Breaking New Ground

Reconnecting People with The Brecks

Pattern Seekers

Brecks Landscape Patterns, a project celebrating the local landscape, launched last month with two popular walks.

Sketchbook Strolls and Artist's on Legs were run by project leader Stephanie Hartick as part of the succesful Suffolk walking Festival. Both walks began at Brandon Country Park with a brief introduction to the landscape character area of The Brecks and the Breaking New Ground Heritage Lottery Funded Project.

"Sketchbook Strolls was attended by people ranging from complete novices to skilled artists and free materials were given appropriate to needs. Reluctant artists were encouraged to start their sketchbook with charcoal or graphite sticks and it was great to see that all took part and were encouraged to draw more and develop their technique. Braving rain and a hailstorm, the sketchbook strollers were rewarded by brilliant sunshine and flowing conversation about the landscape, soils, trees, geology and features of the Brecks. All had fun and most are keen to return for more sketching.

Artist's on Legs ran at half term for children aged 3-12 in sunny weather. The morning started with a look at different patterns found in Breck's snails, leaves, Neolithic tools and rocks whilst we waited for all to start the walk. The first stop was the pond where children were encouraged to look closely for patterns in nature; we then stopped every time someone was inspired to draw something that interested them. The favoured location was the sandy heath where we looked at rabbit burrows, cattle grazing, heather patterns and forest layers from a distance, and all could run around the open aromatic landscape."

Stephanie Hartick


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