‘Rich inside I won’t ever be a pauper, my whole life been a Walker’
Rapper by night, outdoor instructor by day – when covid restrictions allow – Josh is heading to the studio. To get from home in Barrow-in-Furness to meet up with his fellow musicians near Dalton, he’s taking the Slow Ways route. Why? “The rhythm of the walking…it helps me connect to the rhythm of the music.”
6 films of 1-2 minutes’ duration have been created by 2 film-makers to show people in different settings, enjoying walking and making use of Slow Ways for a variety of reasons.
‘Rich inside I won’t ever be a pauper, my whole life been a Walker’ raps Josh on his own Lake District-inspired ‘Great District’ backing track, with lyrics referencing Wainwright and Windermere. Film-maker Henry Iddon said “Josh was a great character to film – as passionate about where he lives as he is about music. To spend time with him exploring how walking can be part of everyday activity for young people in Cumbria was a real pleasure.”
Having captured a unique 2020 perspective with his award-winning ‘Lock Down Rock Up’ film, Nico Hambleton took his camera for 5 separate Slow Ways walks and conversations. The result is a portfolio of 1-minute ‘Slow Ways Voices’ films. From South London to Stratford-upon-Avon to the Shropshire Hills, Cherelle, Mahroof and Belal, Charlotte, Colleen and Jasmine share their motivations for journeying on foot.
Retracing steps from youth, canal-side coot-snapping, creating options for a new Wellbeing Wanderers inclusive walking group – all feature as purposes for making use of Slow Ways. “I’d already spotted the potential of using Slow Ways myself,” said Nico. “Capturing a suite of individual snapshots has been a great way to see a variety of personal interpretations, inspirations, and benefits that walking more can bring to everyone.”
Notes:
Films: Slow Ways – YouTube
‘Slow Ways Voices’ – 5 films by Nico Hambleton
‘Stop – Look – Listen: Home to studio by the Slow Way’ – a film by Henry Iddon & Rich Berry
Slow Ways is creating a national network of walking routes to get more people walking more often, further, and for more purposes, involving the widest audience in a way that represents everyone.
Films are supported with funding from The National Lottery & Sport England. Slow Ways is part of a Sport England-funded innovation open call project to help those most affected by the impact of coronavirus (Covid-19) to get active, with a special focus on unemployed young people aged 18-35 who are living in urban areas, women and Black, Asian and minority ethnic groups.
