With over 60 attendees, the IGNITE IN NATURE proved to be a great success. Attendees enjoyed insightful talks from talented business owners, creatives, and artists, exploring the importance of connecting with nature and addressing environmental challenges. The fully planted and choreographed installation provided a sun-soaked backdrop, that coupled with cocktails, meant this was the best IGNITE yet. Thanks again to the University of Winchester for their support of the event.
Dr. Olivia Chapple – Horatio’s Garden
Kicking off with the amazing Olivia Chapple the day was filled with interesting, exciting and emotional takeaways. Olivia introduced us to the purpose of Horatio’s Garden, which is to nurture the wellbeing of people after spinal injury through inspirational gardens. Positioned in the centre of NHS spinal injury centres, the gardens are an oasis of peace and tranquillity where volunteers and creatives come to together and care for people and plants. In her newly appointed role as High Sheriff of Wiltshire she is keen to champion the emotional and physical benefits of connecting with nature.
Francesca Tyer – Writing Workshop
Francesca’s novel, The Firestone was published shortly after she graduated in 2020 and since then, has been followed up with several new books and a poetry collection. As well as reading from some of her recent works inspired by nature, Francesca enabled all of the Ignite participants to release their inner writer using some of her tips and techniques.
Tim Scrace – Greenwash
In his talk, Tim scrubbed at the layers of greenwash painted over the truth about global warming and emissions. He encouraged us to not only challenge ourselves, but recognise that tools such as “carbon footprint” were devices generated by those in power causing the most damage. Rather than dealing with issues individually, we should be focusing again on the impact of the big guns, the companies greenwashing us into thinking they are environmentally friendly. Individually we can act through consumer choices and by interrogating claims and our investments, collectively, in taking action in this way, by holding and highlighting instances of “greenwashing” and holding big business and decision makers to account we can make a bigger difference.
Watch out for Tim’s latest exhibition more in our next blog post, details below.
Salisbury Chamber of Commerce
Thanks to the Chamber of Commerce for sponsoring the event with a choice of two refreshing cocktails with mocktails on the side as an alcohol-free option. These were served in paper cups, recycled in a later part of the workshop which involved seed packs and soil.
Rebecca Twigg – Kingdom of Sticks
The catchy and memorable business name, Kingdom of Sticks, can be found on the doorpost of multiple community gardens around Salisbury and the South West. Rebecca is an expert on Social and Therapeutic Horticulture programmes (STH for short) and let us know – in laymen’s terms – what this means and the positive impact it can have on people’s mental health.
Richard Connell – New Enclosure
Richard – a Landscape Architect, worked with Tim to transform the courtyard and archway entrance of The Enterprise Network on Salt Lane into a wonderful temporary garden and installation. Playing off the reflections of This Too Will Pass, coupled with other artwork and collaborative elements the space really came alive. Additionally, he presented a fascinating talk on solutions to landscape challenges and more sustainable approaches to design, delivered by his company New Enclosure.
Anselm Audley
Anselm has a background in Ancient and Modern History which he studied at St John’s College, Oxford. He has also published the Aquasilva Trilogy of three historical novels. Anselm took us on an eloquent journey around the river banks of world cities, from Rome to York. York with its sloping green, wood lined river banks compared favourably to the arid and little used landscape around the river waters of Rome.
Charlotte Moreton – Chase and Chalke
Charlotte introduced us to an amazing project designed to connect people to a National Landscape and designated Area of Natural Beauty in Wiltshire. With ½ million people within thirty minutes drive of the protected land Chase and Chalke project endeavoured to make the space relevant and accessible to them. Writing, painting with pigments generated from the landscape and a cookbook for foraged foods are some of the creative projects delivered recently. After listening to presentations about connecting with nature, it was fun to grab a sketchbook in the sunny tranquillity of our temporary garden.
Vickie Wood – Plantlife
As it happens, Plantlife.org.uk, which takes a lead globally on action for the conservation of wild plants and fungi, has its headquarters in Salisbury. From here, they tackle the climate, biodiversity and societal challenge we face across this – our only – planet. Vickie talked us through their pioneering campaign “No Mow May” which is delivering on a shift in thinking.
Roger Tyrell – Take Back Our Land
Roger, a leader and mentor talked us through opportunities to take on redundant, abandoned or unloved land by forming local community groups. Sharing his experiences of enabling spaces, communities and obstacles one can face in taking back control of empty, unloved spaces. Beyond the space, discussions extended into taking back control of systems and society. A good summing up of conversations through the day, that focused on being stronger together.
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UPCOMING EVENTS
Tim Scrace #greenwash
As Tim searches for ways of reconnecting with nature, and encouraging action. Make sure to visit his latest exhibition ‘Greenwash’ which reflects on the climate crisis and its human impact. He is showing with Nick Andrews and Sarah Hobley in the entrance hall of The Guildhall, on the Market Place SP1 1HJ, VENUE 10 of the Salisbury Art Trail. The exhibition is open Tuesday 28 May to Friday 1 June and Monday 3 June to Friday 7 June. Keep an eye out for more info in social media @timscrace.
Salisbury Art Trail 2024 – City Centre Venues
Frankie Sinclair – Figurative Patterns
Take a moment to also visit Frankie , a member of the Scrace Architects team is also exhibiting in the Art Trail, with a range of bold work blending design and figuration. Visit VENUE 7 from Wednesday 5 June – Sunday 9 June on the top floor of Sonder Coffee on Salisbury High Street.
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