Kidsgrove Canal Nature Recovery

Artist Researcher Anna Francis was commissioned by Appetite, Stoke's Creative People and Places organisation and Canal and River Trust in 2023 initially to undertake a research residency on the Kidsgrove Canal, and then to programme a series of monthly walks and events which took place between 2023 and 2025.
This included public themed walks and two public art trails of artworks created by students on the BA Fine Art course in March 2023 and March 2024 as part of the Professional Practice and Placement module which Anna Francis leads.

Kidsgrove Canal Nature Recovery was a research and development project for Kidsgrove Canal, to understand more about the canal as a site for potential leisure and social activity, developing ecologies and a destination for walkers. The project aimed to identify and work with canal users, volunteers and communities surrounding the canal, in order to find ways of working together which could support developing ecologies and biodiversity, and potentially locating a group to consider longer term approaches to the canal and its development as a space for coming together.

Stage one of the project was documented on Appetite's Public Blog, Anna Francis wrote:

As a Stoke-on-Trent based artist I have been making work which explores urban nature for more than a decade. This has included leading urban nature walks, the creation of various floral trails and guides, events which connect people to nature and taking the lead on transforming a disused garden into a pocket park.
I am really pleased to be beginning a research residency on Kidsgrove Canal, commissioned by Appetite and The Canal and River Trust, and look forward to connecting with Kidsgrove people to find out what they love about the canal, and how they use it now, but also aiming to work together with people locally to begin to think further about how canals and greenways can provide important access to nature for urban areas, and to explore the relationship between humans and nature.

Through the work on the canal, I will look at the biodiversity of the plants and creatures that live on the canal, and to map and track local ecologies of the canal. I am keen to begin conversations with organisations and individuals who would like to consider what Nature Recovery looks and feels like in relation to the Kidsgrove canal, and beginning with questions about the role of canals in supporting nature.

I will be hosting walks and workshops over the next 6 months which connect to the canal and its human and non-human neighbours.

Appetite advertised the walks series with the following text:

Take a walk – or four!

Reconnecting with nature and water is a great way to banish the winter blues! From November to March, Appetite and artist Anna Francis are hosting a series of nature-inspired walks along the Trent and Mersey canal at Kidsgrove.

Each walk will have something different. As the seasons progress into deep winter you’ll explore the changes in the landscape with fellow walkers as well as some very special guests. Whether you are interested in foraging, nature or simply joining a friendly activity with others in your neighbourhood, Anna wants you to come along for the walk!

The first Kidsgrove Canal Nature Recovery Walk took place on Saturday 11 November. You can read all about it in our blog, where you can also download a free guide to the walk including information on the plant species you will see.

Schedule

Sunday 10 December 2023 1 – 3pm Foraging Walk

On this winter foraging walk you will be joined by forager and fermenter Emma Cronin of Wild Pickle. Along the way you will note the surprising number of things that can be foraged in December, and also get an overview of the Forager’s Code of Practice.

Saturday 13 January 2024 11am – 1pm Biodiversity Walk

Artist Anna and the group will be joined on this walk by a special guest! Andrea Ku is a beekeeper and biodiversity specialist of B4Biodiversity, whose aim is to raise the awareness of urban biodiversity through educational, practical, and creative projects. During this deep winter walk you will explore what is happening in the landscape at this time of year.

Saturday 3 February 2024 11am – 1pm I Birder’s Special

In the spirit of the RSP Big Garden Birdwatch, Anna and the group will be joined by artist and nature enthusiast Ben Sadler. Whether you’re a keen sketcher or simply admire our feathered friends, you’re sure to be fascinated as we take a look at the birds who live along the canal.

Saturday 2 March 2024 12 – 3.30pm Foraging & Biodiversity

For the walk series finale there will be two walks with forager and fermenter Emma Cronin of Wild Pickle showing you new things to eat for free as we head into spring. PLUS students on the Staffordshire University Fine Art Course will be hosting an art trail of their work, hands-on activities and mindful meditation sessions throughout the day. Pick up a map from the lodge and explore the art trail at leisure or take a guided walk. Here is a how the day looks:

12pm-3pm Drop-in creative activities and meditation sessions with the students. Plus take part in a Pollinator Habitat Survey with biodiversity specialist Andrea Ku.
12pm Foraging walk
1pm Guided tour of the student art trail
2pm Foraging walk
Booking for the foraging walks on 2 March via Eventbrite is a must. Walk-ups slots MAY be available on the day if people who have booked don’t attend and will be offered on a ‘first come first served’ basis to a maximum capacity of 25 people for the walk.

Stage two of the project involved another series of walks for the public, and Anna designed a nature resource for the Canal and River Trust volunteers to use within the Lodge beside the canal. This series included a walk for Staffordshire Sight loss group and for artist researcher Deb Rogers and her Menopausal Animaladies group.

Appetite advertised this second season with the following:
Due to an overwhelming response from the local community earlier in the year, the Kidsgrove Canal Nature Recovery walk series have returned for the summer.

Appetite are partnering with artist Anna Francis and Canal & River Trust to bring more nature-themed walks along the canal’s pathways.

The new series of walks, which will uncover more about the wonderful species living alongside the canal at Kidsgrove, will also feature new guests with different specialities and areas of interest.
Saturday 22 June - Seeing Nature with Becky Nunes (11am - 1pm) A Nature and photography walk led by Anna Francis with photographer Becky Nunes.

Saturday 20 July - Foraging for Families with Jas (1pm - 3pm) A family friendly summer foraging walk to forage the ingredients for a canalside tea led by Anna Francis with Jasdeep Sandhu

Saturday 17 August - Local Nature Recovery Strategy walk with Natural England

The final walk to take place was Saturday28th June 2025.

Description: Join us on Saturday 28 June for the final and FREE Kidsgrove Canal Nature Recovery Walk. This time walk leader Anna Francis is joined by Nicola Lynes, Chair of the Community Advisory Board for the Staffordshire Local Nature Recovery Strategy. Nicola will share more information about why setting priorities and actions is important for nature recovery in Staffordshire, and the role we can all play in protecting our nearby nature.