Celebrating the estuary of the Taw/Torridge River through walks, performance and sound recordings

Stepping Out is a programme of distinctive, fun and captivating outdoor performance in towns and rural areas around the Taw/Torridge Estuary. Through these experiences, we aim to encourage people to come together to experience familiar places in unfamiliar ways – places that sit within the North Devon Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty and outlying towns and villages. Stepping Out is part of a series of events celebrating the 60th Anniversary of the North Devon AONB.

What we mean by ‘performance’ is quite open ended – it might involve theatrical characters interacting with the people in the street or on the beach, audiences joining us on a creative walk, or being immersed in a sensory experience of sound. All events are free.

Ebb & Flow: creative walks

Join us on a unique, shared journey, through the ever changing landscape of the estuary. We’ll consider the shifting earth beneath our feet, the routes of migrating birds and the tales that have imprinted theselves onto these places. We’ll talk, find objects, listen to recorded sounds and look at things sideways.

Book your free tickets

28th September, Crow Point, Braunton Burrows, 1.45 for 2pm start

29th September, Crow Point, Braunton Burrows, 1.45 for 2pm start

Having investigated Northam Burrows in June, this second walk explores the other Taw side of the estuary along Braunton Burrows and the Saunton Sands coastline. While this place may already be familiar to you, we’ll experience it together, in new and unfamiliar ways.

We’ll talk, find objects, listen to recorded sounds and look at things sideways.

This is a circular walk, developed in partnership with Christies Estates, which will cover 2 – 3 miles over uneven ground. We will walk for about 1 1/2 hours with frequent stops and creative interludes along the way.

• Come prepared to walk 2-3 miles with suitable outdoor footwear
• Bring clothing suitable for the weather
• We will provide light refreshments but you may wish to bring water
• Walks are suitable for young people aged 13+
• We cross uneven ground, so we are unable to accommodate wheelchairs or pushchairs
• As these are group walks, we request that dogs stay at home
• Numbers are limited to 20 per walk
• Tickets are FREE and advanced booking is essential

Please note, performance duration and finish times may vary, depending on the walking pace of each group. The walks will start and finish from Crow Point Carpark.

Please join us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram for updates.

Oystercatchers: strolling theatre

The Estuary of the Torridge and Taw Rivers is an important habitat for wading birds and the Oystercatcher is one of the most characterful residents. Some live here all year round and others visit from northern climes during the winter. We have worked with a brilliant team to create a pair of curious characters – half human, half bird – who will be taking to the streets and a beach near you. We hope to draw attention to this fascinating bird and encourage people to look out for their future.

• 14th September – in Bideford Town Centre and Northam Burrows
• 15th September – in Barnstaple Town Centre and Saunton Sands

Grab your binoculars and see if you can spot them as they go about their business, searching for rich pickings. You can see what they’ve found and perhaps make a trade.

Please join our mailing list here or follow us on social media to find out exactly where and when they’ll be popping up. And if you upload a photo, you’re in for a chance of winning one of our lovely mugs.

Click here to find out more about the ideas behind the performance

Creek: sounds of the estuary

We worked with Ed Jobbing (Forkbeard Fantasy) to consider how we might explore the Taw and Torridge Estuary through sound. The results were a series of sound recordings and compositions and the creation of an immersive sound experience. We will be developing this with the help of Braunton visually impaired friendship group and offering it for the public to enjoy in Barnstaple on Wednesday 18th Sep (tbc) – follow us on social media or join our mailing list for more information.

Stepping Out is supported with funding from Arts Council England and the North Devon Coast Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty. The North Devon Coast AONB funding is supported through their Sustainable Development Fund (SDF) which is funded by Defra. Stepping Out is part of a series of events celebrating the 60th Anniversary of the North Devon AONB.

If you or your organisation are interested in getting involved, please contact us: paschale@redherringproductions.co.uk

Images are licensed to the creative commons.