BE KINDER: Part of The People's Landscapes Project

The National Trust is proud to look after landscapes where people have come together to shape the history of our nation. This year, 200 years after the massacre of peaceful protesters at Peterloo in Manchester, we’ll be uncovering stories of passion and protest hidden just beneath the surface at National Trust places.

 

 

The People's Landscapes Project

The legacy of Peterloo, a critical moment in democracy, echoes down the centuries as a symbol of the power of people coming together in a landscape to make their voices heard. That’s why the National Trust is marking its 200th anniversary through ‘People’s Landscapes’, a national series of creative events and exhibitions across the country in 2019.

As part of People’s Landscapes, five National Trust places are the focus of a national contemporary art project, collaborating with internationally renowned artist, Jeremy Deller. Each of these places is working with an additional artist to develop unique creative ideas relevant to their history of protest.

With the fight for access deeply embedded in the Peak District, musician Jarvis Cocker is working with the Dark Peak team to develop a creative programme inspired by the story of the 1932 Kinder Mass Trespass.

Trespassers take to the hills
Black and white image of Kinder mass trespass
Trespassers take to the hills

 

The BE KINDER walking trail

This summer in the Peak District, will mark almost 90 years since the famous mass trespass on Kinder Scout of 1932 with the BE KINDER walking trail; as part of our national People's Landscapes Project. BE KINDER was created in collaboration with former Pulp front man and BBC Radio 6 presenter Jarvis Cocker, along with Turner Prize-winning artist Jeremy Deller and other artists, working with local community groups.

The trail encourages people to think about the importance of being kind to this incredible natural habitat, as well as honouring the individuals who fought for our rights of way; allowing future generations to enjoy and protect this spectacular landscape for years to come.

Artists Trish Evans and Nick Humphreys of INSTAR created links to the local community and worked with local Junior Rangers and students from Outwood Academy in Sheffield, to encourage them to voice their ideas on looking after what we've got, their concerns around climate change, and inspiring action in how to be kind to Kinder.

 

 

Junior Rangers and the Trespass Elders discuss the importance of the Kinder landscape
Junior Rangers and the Trespass Elders discuss the importance of the Kinder landscape
Junior Rangers and the Trespass Elders discuss the importance of the Kinder landscape

The trail launch

The BE KINDER walking trail begins on the 6th July  - 15th September 10am - 16:00pm. The trail takes 3 hours and is loosely based on a Mass Trespass route starting from the Penny Pot cafe next to Edale Train Station. Collect your free trail map from the Penny Pot or alternatively the map will be available to download from our website (watch this space!).  

Walkers can start their journey with a burst of music on Ruth Ewan's juke box which plays songs inspired by passion and protest, including 'The Manchester Rambler' by singer/songwriter Ewan McColl which was developed from his participation in the trespass. Other art surprises include a 'Cinebarn' with a tiny rural screen showing a selection of film clips by great directors and amateurs, inspired by the Kinder Scout landscape. Passages from the Derbyshire based novel 'Reservoir 13' by Jon McGregor will be hidden for people to discover.

Jarvis Cocker and Jemery Deller in the Peak District
Jarvis Cocker and Jeremy Deller in the Peak District
Jarvis Cocker and Jemery Deller in the Peak District

Train it like the trespassers

People are encouraged to arrive by way of the Sheffield, Manchester train and explore the trail on foot, discovering artistic interpretations along the way. The significance of arriving by train echoes back to the 24th of April in 1932 when three groups set out to trespass on Kinder Scout, approaching from different directions. You can find the train and bus timetables here:

https://www.nationalrail.co.uk/

https://www.travelsouthyorkshire.com/

 

BE KINDER volunteers

If you would like to get involved in the BE KINDER trail we would love to hear from you. We are looking for volunteers to engage with the public, helping them to get the most of the trail, and patrol volunteers, ensuring that people explore the trail responsibly, helping them to keep to the footpaths and leave the countryside undisturbed. If you think you fit one of these roles, please get in touch by emailing peakdistrict@nationaltrust.org.uk.

Dark Peak Walk Guides choosing a route for their next walk
Dark Peak Walk Guides choosing a route for their next walk
Dark Peak Walk Guides choosing a route for their next walk

In the words of Jarvis

"This project is about reinforcing the original trespassers' message: the landscape belongs to everyone - whilst making the point that the preservation of the landscape has now become EVERYONE'S responsibility.

Be kind to the landscape.

Be kind to the environment.

Then stop, close your eyes for a moment and think of how to be kinder.

To Be Kinder.

Thank you."
 

People's Landscape is supported using public funding by the National Lottery through Arts Council England and with additional support from Art Fund.