I am nearly completely thrown by how many people turn up to hear the introduction for my final research project ‘The Stitched Atlas’. It is lucky I had arranged to use a bigger room – it is the Council Chambers so rather grand and overlooks Corn Square which feels the heart of Leominster. I explain the rationale for my research and my focus on rural place through the stories and songs of Ella Mary Leather and that the group will be working collaboratively to create a ‘Stitched Atlas’.
It is a bigger commitment than my other case study looking at shared places of common lands, as I am holding weekly drop in sessions for one year, with quite a few gaps for bank holidays. In these sessions I will gather some of my data by reflecting on the conversations we have, so it is important to me that potential participants are able to make a lot of the sessions. Some people realise the project is not quite for them, so after the first three sessions it is looking like I will have just about the right number I was hoping for, and that can fit comfortably and safely in the lovely room.
I will be documenting the progress of this project on this blog, through session summaries and participants’ contributions where they give permission to share them.
The Stitched Atlas 