Nature Calling
The Chilterns is one of six major hubs across England taking part in Nature Calling: a ground-breaking £2m national arts programme, designed to connect and deepen people’s engagement with the landscape.
About Nature Calling
Nature Calling aims to inspire new communities to connect with their local National Landscape, increase their access to nature, improve their wellbeing and inspire a sense of belonging in these special places. The project is funded by Arts Council England and the Department for Environment, Farming and Rural Affairs (Defra), as well as National Landscapes in England. Partners include the National Landscape Association, Activate Performing Arts and the Poetry School.
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New Writing and Artistic Commissions
In the Chilterns, activity will be focused in and around Luton, with a programme of co-created artistic activity taking place between May and September 2025. Through Nature Calling our ambition is to engage with communities we haven’t worked with before and to support more inclusive access to the countryside. We are working in partnership with Revoluton Arts (a Luton based arts organisation), supporting a writing commission and an artist commission.
The starting point is words, and we are delighted to be working with Lutonian writer Lee Nelson. Through a series of events at special outdoor locations, Lee is inviting local people to share memories, stories and experiences prompted by the local landscape. The contributions will then be part of shaping the collection of poetry that Lee is writing about the landscapes surrounding Luton.
“All humans can feel the land beneath them, the sky above them and the heart within them – the chance to try to draw people out of the town to feel what they can feel on the top of a hill, feel what they can feel when close to a natural water source . . . if this work can help make that connection between humanity and the land then the first step towards something glorious has been taken” Lee Nelson
Lee Nelson
Our selected artist is Matthew Rosier who creates public artworks with communities across the UK. His practice involves the public in both the creation process and finished work, creating immersive installations that connect people with their shared heritage, landscapes and each other. Luton Henge will form the centre piece of 3 Community Celebrations due to take place summer 2025 in the Luton area.
“Luton Henge will be a new community monument made from the Chilterns National Landscape, inspired by its ancient rituals and structures, and celebrating culture in Luton today. For me this project is a rare and wonderful opportunity to create new relationships between the unique landscape of the Chilterns, those who were first drawn to it thousands of years before, and those who call it home today”. Matthew Rosier
Matthew Rosier ft. Luton Airport Dancers
Find out more about Nature Calling on the dedicated website www.naturecalling.org.uk
Find out more about the other National Landscape hubs and their work here:
- Dorset National Landscape
- Forest of Bowland National Landscape
- Lincolnshire Wolds National Landscape
- Mendip Hills National Landscape
- Surrey Hills National Landscape
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Matthew Rosier
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