A reflective walk with Emma Decent and her poetry and prose.
A magical and unique experience of landscape, writing and performance. On this slow-paced, guided walk in the landscape Emma shares poetry and prose inspired by the land that she loves. Reflecting on time, memory and being where you are now, this is an experience to put your feet on the ground and your heart at centre.
Words in the Wild hit the zeitgeist in Todmorden in 2020 providing calm, connection with nature and reflection in a challenging year. The event drew people from Lancaster, Wakefield, Bradford and Manchester as well as locals discovering a beautiful corner of their landscape they never knew before. It has shown what is magically possible in terms of live outdoor performance and is now available in Todmorden – and other locations – by arrangement and private group bookings (please enquire).
Words in the Wild is an opportunity to engage deeply with the landscape and the words Emma offers – an inner and outer journey. There are 15 stops along the way for Emma’s reflective poetry and prose, much of which connects to the landscape. The walking is done mostly in silence to give space to connect with the landscape through opening the senses, allowing thoughts and inner chatter to subside, and let any reflections to arise. At the end there is time to share responses and chat. A compelling outdoor performance of Emma’s original work. Duration of event 1¾-2 hours.
On booking Emma will send directions to the start (and finish) point.
Due to it being a largely reflective experience Words in the Wild is not suitable for children under 14 or dogs, sorry.
‘It was wonderful to hear Emma recite her work in the landscape that inspires her. The words flew off the page.’ Kate
‘Talented Emma gives words to the voices of our valley – its rocks, its hills, its trees.’ Ros
‘A magical experience.’ Karen
‘The poems were particularly moving set against the landscape. The evocative image of stories under the stones was very powerful.’ Rachel
‘A wonderful and unusual way to experience this beautiful landscape.’ Jen
2 routes are available in Cornholme, Todmorden.
Regular route
The regular route is 2.1 miles along moderate to strenuous public footpaths. It involves climbing up a hill, round the top and down again. It is mostly moderate, well-worn paths. It begins with a gradual, meandering climb on a wide path, with a steep drop on one side at one point. After flattening at the top there is a more challenging steep descent, followed by a short uneven narrow stretch of pathway with a drop close to one side. The rest of the walk is gently declining or flat. There are 4 stiles, 3 of which are quite tall but very sturdy.
Light route
This route is 1.25 miles, easy-moderate in difficulty. It is mostly flat with some gentle slopes rising and descending and no stiles. There are some narrow areas of pathway. There are places along route to rest or sit on a wall or bank. Please bring walking poles or a walking stick seat for extra support if you need it.
Both routes are circular and are taken at a slow pace with 15 stops along the way. Neither route is suitable for people with serious mobility difficulties or wheelchair users unfortunately. Participants undertake the walk at their own risk.
If you would like a map or have any questions please contact Emma. See the dates below for when each route is running or contact Emma about your preference.
‘A lovely afternoon. It was so well-paced, well-planned (suitable even for dodgy knees), calming & your words were in perfect symmetry with the dramatic landscape. Thank you.’ Hilary
COVID19 and safety
Words in the Wild takes place outside with small and socially distanced audiences. Emma has been double vaccinated and does lateral flow tests on a regular basis.
Please do not attend if you feel poorly, have any symptoms of Covid19 or have been in close contact with anyone who has.
Emma carries a first aid kit and fully charged mobile phone. Please wear suitable walking boots or shoes. Bring an extra layer, a drink, your own hand sanitiser, walking poles and anything else you need for your own precautions.
DATES Words in the Wild is running regularly in Cornholme for group bookings. It is also available in other locations by arrangement.
Dates are built around you and a group of friends or family, or even for a poetry, writing or walking group you are part of. Plan a time to suit you (including dog friendly, child-friendly and sunset options). The walk in finishes at a lovely spot where you can stay and and socialise after the event, or walk to the nearby Staff of Life for food and drink. Contact Emma to discuss and arrange.
Group bookings include a free Words in the Wild pamphlet.
PAYMENT Groups up to 5 = £75 (£15 each) Groups up to 7 = £100 Groups of 8+ Contact Emma to discuss
‘Thanks for a very special walk yesterday. I loved the location and the wonderful views and your presence of quiet and stillness. I hadn’t realised how much I needed that. Your poems are beautiful, you say so much in a few words. The peacefulness of the walk will stay with me.’ Sue from Barrowford
‘When I came on the walk I was feeling quite low in spirits following on from the whole experience of lockdown. I found that listening to Emma’s thoughtful and timeless words in this lovely landscape lifted my mood and helped me regain a sense of perspective on life.’ Anna
‘Dave and I really enjoyed our afternoon on Words in the Wild. Emma made sure that everyone was made to feel welcome and her beautiful prose and poetry was perfectly matched to the the landscape. We walked, listened, reflected and shared in the joy that Emma clearly has for the hills that she walks every day.’ Alison
‘I really enjoyed yesterday’s walk. I have to admit I don’t much like listening to poetry read live, especially poetry I’m not familiar with, it can be too intense to take in. However, you have developed a style that is performance friendly without compromising on the poetry. I also really liked your introductory remarks: in these uncertain and anxious times, I felt we all knew where we were. So thanks for all that. A lovely afternoon.’
‘What a privilege to be part of this walk and listen to Emma’s words in such beautiful surroundings. I found the whole experience to be profoundly moving. The word that kept coming into my head as I walked and listened was tender. For our connection to the earth, to the sky, to each other, and the way Emma’s words wove all these elements together.’
‘Thank you for the lovely walk yesterday. I want you to know how good an experience it was for me. I am shy of groups, rarely walk with others and much prefer silence. So what a treat to be with others and be allowed that space and silence. From the grounding you did at the beginning and all along the route, the atmosphere you created was sacred to me, intimate and also expansive in the ideas presented of the disappearing selves. The quiet space poem moved me to tears and echoed a deep need, to be still, to matter.’ June
‘Thank you so much for the poetry walk, such a beautiful, quiet route you found. I loved the reflective nature of the whole experience, how your words brought you right into the landscape in a very intimate, unique way. Gazing upwards while listening to your poem about the skies was wonderful! I found several of the poems particularly moving when set against the landscape – the evocative image of stories under the stones was very powerful.’ Rachel
‘The walk is led by talented Emma who gives words to the voices of our valley, it’s rocks, it’s hills it’s trees, inspiring a deep love for our landscape and instilling a desire to know and be close to our own hills.’ Ros
‘This was a magical experience, listening to Emma’s beautiful poems while walking in the landscape that inspired them.’ Karen
‘A new way of experiencing the hills you might already know and love. Step out with Emma, away from the day-to-day, for a unique walk through the woods and upland. A perfect combination of mindful strolling interspersed with poems and prose to spark the imagination.’ Jo
‘There’s something wonderful about hearing Emma recite her work in the landscape that inspires her. The words flew off the page.’ Kate
‘A wonderful and unusual way to experience this beautiful landscape.’ Jen
Bringing the Outside In
For an at home experience get a group of friends together on Zoom for a unique shared live online performance of Words in the Wild including beautiful landscape photography and film. If you can’t get out you can still share poems and magic. See these short poetic films for a taste Every Day and The Quiet Space. Email Emma for prices and to arrange. emmadecent@talk21.com
A Words in the Wild pamphlet of all the pieces is also available for sale.
