Nature Calling: Stories, sounds and sights of the Mendip Hills

In partnership with Mendip Hills National Landscape, we took part in the national Nature Calling programme.  Led by the National Landscapes Association, Nature Calling commissioned public art pieces to encourage communities to explore protected landscapes.

Our commission, View In View Out (VIVO), was a collaboration between composer and lyricist Gwyneth Herbert, sound artist Jason Singh, and nature interpreter Chris Howard and was produced by Sound UK. 

The three artists worked with young people and community groups living in or around Weston-super-Mare to create lyrics, songs and sound recordings based on the stories of living in Weston and the Mendip Hills.

In Spring 2025 the trio led a number of trips and workshops to explore nature in the Mendip Hills, share ideas of what nature is – what it isn’t – and what it might mean to the people of Weston. They also worked with pupils at Windwhistle Primary School to co-create an anthem that celebrates their community. 

This work, together with field recordings and research undertaken during interviews, trips and writing sessions, informed the creation of a unique immersive soundscape, View In, which was unveiled at The Sovereign in Weston super Mare in July.

The View Out element of this collaborative project, invited members of the public to get into nature and discover its wildlife and sounds, through the voices of and of those living in the Mendip Hills and Weston’s South Ward, with a free digital app. 

Armed with the app and a map, locals were encouraged to unlock audio and animated illustrations in an informative and fun interactive trial in one of three outdoor locations – South Ward, Uphill and the Mendip Hills near Wavering Down.

Read about the Caving and Creative Trip to the Mendip for young people in March 2025 HERE

The View in, View out installation was free, open to all and took place at The Sovereign, Weston, from Monday 14 until Sunday 20 July. You can listen to the Soundscape anytime here:

In summer and autumn 2025, immerse yourself in the natural world with View Out, an augmented reality trail of Mendip, in any one of three locations. More about View Out is HERE

Find out more about the project and our writers and artists on the Nature Calling website: naturecalling.org.uk

Visit Mendip Hills National Landscape website: mendiphills-nl.org.uk