This project was designed and actualised by artist and researcher Dr Aimee Blease-Bourne, with the residents of Redbrook in 2021, as a direct response to the pandemic.

Through creativity and village tales, Mapping Redbrook encouraged residents to look at their familiar home landscapes in new ways. The interpretation of the place arises from being in the place on a day to day basis.
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Redbrook is a thriving and living landscape. Yet, there is very little formal interpretation reflecting this, with the emphasis usually placed on the villages' industrial past. In 2020, tourist destinations across the UK saw increased numbers of visitors to its beauty spots due to travel restrictions aboard. As a result, communities witnessed increased damage, including littering, fires, and trespass. Research suggests those with greater understandings and experiences of nature, are often more inclined towards 'protecting' or conserving the landscape.

 

The overall aim for this project was to: create an interactive interpretation map to display in Redbrook (in the church and on this website, via QR codes in situ).

 

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Interconnectivity is another theme we investigated: in a time of disconnection, during the pandemic. We border folk have a unique perspective: we live in between: on the fringes of two countries. Through looking back we can examine changes and adaptation. Using both archives and newly created artwork documents time and space through the ages.
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Methodology

In 2021 Aimee and Bronte made scrapbooks during the third national COVID 19 lockdown. The map activity books follow the journey through Redbrook on the Offa's Dyke footpath. Each section represented an area of the village. Within each section, activities in the books helped connect people with place. The activities were completed by participants from home or during a walk of the Offa's Dyke.

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Scrapbooks were made and given as 'containers' for locals unique interpretations of Redbrook. The art and archives shared during this project have come together in this map. Our experiences, memories, thoughts and emotions, are woven into the topography. There were no rules to getting it right. The books were a place to let go, a place to explore and express the love of Redbrook creatively. Together we formed a living history of Redbrook. The original collaged map can be found at St. Saviours Church. In September 2021, artists and residents united to celebrate Redbrook during an exhibition of all the fabulous artwork created.

 

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The project doesn't stop here. We will continue collecting your experiences to add to the archives. If you have any photos or memories of the village you would like to share, please email us.
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Artists included Emily Fordham, Bronwen Sequoia, Bronte Fae, Eli MacIntosh, Pam Wintle, Karen Bridge, Sheila Duggan Tweed, Redbrook Primary School children, Lily, Fiona Frank, Juls Kean, Nicola Goff, Claudia Peake and Aimee Blease-Bourne.
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Special thanks go to Glynis McIntyre who passed on the Redbrook Archives. The archives combine photographs and memorabilia loaned and copied for the local history exhibition in 2003. ​Many gratitudes also goes to AONB Wye Valley, Redbrook Village Trust and Shine Bright Redbrook volunteers Sarah Sheasby and Claudia Peake who helped me make my ideas a reality. Rachel Adams and Nicola Goff, empowered my creative explorations. To Juls Kean and all those who took part in the interviews. Massive thanks to all the participants: the locals, the school children, and those who have previously lived in the village. Huge thanks to: Bronte Fae who worked with me to design the books and had many creative ideas, Mark Bick and those who helped get the church ready for the exhibition and Margaret and Keith who helped at the exhibition.

 

Any views and opinions expressed within this website are those of the participants and do not necessarily reflect the official position of Mapping Redbrook or Aimee Blease-Bourne. Any content provided is an opinion and not intended to malign any religion, ethnic group, club, organisation, company, individual or anyone or anything.