REVEAL, RECONNECT, REIMAGINE
Ruskin in Wyre
An Innovative Project Celebrating John Ruskin’s Legacy in the Wyre Forest
ABOUT
The Project
The Ruskin in Wyre project is an exciting programme of events and workshops which will take place over the two years leading up to Ruskin’s bicentenary in 2019.
The project will explore how John Ruskin’s idea of a utopian community in the forest is informing the revitalisation of this ancient woodland. It will tell the story of what happened here, bringing it to life and sharing the relevance of the ideas behind it for today.
We hope you’ll join us in exploring the forest or turning your hand to a new craft and that you’ll be as inspired as we are by the stories of the past and our vision for the future of what is now known as Ruskin Land.
ABOUT
The Project
The Ruskin in Wyre project is an exciting programme of events and workshops which will take place over the two years leading up to Ruskin’s bicentenary in 2019.
The project will explore how John Ruskin’s idea of a utopian community in the forest is informing the revitalisation of this ancient woodland. It will tell the story of what happened here, bringing it to life and sharing the relevance of the ideas behind it for today.
We hope you’ll join us in exploring the forest or turning your hand to a new craft and that you’ll be as inspired as we are by the stories of the past and our vision for the future of what is now known as Ruskin Land.
ABOUT
The Project
The Ruskin in Wyre project is an exciting programme of events and workshops which will take place over the two years leading up to Ruskin’s bicentenary in 2019.
The project will explore how John Ruskin’s idea of a utopian community in the forest is informing the revitalisation of this ancient woodland. It will tell the story of what happened here, bringing it to life and sharing the relevance of the ideas behind it for today.
We hope you’ll join us in exploring the forest or turning your hand to a new craft and that you’ll be as inspired as we are by the stories of the past and our vision for the future of what is now known as Ruskin Land.
MORE
Past, Present & Future
RUSKIN LAND
Ruskin Land is an area of the Wyre Forest in Worcestershire cared for by the Guild of St George and managed by the Wyre Community Land Trust.
It was given to the Victorian polymath in the 1870s and has been managed by his Guild since then. The Ruskin in Wyre project aims to explore what happened at Ruskin Land and how Ruskin’s ideas have been incorporated into the modern forest.
RUSKIN’S IDEAS
The mission of Ruskin’s Guild was ‘to take some small piece of English Land, beautiful, peaceful and fruitful’, to provide opportunities for working people to cultivate land and reconnect with nature.
Ruskin’s ideas remain relevant today and it is our mission to reinterpret them in meaningful, creative and productive ways for a new generation.
CRAFT
The project seeks to deepen the links between the community and the forest through a wide range of events and activities.
Making, of all kind and varieties, will be a key part of what we have planned, and there will be opportunities for people to work with our artist in residence who will be using our oak to create beautiful things.
COMMUNITY
We hope that local people, and those from further afield, will engage with the project by sharing their memories, going on guided walks, visiting our exhibitions and taking part in craft activities.
The two year programme begins this summer and concludes in 2019 when the bicentenary of Ruskin’s birth will be celebrated. Watch out for details of the launch event at Bewdley Museum taking place on Monday 24th July.
RUSKIN LAND
Ruskin Land is an area of the Wyre Forest in Worcestershire cared for by the Guild of St George and managed by the Wyre Community Land Trust.
It was given to the Victorian polymath in the 1870s and has been managed by his Guild since then. The Ruskin in Wyre project aims to explore what happened at Ruskin Land and how Ruskin’s ideas have been incorporated into the modern forest.
RUSKIN’S IDEAS
The mission of Ruskin’s Guild was ‘to take some small piece of English Land, beautiful, peaceful and fruitful’, to provide opportunities for working people to cultivate land and reconnect with nature.
Ruskin’s ideas remain relevant today and it is our mission to reinterpret them in meaningful, creative and productive ways for a new generation.
CRAFT
The project seeks to deepen the links between the community and the forest through a wide range of events and activities.
Making, of all kind and varieties, will be a key part of what we have planned, and there will be opportunities for people to work with our artist in residence who will be using our oak to create beautiful things.
COMMUNITY
We hope that local people, and those from further afield, will engage with the project by sharing their memories, going on guided walks, visiting our exhibitions and taking part in craft activities.
The two year programme begins this summer and concludes in 2019 when the bicentenary of Ruskin’s birth will be celebrated. Watch out for details of the launch event at Bewdley Museum taking place on Monday 24th July.
RUSKIN LAND
Ruskin Land is an area of the Wyre Forest in Worcestershire cared for by the Guild of St George and managed by the Wyre Community Land Trust.
It was given to the Victorian polymath in the 1870s and has been managed by his Guild since then. The Ruskin in Wyre project aims to explore what happened at Ruskin Land and how Ruskin’s ideas have been incorporated into the modern forest.
RUSKIN’S IDEAS
The mission of Ruskin’s Guild was ‘to take some small piece of English Land, beautiful, peaceful and fruitful’, to provide opportunities for working people to cultivate land and reconnect with nature.
Ruskin’s ideas remain relevant today and it is our mission to reinterpret them in meaningful, creative and productive ways for a new generation.
CRAFT
The project seeks to deepen the links between the community and the forest through a wide range of events and activities.
Making, of all kind and varieties, will be a key part of what we have planned, and there will be opportunities for people to work with our artist in residence who will be using our oak to create beautiful things.
COMMUNITY
We hope that local people, and those from further afield, will engage with the project by sharing their memories, going on guided walks, visiting our exhibitions and taking part in craft activities.
The two year programme begins this summer and concludes in 2019 when the bicentenary of Ruskin’s birth will be celebrated. Watch out for details of the launch event at Bewdley Museum taking place on Monday 24th July.
THE HERITAGE
Digging deeper into the story behind Ruskin Land
THE HISTORY
Find out more about the early days at Ruskin Land.
RUSKIN'S IDEAS
Find out how relevant Ruskin’s ideas are for today.
OUR WORK
What we’ve achieved so far
RESTORING THE LAND
Find out more about the forest.
MAKING BY HAND
Find out how we’re following Ruskin’s lead.
COMING SOON
Our exciting plans for the next two years
ARTISAN IN RESIDENCE
At Ruskin Land we want our timber to be productive, to go from our trees to beautiful products. As a part of this Project we are appointing a craftsperson to push this further. We aim to get local people and communities involved in small and large making projects. There will be a range of opportunities to create things and learn new skills in our woodyard and workshop.
A WALK IN THE WOODS
Ruskin Land is a beautiful place to visit, but it is also hidden away in the Forest. During the project we will welcome people to come and share and explore it, for informal and formal occasions. Our project will tell the landscape story of Ruskin Land, and the people associated with it, including celebrating William Graham, it’s first settler. A special trail in his honour will be created.
STUDIO IN THE WOODS
Building in oak is often associated with chunky timber frames. Part of our project will be to push the boundaries of our timber in a contemporary context, exploring new ways to use it. We will work with inspirational architects, architectural schools and timber framers on designing and constructing new buildings. As part of our 2018 Festival of Making we will host Studio In The Woods, an annual event that brings together a creative audience to testbed ideas.
EXHIBITIONS AND ACTIVITIES
Ruskin Land is a place that has, in the past, been more functional than celebrated. We plan to change that. A series of exciting activities will take place over the next two years leading to an exhibition in 2019, the bicentenary of Ruskin’s birth. There will be something for everyone to get involved in.
Join us to receive news from the forest!
For more information about the project, events and courses call us on
01299 488083
or email us: [email protected]
St Georges Farm
Tanners Hill
Bewdley
DY12 2LS
