A new venture starts with Fellfoot Forward

Fellfoot voices blog by Dylan Hardy, trainee with the North Pennines AONB Partnership

Being at the start of my traineeship, I have begun my involvement on many of the different projects that the North Pennines AONB Partnership are working on. Before I was a trainee, I had the chance to work on the Fellfoot Forward scheme’s creation of a skygazing pavilion at Talkin Tarn. The structure was designed and constructed by craftspeople and volunteers in a way that emulates the nests of the ground-nesting birds on site, as well as giving the public a chance to turn their eyes upward.

Shannon Berry was one of the craftspeople involved in the Mast Collective (formerly Pons Alias), the team of designers and craftspeople who had the task of getting the structure in place. As a green-woodworker, Shannon had the role of running the volunteer workshops that took place over four consecutive weekends and produced the 25 woven hazel panels that clad the outside of the structure, giving its signature ‘nest’ look. Luckily for me, Shannon is a friend I’ve known from woodland-based events over the last few years. When she called to ask me if I’d like to join as a volunteer for one of the weekends, I was working in Yorkshire and looking for something else to move onto. We agreed that I would help her for the four weeks of the workshops and, one week after I left my job, I was helping Shannon prepare for the first workshop, taking place that coming weekend. Not really knowing what role I’d take on, I set about learning the craft of hazel weaving as fast as I could.

When Friday came around, I found myself teaching the techniques I’d learned from Shannon to the volunteers and answering questions as best I could. This was a role I hadn’t found myself in before, but I really enjoyed working with people and in a tutoring role. Over the weekends, I grew in confidence and ability, independently running demos and sections of the crafting process, which allowed Shannon and I to share the techniques more effectively. With a new group of volunteers every week, it was a great opportunity to connect with new characters and share the crafting experience with people, from locals living down the road to craftspeople who’d travelled to join the project. The response from the participants was overwhelmingly positive, feedback describing the experience as nourishing, fun, and interesting, which made the hard work even more rewarding.

Between these weekends, we also had two days of community engagement planned with the schools in the area run by Sam Tranter, community engagement officer with the Fellfoot Forward scheme. Around 30 children, aged three to seven, joined us to explore the woods, learn about the species surrounding the Tarn, and take part in weaving their very own hazel panel. Their passion and huge smiles created a massively fulfilling experience for me.

After the last workshop, I helped Shannon complete the project, helping to prepare the posts for the reciprocating rafters, installing the panels on the structure, and weaving between the gaps. I ended up being involved in the project for eight weeks, working until the structure opened to the public with an arts event. It was around this time that Sam mentioned the traineeship with the Fellfoot Forward scheme, and that I would be a good candidate to apply for the position.

I hadn’t known what to expect from my time with Shannon nor did I have a plan for what I’d do afterward but, just a few months ago, I’d never have guessed I’d finish the year as a member of staff with the North Pennines AONB Partnership. After successfully getting through the interview stage, moving to the scheme area, and going through the first month of my traineeship, I’m pleased to say that I’m very happy with where it’s led so far. The Nest project was a great learning experience for me and it has led to what is already becoming another huge development opportunity within my career. On top of all the fond memories of being at the tarn, meeting and working with wonderful people, I can’t imagine a better outcome.