Workshops - Summer 2025
We're very pleased to announce our summer programme of workshops in Constable Country, delivered by Frazer Merrick (CLIP) and Kelly Ann Buckley. They are free to participants but there are limited numbers so please reserve your place by getting a free ticket on Evenbrite. Parking is available in the National Trust Car Park which costs £6 for cars, £2 for motorbikes, and there are free Disabled parking bays down the lane. All workshops will start from The Granary in Flatford and you can find more information about the building and directions here. The workshops have been kindly supported by National Trust Flatford.
The excellent posters were designed by Charlotte Wright from @joeandcharlotte
The excellent posters were designed by Charlotte Wright from @joeandcharlotte
Deep Listening: Oral & Aural Landscapes – Letters to Constable
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Tune into the Flatford soundscape through deep listening and sound mapping, then write a letter to Constable reflecting on how the sonic landscape has changed 250 years after his birth.
Sit, slow down, and tune in to the sonic layers of Constable country. In this relaxed morning workshop led by artist, writer, and composer Kelly Ann Buckley (K-A-B), you’ll explore the soundscape of the environment through deep listening and gentle sound mapping, culminating in the writing of a short letter to John Constable - a sonic homage, 250 years after his birth. We’ll begin with a gentle introduction to soundscape ecology, Constable’s quick sketches vs his more careful painting compositions, and his evocative letter writing. His own words - "the sound of water escaping from mill-dams, willows, old rotten planks, slimy posts and brickwork. I love such things," - will act as a prompt for your personal reflection on the modern soundscape. Participants will choose a quiet spot, listen deeply, and respond through hand-drawn sound maps, exploring elements of graphic scores, and a short letter to Constable, describing how the landscape and its sounds have changed over two and a half centuries. This is a low-activity, strictly tech-free workshop - ideal for those wanting to get off screens and reconnect through pencil, paper, the meditative aspect of focused listening and the joy of writing, all inspired by Constable's soundscapes and land. Date: 5 & 6 August Time: 11am – 1pm Location: The Granary and surrounding area Open to: Adults or adults with older children (suggested 10+; children must be accompanied by an adult caregiver). Tickets: Eventbrite. |
Flatford Sonic Explorers: Secret Signals
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Use parabolic mics, contact mics, and plant-powered bio-sonification to investigate nature’s hidden frequencies.
Become a Flatford Sonic Explorer and tune into nature’s secret signals. In this playful and interactive workshop led by artist and composer K-A-B, you’ll explore the landscape using both ears and tech, including parabolic listening devices, contact mics, and biodata sonification tools. We’ll explore the contrasts between human and non-human sounds, the heard and the hidden, and respond through creative listening challenges and activities. Participants will record document responses through written prompts, symbolic sketches, or visual sound notations, thinking like artists and listening like scientists. All tech and materials provided. Participants may bring their own listening devices (used at their own risk). Date: 5 & 6 August Time: 2pm – 4pm Location: The Granary, Flatford and surrounding area Open to: Adults and families with children (suggested age 8+) children must be accompanied by an adult caregiver) Tickets: Eventbrite. |
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Hidden Sounds Listening Walk
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Explore the constable landscape with special microphones to uncover the sounds hidden in plain sight.
Lead by award winning music social enterprise, CLIP, you’ll discover the unique soundscape from the bottom of the river stour, to the tops of trees, and sketch/doodle/draw/mark your own interpretation of the landscape based purely on sound. No equipment, or experience required. All materials provided. Date: 12 & 13th August Time: 10am - 12pm, 1pm - 3pm Location: The Granary, Flatford Open to: AM sessions for a family audience. PM sessions 16+ Tickets: Eventbrite morning and afternoon |
Experimental Soundscape Orchestra: A Creative Day Workshop
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An improvised experimental soundscape orchestra built from found sounds, poetic cues and collaborative listening inspired by Constable's landscapes.
Join artist, writer, and composer K-A-B for a full-day creative workshop combining landscape listening, sound mapping, poetic writing, and the collaborative formation of an experimental soundscape orchestra. In the morning, we’ll explore the Flatford land and soundscape, through deep listening and sound mapping, noting dynamics and capturing impressions via elements of graphic score, and lyrical lines. These sonic sketches will act as a nod to Constable’s own studies - loose, immediate, and rich with atmospheric potential. [Please bring your own food for the lunch break] In the afternoon, we’ll take these sketches forward to form a group-composed, improvised orchestra - using found objects, unconventional instruments, and the human voice and body to respond to and reimagine the landscape’s soundscape. No musical experience is needed - only curiosity, creativity, and a willingness to collaborate and play. Participants are welcome to bring their own listening devices, or portable acoustic instruments, or just use materials provided. You are responsible for the usage and care of your own equipment. This workshop is designed for all creatives - soundmakers, writers, artists, performers, and anyone drawn to the sonic poetics of place. Date: 23 August Time: 11am – 4pm (with lunch break) Location: The Granary, Flatford Open to: Adult creatives (ages 18+) Tickets: Eventbrite |
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Composing the landscape:
An introduction to field recording and composing with Ableton
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Experiment with music technology to record the sounds of Constable country, and turn them into musical performance.
Lead by sound artist Frazer Merrick, you’ll explore a range of equipment to record sound and then spend the afternoon using the software Ableton to compose your own short composition. No prior experience necessary. [Please bring your own food for the lunch break] All equipment provided, however you are welcome to bring your own. Date: 4th October Time: 10am - 3pm Location: The Granary, Flatford Open to: Ages 18+ Tickets: Eventbrite |
Exhibition - Summer 2026 |
Live events - Summer 2026 |
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More info shortly.
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More info shortly.
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