Exploring Sheffield’s waterways through eco-poetry

Events Culture and media

The free Writing the Water workshops are open to the public and will explore our connection to Sheffield's waterways and share the experiences, past and present, of communities bordering the canal.

Workshops will take place on a chartered barge, there will be two cruises on the day (Saturday 18 November), embarking on the boat at Victoria Quays and then cruising along the Sheffield and Tinsley Canal.

Amy Carter Gordon, Innovation Manager at Hallam’s Culture and Creativity Research Institute, said: “We are delighted to be partnering with Opus Independents and the River Don Project on this event, celebrating our individual and collective relationships to nature. Our community curator, Ella Barrett will be sharing stories from communities bordering the canal, giving voice to different experiences of domestic and industrial life along the canal.”

The first workshop will be family friendly, starting at 10AM and led by Poet Laureate of Sheffield Danae Wellington.

Danae will be exploring four myths that centre around water and rivers: the Celtic river goddess Danu, the Jamaican tale of the River Mumma and her golden table, the West-African Mami Wata, and Yoruba river goddess Obba Nani.

The workshop will look at what connects these myths, what they teach us about the land and water around us and ourselves. Attendees of this workshop will also write their own myths and tales about the water and discover magical worlds that live deep beneath them.

The second trip will be with Professor of Ecopoetry and Poetics at Sheffield Hallam, Harriet Tarlo. Guests will be the first to hear a reading of a newly commissioned poem by Harriet, inspired by Sheffield’s waterways.

There will be the opportunity to take part in a guided ecopoetic workshop, writing poetry focussed on the industrial and natural past, present and future of the canal’s landscape.

Everyone is welcome to the workshops and prior writing experience is not needed. Guests are encouraged to bring along any memories, photographs or stories that are connected to Sheffield’s waterways.

Being Human is the UK’s national festival of the humanities and returns for 2023 with the theme of ‘Rhyme or Reason’ from 9-18 November.

Through a 10-day programme of big ideas, big debates and engaging activities for all ages, the festival showcases how the humanities help us understand ourselves, our relationships with others and the challenges we face in a changing world.

Writing the Water was awarded funding to be part of the festival by organisers, the School of Advanced Study, University of London, and festival partners the Arts and Humanities Research Council and the British Academy.

Tickets to the workshops can be booked via eventbrite.