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THE CHILDRENS’ ARCHIVE: An investigation of Green Farm Orchard, Quedgeley. 

 

This is a site-specific project centred around one of Gloucester City Council’s green spaces “Green Farm Orchard”, Quedgeley.  It is a unique green heritage space which was allowed to survive due to its historic connections as a working farm and integral to the Quedgeley landscape. The projects aims were to build connections through caring and knowledge, unifying eco-systems, communities and food.  The project had three phases, firstly the creation of a herbarium. The Children from year 6 Meadowside Primary School foraged for plant matter, learning the names and varieties of fruit and natural flora that existed on the site. Whilst exploring the relationships between the plants, insect, bird and food (the existing fruit trees). The plant matter was collected, dried and then compiled according to correct procedure for the creation of the herbarium.

 

The second phase was a series of 'birdsong walk workshops".  Using digital technology, the children learnt the birdsong calls whilst walking around the orchard.  “How do we talk to the birds?” We play the bird song for the species we have identified and then wait and watch the birds come to us. This is a moving experience for all. 

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The final phase was a ceramics sculpture workshop : Inspired by the bird walk the children made  ceramic stoneware bird sculptures.  Whilst making and learning the basic skills required for working with clay we reflected on the findings of all the workshops and discussed the important role the orchard plays in our lives and the impact for nature. 

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The culmination of all the events were show-cased in a co-curated exhibition in a collaboration with the children and the teachers. The exhibition included the ‘Herbarium, the bird sculptures and the ambient sound of bird calls discovered at the orchard. 

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This project was funded by Voices Gloucester.