Exploring the Whitworth Doctors

Paul Slater, aka Fabric Lenny, is Spodden Valley Revealed‘s second artist in residence, and is investigating the fascinating story of the Whitworth Doctors. Visit the SVR blog to discover more about Botanicals…

Artist as part of Spodden Valley Revealed Archaeology Team

We were thrilled that David Chatton Barker joined us as artist in residence for Spodden Valley Revealed. David became an integral member of the team, and focused on the evocative site at Brown Wardle, recording the work and helping to interpret the findings through audio, unique maps, performance and storytelling.  David is local to Whitworth, and he spent the residency as part of archaeology team as they investigated this medieval farmstead and potential tenter posts (used to stretch fabric as a part of a cottage industry process in the fields).

David said, “as an artist I have a broad approach, exploring our relationship with collective heritage and place within the multi-layered landscape. I like to unearth and re-animate hidden aspects of our culture and arcane folklore through interactive performance, projection and sculpture.”

David’s investigations have been shared through his blogs, performances, recordings, exhibitions and a publication – Lorelines.  The publication was launched in September 2019 as part of the Rushcart celebrations.

As part of David’s residency we also joined forces with Whitworth Council to create their annual calendar for 2020. The calendar features artwork by David, detailing the amazing local stories of Spodden Valley, including the little known ‘Faminine Tower’, plus the ‘Manstone‘ at Lobden and its associated folklore and other legends such as ’The Queen of the Well’, an eerie tale of magic and Naiads.