High Peak Community Arts were very happy to install a beautiful flock of ceramic birds in the gardens of Reuben’s Retreat in Glossop, unveiled by the Mayor of the High Peak, Cllr Linda Grooby, on 18^th October 2018. 

The birds were created by Project eARTh participants, working with the acclaimed ceramic artist Caroline Chouler- Tissier. Participants had expressed a wish to make some art work for Reuben’s Retreat, a Glossop charity that aims to provide a retreat to relieve the distress of families and their close friends who have suffered the bereavement of a child, or who have a child suffering from a life limiting or life threatening illness. Reuben’s Retreat said they would love some ceramic birds, and so the project began.

This project is particularly poignant as Reuben (in whose memory the Retreat was established by his bereaved parents) used to love looking at ‘birdies’ in his garden before he tragically died aged 23 months.

Participants used reference books and posters to select a variety of garden birds to design, and with the assistance of Caroline, set about creating them in clay, then using oxides, slips and glazes to add colour.  23 birds on steel poles were placed in one garden area, in memory of the 23 months of Reuben’s life, and more birds were placed by the entrance, and in a bird feeding area that can be viewed from the Lodge – the bereavement, counselling and support centre.

On 18^th October, participants were warmly welcomed by the staff at Reuben’s, and delighted to see the results of their work in the beautiful settings. “It’s been a lovely project” said Alison Bowry from High Peak Community Arts.  “Each bird is different, and I love how they have expressions and characters of their own. We certainly had a great deal of fun creating them. I hope the children and families enjoy looking at them, and the sight of the birds helps to lift their spirits.”

Project eARTh is an environmental arts and health project for adults in the High Peak experiencing mental distress or other long term conditions. It runs 2 groups per week, and is free to attend with free transport for those who need it. Working with professional artists, participants work together to create art works for the community. It is funded by the Big Lottery Fund.

Do take a look at Reuben’s Retreat website to see the work the fantastic work that they are doing, how you can help, or how they can support you.  For details visit: https://www.reubensretreat.org or call 01457 680 023.