Dorset National Landscape has been chosen as one of six key hubs in the innovative Nature Calling programme, a national initiative that connects artists, writers, and communities to the UK’s most iconic natural spaces. Today, as part of this groundbreaking collaboration, the much-anticipated work This Patch of Land by acclaimed writer Louisa Adjoa Parker was unveiled, offering a deeply personal and poetic exploration of Dorset’s landscapes.
A New Voice for Dorset’s Landscapes
Louisa Adjoa Parker, a southwest-based writer of English-Ghanaian heritage, is celebrated for her diverse portfolio spanning poetry, fiction, and prose, as well as her work on ethnically diverse histories. Commissioned under the Nature Calling programme, her latest piece was inspired by an extensive exploration of Dorset’s ancient landscapes. Through conversations with farmers, schoolchildren, community groups, and other local residents, Parker captured the intimate and varied relationships people share with their environment.
Describing the work, Parker explains:
“I lived in Dorset for 25 years and have always loved being out in the landscape and learning as much as I can, but the commission for Nature Calling gave me the opportunity to find out so much more. I heard from children and young people, farmers and land managers, people with accessibility needs, artists, storytellers, and archaeological or wildlife experts, and this brought the land to life. Each and every conversation helped shape the piece.”
She added that the project highlighted the enthusiasm and depth of connection people feel toward their surroundings, emphasising the importance of making these landscapes accessible to all.
Part of a National Artistic Movement
Parker’s work is part of a larger effort to spotlight England’s 34 National Landscapes, including iconic sites such as Pendle Hill in the Forest of Bowland, Bodmin Moor in Cornwall, and Dedham Vale’s Willy Lott’s Farm, immortalised in Constable’s The Hay Wain. These landscapes are home to a remarkable diversity of wildlife, agriculture, and history, covering 15% of England’s land and 20% of its coastline.
The Nature Calling programme, funded by Arts Council England and Defra, aims to bring these landscapes to life through art. The initiative includes written pieces, like Parker’s, which form the first phase of a broader national arts season planned for 2025. From May to October 2025, communities across England will present co-created artworks inspired by their local landscapes, reaching tens of thousands of people.
Diverse Voices, Shared Connection
Alongside This Patch of Land, the National Landscapes Association has also released new work by artists and poets from across England. These include OneDa from Manchester, MOBO award-winner Still Shadey from Croydon, up-and-coming poet Ayesha Chouglay, and Luton-based poet and educator Lee Nelson. Each piece offers fresh perspectives on connecting with England’s natural heritage.
John Watkins, Chief Executive of the National Landscapes Association, expressed his excitement about the programme’s scope and impact:
“Our aim through Nature Calling is to support people from all walks of life to find new ways to connect with their National Landscapes on their terms – either for the first or the thousandth time. There is truly something for everyone amongst these pieces.”
A Local Celebration with Global Implications
In Dorset, the local collaboration between the Dorset National Landscape team and Activate Performing Arts has been pivotal. Tom Munro, representing Dorset National Landscape, praised Parker’s work for amplifying the “unheard voices” of those who live and work in the area:
“‘This Patch of Land’ is an evocative reflection of the rich patchwork of lives and landscapes that make this area so special.”
Kate Wood and Bill Gee, Co-Executive Artistic Producers of Activate Performing Arts, added:
“All these writers have made such thoughtful and fresh responses to these old and special landscapes. They are a brilliant start and inspiration to the larger programme of major commissions that will engage so many people both who live within and without the National Landscapes.”
Looking Ahead
As excitement builds for the full Nature Calling a Celebrating Dorset’s National Landscape Through Art: The Launch of This Patch of Land by Louisa Adjoa Parker’s season in 2025, the release of This Patch of Land marks a powerful reminder of the enduring connections between people and place. With its focus on inclusivity, creativity, and community collaboration, the programme promises to transform how we see and engage with the landscapes that define our nation.
For more information and to get involved, visit www.naturecalling.org.uk.
