Wild Walsall x Walkspace Walk
Event details
Date
About the event
On this walk we will be exploring areas which include; an ancient woodland, sections of a disused canal and an urban 'desire' park. These transient spaces are meeting points where the slow plod of the narrow boat meets with the hum of the M6 motorway. We welcome your curiosity, and invite you to take the time to explore the local flora, fungi and wildlife of this unassuming stretch of nature. The walk will include a simple creative mapping exercise and moments of mindful listening. Whether you are a local or a visitor, this is your invitation to pause and be curious about what might be on your doorstep.
Participants are invited to a light lunch (vegetarian, vegan and gluten free options) along with hot drinks at The Local Hub, Bloxwich, where the walk will end. There will be opportunities to feedback on your experiences, find out more about Wild Walsall and creatively share your inputs.
Event Information:
Meeting Point: Front car park of United Kingdom Pub, 14 Bloxwich Rd N, Willenhall WV12 5PG
Arrival Time: from 10:20 to set off at 10:30am
Duration: Approx 1.5-2 hours.
Terrain: Variable ground, including roads, woodland paths. Please wear sturdy footwear and appropriate attire for our unpredictable autumnal weather.
Toilets: Available at the Local Hub Bloxwich West.
End point of walk: The Local Hub, 88 Sneyd Lane, Bloxwhich, Walsall, WS3 2NA
Please note that this walk starts and ends at different locations. There will be refreshments and toilets at The Local Hub, Bloxwich on arrival.
About the Walk Leaders
Daniella Turbin is an artist-adventurer from the West Midlands. Her artistic practice combines long distance walking with photography, drawing and writing. In 2022 she embarked on her longest walk to date – around the whole of Great Britain. Setting off from and returning to her home in Essington, South Staffordshire the artist planned a route that would pass through every county and take about a year to complete. Recent projects include a solo exhibition at The New Art Gallery Walsall (2024) and she is currently writing a book about the journey.
Andy Howlett is an artist, filmmaker and writer based in Birmingham. He’s interested in the power of collective walking to re-map and re-enchant our neighbourhoods, cities and public spaces. His walks and films have been commissioned by Flatpack Festival, Ikon Gallery, Solihull Council, Creative Black Country and Voce Books/Influx Press. He is co-founder of walking-art co-operative Walkspace which has exhibited at Artefact gallery and received commissions from The British Council, Creative Black Country, and the Wildlife Trust.
co-operative of artists and creatives in the West Midlands who are intrigued by walking in all its forms. Formed in 2020, Walkspace has become a locus of activity for creative walking in the region. Through their experiments in collective walking they forge new connections between people and place.
This event is part of Wild Walsall, Birmingham and Black Country Wildlife Trust’s ambitious nature recovery programme taking place across the landscape east from Walsall centre, alongside a linked programme of community engagement. Currently in its year-long development phase, thanks to funding from National Lottery Heritage Fund, the aim of this project is twofold - to make a significant intervention into vital habitats, such as globally rare lowland heathland, across a peri-urban area, and to connect people to this remarkable natural resource on their doorstep.