers Trust, Natural England, Historic England, RSPB, Cumberland Council, Cumbria County Council, Westmorland and Furness Council, Cumbria Action for Sustainability, The Farmer’s Network, Cumbria Wildlife Trust, and Cumbria Biodiversity Data Centre. For more information about the Fellfoot Forward Landscape Partnership Scheme visit https://northpennines.org.uk/what_we_do/fellfoot-forward/