Chellow Dean, Allerton

7th May 2023

I've enjoyed spending one to one time with this one, because I don't get to do that that often...and we drew the same thing so that's really cool.

Eleven of us gathered, in the drizzle, just before dawn outside the Fleece Inn at the corner of Allerton Road and North Parade in Allerton this morning.

Our walk leader Chris, handed out torches, sit mats and waterproofs to those that wanted them and then leds us to a spot in the woods on the edge of Chellow Dean.

This Sense Of Place event was planned to be part of Reveille 2023, an international broadcast of the Dawn Chorus from around the globe.

Our plan was to broadcast the sounds we heard as part of that event. Unfortunately there were technical problems at their end that meant we would not be able to connect our stream, but we did make a recording.

When stayed in the woods for about 40 minutes, as twilight turn into sunrise at 5:20am, witnessing the dawning of the day.

Some people did some drawing, others simply took in the land and soundscape.

At sunrise, Julie served up hot chocolate and croissants for everyone, and after a group photo and a moment of reflection we were led back to the Fleece (in the daylight), said our farewells and headed home.

(I liked) the hot chocolate.

Climate Impact

We have tried to make this a low-carbon event by design, targetting a local audience, for a local event.

In the run up to the event, the biggest carbon impact was car travel between Bingley and Allerton by some or the organisers. However, much of the local organisation was done locally, reducing the need for those trips.

On the day, the biggest carbon impact of this event was probably travel to the event. Our walk leader needed to use a car to bring health and safety equipment (waterproofs, carry mats, torches) along. Three people came from outside of the area by car (including organisers). Some people that lived nearby also drove a short distance because of the wet weather. The maximum distance travelled was 3 miles.

Our other Carbon Costs were in the materials we used. The outdoor gear came from a community resource, so is re-used often(i.e. no-one needed to buy a new torch or waterproof to take part). People brought their own drawing materials (i.e. we didn’t buy anything new for the project)

Sound

Audio: A Sense of Place. Allerton - 7th May 2023 04:37

We began to record at 04:37 - the official start of twighlight, as we arrived at the site. The recording ends at 05:20 - the official time of sunrise that day.

Gallery

Something completely different.

Bird list

We ran the recording of the event through the bird identification app Merlin and it identified the following:

Robin
Wren
Crow
Wood Pigeon
Chaffinch
Song Thrush
Great Tit

Upcoming Events

Cliffe Castle, Keighley

International Dawn Chorus Day (Reveille 2024)

Sunday 5th May 2024

Cliffe Castle, Keighley

Twilight: 04:39
Sun Rise: 05:19

Meet 4:30am at the car park at Cliffe Castle, Spring Gardens Lane, Keighley, BD20 6LH.

Listen Live

We'll walk as a group from the car park into the grounds of Cliffe Castle to a spot overlooking the Aire Valley.

If it's raining we will go to the undercover area by the cafe.

We will stay there until the sun has risen (5:19am) and witness the dawning of the day.

We will broadcast the sounds we hear as part of Reveille 2024, an international broadcast of the Dawn Chorus from around the globe.

We anticipate that people will make their own creative responses to the event through drawing, writing, poetry, and so on.

Once the sun has risen you people can make their own way home in their own time.

Please Note

You will arrive in the dark, before the sun rises. Bring a torch.
This event is aimed at people living within walking distance of the site. In order to keep this a low carbon event we would ask that people do not travel by car unless they need to.
The event will take place whatever the weather - unless there is a severe weather warning.
You will need to be self-sufficient for about 2 hours. You are responsible for your own welfare at this event.
There are no amenities that we can guarantee will be open at the time of the event e.g. toilets, cafe, shops.

You might bring

A torch - both to see and to be seen.
Appropriate clothing for the weather and terrain. Walking boots, water proof clothing, spare layers, hat, gloves.
An umbrella.
You may be stationary, outside for about an hour or more. Some people may bring sleeping bags.
Food and drink.
Something to sit on. A camping/carry mat or a fold up chair.
An audio recording device (a phone would do).
Notepad and pen for writing or drawing.
Your creative craft/activity.

Past Events