7th November 2023 -My visit to Climbing Jack Common (No. 88): Jackie Morris

We parked in Blackpool Car Park in Mortimer Forest, just south of Ludlow. The Common lies on the highest point between this car park and Vinnalls car park, and right across the border between Herefordshire and Shropshire, so immediately appealed as I love a bit of borderscaping.

A steady but gentle climb up not realising that towards the top we were on a path edging the common, hidden by bracken and suddenly we were upon this marvellous open space with spectacular views all round and grid like markings in the grass were the land has been cultivated.

So much to see and colours to pick out, trees bowed over like handwriting, one trunk crying like a baby in the wind, stag beetles scurrying, a robin in the bracken and the sun descending.

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Published by jackiehmorris

I am a folklorist investigating our place in the world through creative and participatory practices. As an artist maker with a textile sensibility, I craft engagements, events, workshops and year long projects. I have a BA(Hons) Fine Art and MA in Contemporary Dialogues. I am currently writing up the thesis of my research investigating rural place in Herefordshire (UK) with its community through its folkloric heritage and landscapes of common land. I live in Herefordshire and study at Manchester Metropolitan University. I am Australian born to British parents and have lived in both countryside and cities of Britain. Rural conversations and fieldwork with my art collective 'Fold' supports and inspires my thinking. My art practice, Volka Arts, is named after my recent investigation into the now enclosed Volca Common Meadow, a short distance from my home. j.morris@volka-arts.org

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