WORKSHOPS & WALKS: 2024
BRINGING THE MAN WHO PLANTED TREES TO LIFE 

The Man Who Planted Trees was an immersive experience that went beyond the stage! From March to June 2024, nearly 500 of you joined us in 38 workshops and walks, exploring art, craft, puppetry, and nature.

5 guided walks across Elland, Rastrick, Brighouse, and Todmorden
22 public workshops in Todmorden, Hebden Bridge, Mytholmroyd, Rastrick, and Halifax—including drama, creative writing, singing, ceramics, puppet making, and planting (5 just for young people!)
9 drop-in sessions for all ages at Todmorden and Rastrick Community Creative Days
2 special events blending scenic walks with hands-on art workshops

All workshops were inclusive, welcoming all ages and abilities, with fully accessible venues. Thank you for making this project such a success!
Picture
DRAMA TASTER WORKSHOP WITH ANDY BARRY
​Introducing Young People to Theatre & Puppetry
​Over Easter, we teamed up with Time Out and Calderdale Young Carers to host four drama taster workshops, giving young people a chance to explore The Man Who Planted Trees. Led by director Andy Barry, these fun and relaxed sessions featured drama games, puppetry, and storytelling.

28 MARCH | ORANGE BOX, HALIFAX
10AM-12PM (AGES 8-11)
2PM-4:30PM (AGES 11-16)

5 APRIL | ​HEBDEN BRIDGE TOWN HALL
10AM-12PM (AGES 8-11)
2PM-4:30PM (AGES 11-16)

These workshops not only sparked creativity but also led to the selection of six young performers who joined our The Man Who Planted Trees productions!
Picture
CREATIVE WRITING WITH AMANDA DALTON
​Exploring Stories & Themes Through Writing

Led by writer Amanda Dalton, these hands-on workshops invited participants (ages 16+) to explore The Man Who Planted Trees through creative writing. Whether you were a seasoned writer or a first-time scribbler, these sessions offered a welcoming space to experiment with ideas and storytelling.

13 APRIL | MYTHOLMROYD COMMUNITY CENTRE | 2PM-4PM
17 APRIL | TODMORDEN COLLEGE | 7PM-9PM
​
With participants’ permission, selected pieces featured in Hebden Bridge Arts’ The Man Who Planted Trees project sharing, both at our Creative Community Days, and in our exhibitions. 
Picture
CLAY HANDBUILDING WITH KATIE BATES
Making Acorns with Wild Clay

In this hands-on workshop, participants used locally dug wild clay to craft acorns from two pinch pots, learning texture decoration techniques along the way.

​Guided by ceramicist Katie Bates, these unique creations formed part of The Man Who Planted Trees exhibitions, running in Calderdale from May to July.

14 APRIL | THE LOCAL MOTIVE, MYTHOLMROYD |  2PM-4PM
AGES 12+

After the exhibitions, participants collected their acorns as a keepsake of their contribution.
Picture
WOODCUT WORKSHOP BY RACHEL RED
Be Part of the Bigger Picture

This hands-on workshop introduced participants to woodcut printing, guiding them through carving their own blocks and printing as part of a larger collaborative artwork. The final piece is a collective interpretation of a Harry Brockway illustration from The Man Who Planted Trees, set to be showcased in our exhibition.

21 APRIL | NORTHLIGHT ART STUDIO, HEBDEN BRIDGE  | 1:30PM-4PM
AGES 16+

Due to the use of sharp tools, this workshop was open to ages 16+.
16 individual woodcuts came together to complete the big picture!
Picture
BIG MAKE: GIANT PUPPET WORKSHOPS
Led by Artists Alison Duddle & Jonny Quick

Across four hands-on taster sessions, participants teamed up with puppet artists Alison Duddle and Jonny Quick to help build a giant puppet! Using clay, papier-mâché, and wood (with optional power tool use), people worked on different parts of the structure, choosing the techniques that suited them best.

27 & 28 APRIL | TODMORDEN COLLEGE | 10AM-12:30PM & 1:30PM-4PM
AGES 16+

Flexible participation – one or all four sessions
Picture
NEEDLE FELTING WITH DANI LOVETT
Create a Felted Wool Landscape

In this relaxed, hands-on workshop, participants learned the dry felting technique to create sections of a large textile landscape wall hanging. Working with coloured wool, they shaped and felted their own part of the picture, adding textures and details to reflect a section of the landscape.

28 APRIL | THE SPACE, HEBDEN BRIDGE TOWN HALL | 2PM-4PM
AGES 12+

Collaborative artwork – All the individual sections came together to form a stunning collective piece, showcased in the Hebden Bridge Arts’ 2024 open exhibitions.
Picture
WALK & DRAW WORKSHOPS 
With Paul Knights & Sally Barker

Participants joined artists Paul Knights and Sally Barker for a creative exploration of nature and history in the Walk & Draw workshop. The experience began with a mindful walk through the local area, soaking in the natural beauty and reflecting on the industrial heritage that had shaped the valley’s landscape.
As they gathered inspiration from the surroundings—colours, textures, sounds, and natural materials—attendees used these elements to draw, paint, and print with natural inks, creating their own artistic interpretations of the environment.

