​​​​​We welcome you to join us in the village of Denton, on the edge of the Nidderdale National Landscape for a full day of singing and songwriting inspired by curlew.

Curlew have inspired both musicians and poets for centuries, their haunting call evoking a wide range of feelings – including a strong sense of the wild; as well as feelings of both sorrow and joy. Curlew also provide an urgent reminder to humanity, urging us to remember what truly matters – our ancestors, as well as those that will follow us; fellow inhabitants of ancient places.

We will work with musician Mary Keith, to practice three songs written in 2024 for the Pennine Hills Curlew Choir – as well as creating new music together. We’ll use spontaneous writing exercises to produce words and set these words to music.

There’s no requirement to read music, as everything will be taught by ear (though we’ll have scores available). You don’t need any singing experience to take part.

Feel free to bring a musical instrument as well as your voice – to play as part of the choral arrangements – or simply to be inspired to write your own instrumental pieces.

Our Day will start at 10.30am in St Helen’s Church, built in 1776, to service Denton Hall.
The location of St Helen’s Church is: Main Street, Denton, LS29 0HQ

In the afternoon, we’ll change locations to Denton Moorland Bothy – a converted shooting hut on top of Denton Moor.  (We can arrange transport for those who can’t manage the short walk). This “alternative” space commands a view over curlew country – a former shooting hut it has been converted to cater for community groups, involved in work to restore the landscape at Denton Reserve. The space was recently used by Sound Artist Sarah Smout in her piece “Bog Bothy”, as part of the ACE Bogs project. Listen here: https://www.yppartnership.org.uk/ace-bogs-exhibition-sarah-smout

We’ll use this bothy space to perform, record and sing in.

The event will bring together members of the Chapel FM Arts Centre, from Seacroft, East Leeds:https://www.chapelfm.co.uk/ with members of the Pennine Hills Curlew Choir. We also welcome volunteers from the Denton Reserve and Denton village. This event is a side shoot of Ground Nest Fest, the week-long celebration of Ground Nesting Birds, happening across the Yorkshire Dales and Nidderdale: Check it out here:https://www.ywt.org.uk/events/ground-nest-fest