A collaborative project with local communities walking and listening in Exeter’s Green Circle
Sound artist Emma Welton was commissioned to lead sound walks which encouraged awareness of both the natural and man-made environment, with local communities near the Green Circle routes in Beacon Heath (Mincinglake) and Exwick (Redhills). RAMM curator Tom Cadbury brought in historical and archaeological knowledge and interesting artefacts to link the walk location with the past. This knowledge was also derived from university research conducted by Dr Stephen Ripon and Dr James Clark from the University of Exeter.
The facts
This project was one of three pilot projects under Creative Arc (a collaboration between RAMM, Exeter City Council and the University of Exeter which explores how the museum and its collections can help shape a better Exeter). This particular project addressed the theme of health and wellbeing and aimed to offer a wellbeing experience that connected local communities near the Green Circle routes in Exeter with their history and heritage.
The meditative and mindful practice of soundwalks was chosen to reflect the research of the Rowan Group (university psychology dept, Drs Matt Owens and Hannah Bunce) who are researching the effect of nature on wellbeing. The project also supported Exeter City Council’s Sport England funded work, encouraging the use of Exeter’s Green Circle for both physical and mental health.
The details
A series of six walks were held over a 3-week span in late Sept – mid Oct 2022. Each walk was marketed at a different group or demographic, initially by sharing information directly with local groups, as well as an open call to participate.
Student volunteers were recruited from the university drama department to help to record some of the walks. All participants and partners were invited to a final event at the museum, where two sound pieces were shared (one by Emma Welton the sound artist and one by Michela Riccardi, student volunteer).
What next?
Content from the commissioned SoundTracks walks will be made available through the app Go Jauntly, which acts as a walking guide and also provides opportunity for other content to enhance the experience of walking a particular route, such as sound clips, photographs etc.
Emma’s sound piece Hearing Mincinglake, Autumn 2022 created using content collected through this commission can be listened to on RAMM’s Soundcloud platform (LINK). The piece is designed to be listened to through headphones.
Emma Welton has made a large collection of Exeter Sound Walk maps, some of which cover the Green Circle and are available on her website EXETER SOUND WALKS – Emma Welton . These are designed to be printed and taken on a walk.
Student Michela Riccardi’s recordings of the sound walks can also be accessed on RAMM’s Soundcloud platform (LINK).
What did people say?
All responding participants reported that they had learned more about local history and heritage and were positive about the walk as a collaborative experience, with the majority reporting an improved sense of wellbeing afterwards.
- ‘It was nice to visit Mincinglake and St Katherine’s Priory in a relaxed way where we could think about the history.’ My standout moment: ‘Paying attention to something different: the sound, the history of the place/area.
- ‘I was much more aware of my feelings and general state of mind after the walk.’
- [Mood after having been on the walk] ‘Relaxed and calm having been out in nature and slowed down to experience the sights and sounds around us.’
- ‘On my walks, I listen more than I used to and it is another enjoyable aspect which I was missing out on.’
Further information
Ruth Gidley
Engagement Officer, RAMM
All photo copyright: Leone Hampton
