The Surrey Hills National Landscape is one of six ‘hub’ locations for the national Nature Calling programme, an ambitious initiative designed to connect communities with England’s National Landscapes through the power of art.
Today, Surrey Hills Arts proudly launches Nature’s Anthem – A Journey through the Surrey Hills by Still Shadey, a MOBO Award-winning artist. His captivating work draws on heartfelt conversations with New Addington residents about their experiences of nature, as well as Shadey’s visits to the Surrey Hills. Combining stories of childhood, community trauma, and healing, the piece delivers a profound message of hope and inspiration.
Commissioned under the Arts Council England and Defra-funded Nature Calling initiative, Still Shadey’s work exemplifies the programme’s mission to co-create art that resonates with local communities and gives a platform for voices who may not traditionally focus on themes of nature and landscape.
“Working on the Nature Calling project has been transformational. It’s been a recent desire of mine to tell stories beyond my own. Being able to experience the Surrey Hills from a writer’s perspective has been therapeutic and energising for me. I look forward to the rollout of this amazing project and am deeply proud of the piece that I was able to create,” said Still Shadey.
The result is a poetic rap, capturing the essence of the Surrey Hills. Filmed at Box Hill, a site integral to his creative process, the performance showcases the landscape’s profound influence on his work. Watch the performance and learn more.
Nature’s Anthem is part of the first phase of a bold national season of art, set to run from May to October 2025. Co-created with local communities, the programme will celebrate England’s 34 National Landscapes, bringing together art, poetry, and music inspired by some of the country’s most iconic locations.
Joining Still Shadey, the National Landscapes Association is today releasing new work by BBC 6 Music favourite, Manchester’s OneDa, Dorset based poet and author Louisa Adjoa Parker, up and coming poet Ayesha Chouglay and poet, educator and proud Lutonian Lee Nelson.
These remarkable places are uniting under the Nature Calling initiative to inspire communities across the nation. With opportunities for collaboration, creativity, and connection, this ambitious programme will engage audiences of tens of thousands.
John Watkins, Chief Executive of the National Landscapes Association said:
“I’m thrilled with the quality and range of written and spoken pieces we’re releasing today as part of the Nature Calling programme. The pieces are incredibly poignant, they are moving and meaningful and beautifully conjure up what the writers felt and thought whilst in a National Landscape. Our aim, through Nature Calling is to support people from all walks of life to find new ways to connect with their National Landscapes on their terms – either for the first or the thousandth time – to discover and share their unique connection. There is truly something for everyone amongst these pieces.”
Coordinated by the National Landscapes Association and produced by Dorset-based Activate Performing Arts, the Nature Calling programme is fostering connections across England. Key partners include the Poetry School and other National Landscapes hubs such as the Chilterns, Dorset, Forest of Bowland, Lincolnshire Wolds, and Surrey Hills.
For more information on how to get involved, visit the Nature Calling website.