4 MAY | HEBDEN BRIDGE | 1:30PM-4:30PM (AGES 16+)
11 MAY | ELLAND | 1:30PM-4:30PM (AGES 16+)

The resulting artworks featured in our July exhibitions in Hebden Bridge and Elland.
Picture
COMMUNITY SINGING TASTER WORKSHOPS 
with Charlie Rhodes 

We invited the community to join in a fun and engaging singing session led by Musical Director Charlie Rhodes. The workshop was designed for those aged 18+, with no prior stage experience needed. Participants enjoyed singing games, rounds, and simple harmony work, all while being introduced to the story of our new production.
​
By the end of the session, attendees received information on how to be part of The Man Who Planted Trees production as part of the community chorus. The chorus will include both youth singers and 10-12 adults to join the ensemble and sing two songs in the show.

11 MAY | THE SPACE, HEBDEN BRIDGE TOWN HALL | 2:30PM-4:30PM (AGES 18+)

Picture
CROMWELL BOTTOM LOCAL NATURE RESERVE  
Guided Walk with Paul Knights

19 MAY | 1PM-3.30PM | AGES 14+

We enjoyed a gentle, two-mile walk around Cromwell Bottom Local Nature Reserve. As we ambled on the accessible paths, we considered the remarkable industrial history of this part of the Calder Valley, and its astonishing rejuvenation into a mosaic of woodland, wetland and meadow that has become the wildlife jewel in the borough's crown.

​We saw how a site once so used and abused can, with the dedication of those who care, be transformed into a thriving haven for birds and bats and bees, and also for people.
Picture
KIDS ILLUSTRATION ART WORKSHOP WITH JIMMY DOLAN

18 MAY | MYTHOLMROYD COMMUNITY CENTRE | 2PM-4.30PM
AGES 7-11, PLUS PARENT

14 kids joined Jimmy Dolan, artist and educator to help create a massive painted illustration inspired by 'The Man Who Planted Trees' by Jean Giono, 

After a storytelling session, the group thought about and drew trees and then worked collaboratively on a giant floor painting, made with paints from hand made pigments. This amazing artwork was featured in our Hebden Bridge exhibition. 
Picture
WILD CLAY SEED BOMB SCULPTURE WORKSHOP 
With Katie Bates

Over 30 participants joined Katie Bates to create wild clay sculptures filled with wildflower seeds. These sculptures, designed to break down naturally, provide habitat and food for insects. Each participant made two sculptures—one to take home and another for a local public exhibition with Incredible Edible Todmorden.

1 JUNE | KNOTTS WOOD ROOM, TODMORDEN COLLEGE | 11:10AM & 1:50PM
AGES 5+

The workshop offered an environmentally friendly way to work with clay, while participants also learned about the history of hay meadows in the Calder Valley and ways to support insect populations.
Picture
RESURGENCE: TODMORDEN GUILDED WALK
A Walk Towards Restored Landscapes of the Future 

Led by Paul Knights, participants embarked on a two-mile walk into the landscape surrounding Todmorden, exploring the themes of The Man Who Planted Trees. As they journeyed from the town’s edge into the open fields, they reflected on the area's long history—its wild natural past, the arrival of farming, and the decline of industry.

Along the way, they celebrated the beauty of the land, but also discussed the loss of species diversity and abundance over time. Drawing inspiration from the hopeful message of the book, the group considered the possibilities for restoration. 

1 JUNE | TODMORDEN COLLEGE | 11:45AM & 2:30PM | AGES 14+
Picture
SENDING SEEDS: MONO-PRINTED GREETING CARDS 
With Jimmy Dolan 

Using simple mono print techniques, and supported by artist and educator Jimmy Dolan people created their own handmade greeting cards for someone they cared about.

Participants took their  inspiration from 'The Man Who Planted Trees' short story when thinking about what to draw, or they traced drawings supplied and chose some seeds to add to their card.

15 JUNE | THE SPACE @ FIELD LANE | 11.15AM, 1PM, 2.45PM
Picture
RESURGENCE: RASTRICK GUILDED WALK
A Walk Towards Restored Landscapes of the Future 

15 JUNE | THE SPACE @ FIELD LANE | 11.30AM & 2PM | AGES 14+
​Led by Paul Knights, participants joined us for a two-mile walk through the landscape surrounding Rastrick, exploring the themes of The Man Who Planted Trees. As the group ventured through the area, they reflected on its rich history—from its wild natural past, to the rise of farming, and the decline of industry.

Drawing on the hopeful message of the book, the walk considered the restoration of the environment. Inspired by Elezard the shepherd's example in the story and local success stories, participants thought about what can be regained through determined efforts to restore what we have damaged. In doing so, we not only renew our bond with nature but also create a more resilient and abundant world for future generations.
Postal Address: Hebden Bridge Arts, The Town Hall, St George's Street, Hebden Bridge, HX7 7BY.
​
Main email: [email protected]​

Sign up to our Newsletter HERE
Find and follow us on Social Media 

Hebden Bridge Arts is the trading name of Hebden Bridge Arts Festival Limited, a company limited by guarantee and registered in England & Wales with company number 3520619. Its registered office is 12 Market Street, Hebden Bridge, HX7 6AD. Hebden Bridge Arts Festival Limited is registered with the Charity Commission with charity number 1070600.