The Somerset Journey does Battle for the Winds!

Wonderful!

Yesterday finally saw the spectacular conclusion to The Somerset Journey, where our Wind Gatherers, their vehicle, The Big Noise Band and local performers were in Weymouth for The Battle for the Winds! Somerset was joined with, Devon, Dorset, Gloucestershire, Cornwall, Wiltshire and The West of England and their wind gathering vehicles and performers in an afternoon procession by the sea followed by an evening performance on Weymouth beach produced and starring 'Cirque Bijou' and 'Desperate Men'. The day concluded in style with 2012 torches being lit on Weymouth beach and carried out into the sea by 2012 people. The whole day had many fantastic delights and spectacles of creativity, performance, music and gymnastics to be seen. Hundreds of local people from the South West, Weymouth and beyond came to watch the performances and even more local people have taken part in the processions, the organising, creating and making that has gone into creating Battle for the Winds. A wonderful day had by all, thank you to all that took part in our journey this summer and to those who performed and came out to watch yesterday in Weymouth. Thank you all!

We still hope to continue the journey later this year...Watch this space!

The Somerset Wind Gatherers prepare alongside the Wind Gathering Vehicle in Weymouth.

The Big Noise Band warming up in the sun!

The Wind Conductor AKA Tim Hill rehearses with The Big Noise Band

The Ark Hive during the procession in Weymouth.

Thunder and Lightening Man in Weymouth.

Chime Child searching for the wind...

In Weymouth we were joined by the Cirque Bijou performers.

The trombones in The Big Noise Band!

What is 'Sounding out Somerset'?

Sounding out Somerset

Listen…………….

“ we are the wind gatherers, sound crunchers and story munchers  We love noise!. We would love you to join us on our quest to sound out Somerset”

Our journey begins in Taunton on the 21st of May from where we will visit schools, hill tops, beaches, coves, pubs, town centres, village greens and anywhere where the wind takes us

Who are we?

We are a group of performers, musicians and story tellers known as, ‘The Wind Gatherers’, who collect and exchange sounds, stories and songs as we travel.

How to get involved

-          Perhaps you know a song that is local to your area? Past or present.

-          A local story that you want to share with us? No tale is too tall or too small.

-          A sound that you think is beautiful or perhaps unusual in some way?

-          A place that you know where sounds are amplified or sound different?

-          A place where the wind sings or makes a great sound

If any of the above strike a chord, we would love to hear from you. Please get in touch with our route navigator, Natalie Parsley on somersetjourney@yahoo.co.uk

These sounds, stories and songs will be Somerset’s contribution to a big celebration of the South West on Weymouth Beach on July 28^th. This is called The Battle for the Winds’ and marks the opening of the London 2012 Olympic Sailing Events. Go to www.battleforthewinds.com for more details.

Thank you for listening.

Natalie Parsley

Coordinator and navigator