Heathland Wisdom

To many of us, heathland is that sort of wasteland that nothing useful seems to grow upon; plenty of rough sand and useless gorse. We see it in tiny patches as we visit a modern trading park or industrial estate: lumps of worthless land with the occasional prickly gorse, or a lone pine tree with high, yet few branches.

"Great for building development and nothing else"; we might think or say.

But could there be something else? It’s worth a consideration at least before we condemn it, in its entirety, to be host to housing overspill, or yet another industrial estate.

Thomas Hardy, our native Grand old Man of English Literature demonstrates time and time again, in his writings, his vast knowledge of the ways and customs of country life. He never failed for a moment to send his characters, great or small, off to the Heath whenever they needed advice, help, or a means of ‘personal replenishment’.

This instinct conveyed by the great man is reflected today in the pleasure to be had in walking on professionally managed open heathland. It is there to be experienced in the form of nature reserves and other areas set aside for our enjoyment, and for the enjoyment of our children and generations yet to come.

As if to convey the overall magic, Hardy "combined" the divided tracts of heathland, that lay between Dorchester and Bournemouth or Swanage, into his own Egdon Heath. Here he gives us a taste of the people who eked out a living on such land, and who helped to maintain the interests and wellbeing of those who dwelt in the more fertile areas.

"Heathland Wisdom"

During the "Purbeck Aware Festival" (25^th. May to 16^th. June 2002) there are opportunities to discover more about this magic of the Heath. On every Wednesday during the Festival, the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (R.S.P.B.) will be conducting walks around the beautiful reserves of Arne Peninsula; one in the morning and one in the afternoon. At 12.30pm, both parties can witness a half-hour, specially written live performance, which includes music and song, and which will provide an intriguing insight into the old natives of the heath and of their culture, folklore and mysterious ways.

This performance, commissioned by English Nature’s "Hardy’s Egdon Heath Project" and entitled "Heathland Wisdom", will be presented by its author, East Dorset based actor Raymond Sargent, together with Lucy Roberts and Will Ferris; two Dorset-based musicians who have a strong background in the English Tradition. Both Lucy and Will are members of "Endangered Species", the Dorset-based folk-musical group who are nationally acclaimed for their performances of such shows as "Tolpuddle Man" and "England Expects

So why not visit Arne and experience, first-hand, the beauties of Heathland and it’s ancient yet timeless Wisdom. The walk and the performance are free (although donations are welcome) but booking is strongly recommended.

"Heathland Wisdom" at Arne:


	Circa 1911; somewhere on "Egdon Heath". The Edwardian folk-song collector befriends a pair of gypsies.


The collector explains the legacy of Victorian "supremacy" that results in his conditioned attitude towards the gypsies and their music.


	The collector notes down the words and tunes of the songs.....


.....but is baffled and intrigued by their strange, haunting modes.


	The "wise" collector has much to learn: the gypsy reveals the wonders of oral learning, and the immense values of heathland flora, such as heather and broom.


The collector, still amazed at the magical qualities possessed by the gypsies, struggles to note down the final vibrant song, followed by a cracking jig!

the Gypsy........................Will Ferris
the Gypsy's Wife.........Lucy Roberts
the Collector.........Raymond Sargent

"Heathland Wisdom" written by Raymond Sargent.

with special thanks to....

....the R.S.P.B., for providing the materials (hazel poles) for the gypsy's "bender" (dwelling).

....Jo and Ged of the R.S.P.B., for building the 'bender'.

....the Royal Armoured Corps, Lulworth Ranges, Dorset, for providing the cover for the
'bender'.

....the Bull Hotel, East Street, Bridport, Dorset, for provision
of rehearsal space.

....Wimborne Drama and the Tivoli Theatre, Wimborne Minster, Dorset, also for provision
of rehearsal space.

....Muriel Brooks, Julia Thomas and Alice Montgomery, for being "on the book" during
rehearsals.

Do you think Heathland Wisdom would complement your event?
Click here for further information.

And why not take a look at the educational possibilities; particularly in the areas of History, Environmental Studies and Humanities.