As I outlined in my proposal, I would be exploring those ’emotional landscapes’ which hold the greatest sense of belonging, those in which my memories are contained and forever embedded in the natural landscape. I have often returned to Guiting for my creative practice as it was central stage to playing out out my childhood years, alongside my sister and our grandmother, aunts, uncles and cousins.

When I see the images by Fergus Heron, among others, I am reminded of a module I did for my BA, where I photographed in Guiting Wood. I called the project ‘Back To My Roots’ and produced a simple book (printed by Blurb) to sit alongside larger prints, exhibition standard prints. I am reminded of just how much emotional impact this module had on me and how this body of work was one I always intended to grow. It was work that I felt connected to on a deep level.

From the series ‘Back To My Roots’ Lucy Taylor, 2018

I visit here frequently to reconnect and still my mind, often taking a ‘silent’ walk, ie by myself and no other sounds other than the environment. I try to contemplate my surroundings, what stories can I tell about this place? This landscape is where I achieve a sense of self, through these mindful stories, evoked from memories and moments lived out here.

The landscape has changed a lot in the last 7 years. Much of what was visible before, is now hidden below new vegetation. Some of the trees have gone, either a result of the elements or from woodland management. My grandfather used to look after the pumping station here, as well as ensuring the integrity of the woodland environment. His diary contains details of trees planted and the costs involved from that time.

My earlier work centres around my family history, specifically my maternal grandmother. However, my recent discovery of my grandfather’s working diary from 1967 was an unexpected turning point for this project. With Temple Guiting and the surrounding area being those ‘landscapes of meaning’ from my childhood and the place I feel the greatest connection to. I have determined that this place contains the essence of my childhood and the lives of my close relatives and our ancestors.

‘Grampy’ worked for Corpus Christie College, employed to manage & care for their land in and around Temple Guiting. His diary is a record of daily duties and hours worked, There are mentions of water pump maintenance and taking delivery of tree species for the various plantations that he looked as well as occasional issues, e.g. ‘Landover stuck in reverse’ which gave me a chuckle. This diary is poignant as it stops in October, which was when he was diagnosed with lung cancer (a smoker since his role as a soldier in WW2). He died the following March, when my mother was just 13.  

Revisiting Guiting as a place of deep connection, has helped me to refine my ideas for the FMP. I will study this landscape with Dacha and investigate its deeper significance.