From Moss to Message: A Hands-On Creative Workshop
Get your voice heard and your hands dirty.
Creative workshop led by Mick Chesterman and live moss cultivation by Gillian Wrigley (Calderdale Sphagnum Moss Project).
In this session, you’ll start with an expert talk from Bridestones Rewilding and Gillian Wrigley, where you’ll learn all about the incredible role of Sphagnum moss on moorlands. She’ll explain how it acts like a sponge, slowing down rainwater and preventing it from rushing down hillsides.
After that, you’ll get hands-on with a practical session where you’ll learn how to cultivate Sphagnum moss plugs – a chance to roll up your sleeves and get your hands dirty!
Then, you’ll choose something from what you’ve learned – maybe moss, leaky dams, or water butts – and create a campaign to share your message of how to reduce flooding in your community. You could come up with a catchy slogan, design banners or placards, write or even record your ideas. There will also be some optional drama-style activities to workshop your concepts and bring them to life.
Everyone aged 14+ welcome.
When
Saturday 25 January
2pm – 5pm
Where
Todmorden College
Pex Tenament Room
Burnley Rd
Todmorden
OL14 7BX
Price
FREE
Mick Chesterman
Workshop leader
Mick Chesterman teaches at Manchester Metropolitan University, specialising in project-based learning. His PhD research involves families exploring cultural and ecological issues related to making games and media together. He has a strong background in teaching media making to facilitate positive change for various social groups.
In recent years, he has led several outreach programmes in local communities and schools in collaboration with the University, focusing on creative coding and the use of physical materials. Mick is also the founder of Todmorden Makery, a community workshop operating as a volunteer-led organisation that works with adults, young people, and families to create and repair objects for well-being, education, and environmental benefit.
Gillian Wrigley
Sphagnum Project Officer for Calderdale Council
In 2024 she was included in the Environment 100 list for her innovative work cultivating sphagnum moss and inspiring others to follow suit.
Sphagnum moss was once the dominant plant on Calderdale’s hilltops, soaking up rain water as it fell and preserving the carbon in organic matter as peat. Poisoning from The Industrial Revolution and historic land management led to its decline and a prevalence of dry heather and grass dominated moors familiar to us. Gill and a team of volunteers are on a mission to bring back the bog.
