Cut to the Chase This new arts project aims to establish the reality of life on Cannock Chase and uses video, creative writing, animation and graphics to record opinions about the Chase’s future management from people who live and work in and around the area. During November, in conjunction with Staffordshire Arts & Museums Service, Altiplano Productions and the Rural Media Company, a series of filmed interviews, creative writing and animation workshops were held. Workers from Pottal Pool Quarry, Rugeley Power Station and the Forestry Commission were interviewed for their views. Creative writer Dave Reeves encouraged people visiting Cannock and Stafford libraries to use poetry and prose to express their opinions. Animation workshop leaders Jesper Nors and Matt Parker worked with pupils from Walton High School and Cannock School’s Support Unit to create sequences based on young people’s visions of what Cannock Chase could Those of you who saw our first newsletter will be aware of the Home Wood Bound and Beyond arts project aimed at stimulating involvement and debate about Cannock Chase AONB by producing sculptures inspired by the Chase. In December, all those involved in the project had the chance to see their completed sculptures (designed around issues such as fire awareness, grazing and human impact) in a natural setting at Birches Valley Forest Centre. A trail of the sculptures, which included a majestic stag, a grazing cow, hedgehogs, foxes and many others, was set up as part of an event celebrating the whole of Home Wood Bound and Beyond. People had the opportunity to talk to the artists, see a video and slides taken during the project and finally visit the Forestry Commission’s Christmas marquees before the event came to a close. Home Wood Bound Exhibition It’s hoped that the sculptures will go on more permanent exhibition within the AONB next spring, in the meantime, we’d like to say a very big thank you to everyone involved in the project. Punch Bowl Punch Bowl Blossom the Cow by Cannock Wood Flower Club and Gentleshaw WI Designed by Sheila Adams Blossom the Cow by Cannock Wood Flower Club and Gentleshaw WI Designed by Sheila Adams Blossom the Cow by Cannock Wood Flower Club and Gentleshaw WI Designed by Sheila Adams Punch Bowl become in the future if it’s not sensitively managed. The completed video will be available in visitor centres and at events in summer 2003 and used as part of the public consultation over the Draft Cannock Chase AONB Management Plan currently being produced. Picture courtesy of Trent Valley Photographic Society Rugeley Power Station Rugeley Power Station Rugeley Power Station Events Arena Nine Gates Hazelslade Castle Ring Gentleshaw Common Shoal Hill Common Gentleshaw Wood Guide/Scout Camp Beaudesert Wandon Grand Lodge PYE GREEN HEDNESFORD STAFFORD RUGELEY CANNOCK British Telecom Tower Toc H Trail Kit Bag Hill Marquis Stile Cop Rd Rugeley Rd Drive Moors Gorse Rawnsley Hills Golf Course Rawnsley Cannock Wood Rd Rd Museum of Cannock Chase Waymarked Routes to visitor centres from Hednesford Railway Station Railway to Walsall Railway to Stafford Brindley Heath Bradbury Rd Green Heath Rd Birches Valley Forest Centre Stafford Brook Rd To Lichfield Brereton Spurs Bower Lane Silvertrees Shooting Butts Rd. Birches Valley Rd. Penkridge Bank Rifle Range Corner Whitehouse Katyn Memorial Ansons Bank Bednall Belt Chase Camp Rd Rd. Springslade Lodge Aspen Penkridge A34 Pye Green Rd. Cocksparrow Lane. Pottal Pool Peace Vista Military Cemetries Chase Rd. Corner Womere Quarry Glacial Boulder Dry Pits Trig Point Coppice Hill Brocton Coppice Satnall Hills Coldmans Slade Essex Bridge Little Haywood Great Haywood A51 to Stone Milford Common A513 A513 Haywood Warren Abrahams Valley South Street Seven Springs Punch Bowl Harts Hill Weetmans Bridge Trent & Mersey Canal Staffs & Worcs Canal River Trent A51 A460 Etching Hill Slitting Mill Brocton Milford Tixall Stepping Stones Horse Hills Sherbrook Valley Wolseley Bridge Oat Hill Shugborough Hall, Park Farm & County Museum and AONB Unit Nature Reserve Sycamores Hill Oldacre Valley Penkridge Bank Rd Country Park Information Other public land A.O.N.B. Car Park Vehicle Tracks Cafe Viewpoint Picnic Place Public House Bicycle Tracks Staffordshire Way Way for the Millennium Heart of England Way Forest of Mercia Way Self guided trails Main Walks Shops Emergency Phone Cannock Forest Toilet 0 Kilometres Miles 1 0 1 Tackeroo Fairoak Pools Cannock Cannock Chase Visitor Centre Cannock Chase AONB