Poetry

The rural landscape as well as the farmed landscape has been celebrated by artists and especially by poets for millennia. In our time, when so many people feel alienated from the land, their work seems to have an especial relevance. The best of it draws us in (if only we'll let it), it fascinates, and it helps rebuild that lost sense of feeling for something - the land - on which our wellbeing rests. And perhaps not only the land but badger's eyes, curlew, sheep in the mist...

- Woodlands Writer in Residence

Clare Best

In 2005, Clare Best became Writer in Residence at Woodlands - this has been the first ever residency of its kind established on a farm. Arts Council England have funded the project, in two stages, and Clare's work here has also been supported by the Soil Association, by Huntingdon Farmers' Market and by Woodlands Farm.

Christie Dickason

Christie Dickason

Christie Dickason visited Woodlands in May 2006 with the composer Cecilia McDowall. With the support of Respect Organics, Arts and Business New Partners and the Soil Association they had been commissioned by the Bournemouth Sinfonietta Choir to produce a cantata which would 'celebrate the organic landscape in the twenty-first century'. Find out more about Christie and read the poetry >>