A Winter Solstice podcast

As a collage of spoken word, music and field recordings, this sound piece speaks to the importance of re-rooting ourselves in place and in the earth itself, and the holding of hope in the depths of winter. It draws on Dwellbeing Shieldfield’s work about land, food security and the future of a neighbourhood amidst development pressures. In a celebration of the Winter Solstice the words spoken oscillate between light and dark, hope and sorrow, where the discarded pine cones of felled trees slowly sprout green shoots and life emerges in spite of the razing of buildings and the drilling of earth.

This podcast was made as part of Dwellbeing Shieldfield’s Shieling programme and was originally broadcast on the Star and Shadow Radio as part of their Winter Solstice celebrations.

Featuring

The words and voices of Alison Merritt Smith, Ken Mallon, Charity Akingbade and Andii Bowsher

The songs 'The Holy Ground' and 'The Soil' by David Benjamin Blower, and 'Mythical Rest' by Lydia Hiorns (guitar by James Deaville)

Prayers from the book 'The Celtic Wheel of the Year' by Tess Ward

The essay 'The Street is for Celebration' by Thomas Merton

Recorded and edited by Julia Heslop

Thanks to Martin Heslop, The Forum Cafe and 'Mixing Bowl' at Shieldfield Art Works