Art in the Environment at Anglesey Abbey

Children, parents and staff from the Croft, a residential assessment unit on the Ida Darwin site, have had the opportunity to take part in art workshops during the school holidays at Anglesey Abbey, a national trust site in Lode, Cambridgeshire. Richard Todd, head gardener at Anglesey Abbey has a strong commitment to working with community groups in the grounds, and especially in relation to work experience. This was a new venture and one of the first art workshops that has taken place there.

Environmental artist Lee Whitehead has been working with the groups using various art-forms with an emphasis on respect of the environment. The participants are encouraged to use found objects that have fallen from trees and bushes for making sculptures and paintings and to learn about the natural environment. There is an insect hotel and bird hide that have been a source of inspiration as well as the therapeutic atmosphere of the grounds and woodlands at the Abbey.