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Make Your Way to Chatelherault - Fabric of the Land
With the Blantyre Cubs, Jenny O'Boyle explored the Millheugh route to Chatelherault.
Make Your Way explored and highlighted access routes into Chatelherault County Park, going from Hamilton, Larkhall and Quarter. Six artists were given the chance to undertake residencies with local groups groups including: Hamilton Ramblers, Larkhall and District Volunteers, Universal Connections Larkhall, Quarter Primary School, Clydesdale Colts and Blantyre Cubs. The artists' work culminated in Celebration of the Land events held across Chatelherault and the surrounding area.
Working with the Blantyre Cubs, artist Jenny O'Boyle led a walk around the Millheugh access route to Chatelherault Country Park. The group got to find out more about the River Avon and the reintroduction of Salmon, as well as touching on some of the heritage around the former Bleach Works in the area. Avon Bank Bleach Works (est. 1796) would sometimes change the colour of the river with its dyes running off, and it had a Beetling Mill where cloth was pounded flat.
Following their exploration around Millheugh, Jenny worked with the Cubs on printing patterns and designs inspired by nature - taking a cue from the fabric work that would have once been done locally, also heavily inspired by the great outdoors.
Jenny culminated the engagement section of her residency with a Wassail - jointly delivered with artist Nadia Rossi - and, amid traditional song, the Cubs returned to Millheugh, via Chatelherault, assisting in the planting of a tree at the Applebank Inn. Jenny developed the Cubs designs into multi-coloured, many styled fabrics printed with the designs created by the group. These were displayed at part of the CAVLP Land, Water and Life exhibition.
Make Your Way connects communities in Hamilton, Larkhall and Quarter with Chatelherault Country Park. It is supported by The Scottish Government, Paths for All and Transport Scotland Smarter Choices Smarter Places grant, and South Lanarkshire Council LEADER and Heritage Lottery Fund Scotland supported Clyde and Avon Valley - CAVLP.
