Issue link: https://read.uberflip.com/i/1528621
9 hills above Westerham. It visits different habitats along the valley, including bluebell woods, ancient trees, wildflower meadow, water meadow, lakes, and the chalk stream itself. Along the way the artist introduces us to a diversity of creaturely characters and reveals some surprising facts about the local wildlife. The story concludes at sunset in the Dartford Marshes, where the Darent flows out into the Thames. In 2023 Stream of Consciousness was toured at events across the Darent Valley. Viewers at the galleries are invited to wear VR headsets to immerse themselves in this unique experience. Kit Boyd – Kit Boyd worked for many years for the Campaign to Protect Rural England, a role which chimed with his artistic concerns of our relationship with the landscape and our place in nature. Kit then moved for a few years to mid Wales to concentrate on his creative work, and now, working from his studio in Greenwich, frequently visits the Darent Valley to keep in touch with Palmer's visionary period in Shoreham, Kent. He works within the British romantic tradition and his recent commissions with the Darent Valley Community Rail Partnership (six artworks relating to stops along the Darent Valley Line, for rail posters promoting the area) draw heavily on Kit's fascination with Palmer and all those he influenced. Sarah Newman lives in Shoreham and her interest in Palmer began when an art-collector family friend remarked that she had moved not just to Shoreham but to 'Palmer's Shoreham' some 20 years ago. She recently worked with Victoria Threlfall to create the Samuel Palmer Trail – part of the DVLPS Darent Valley Trails app – and has led several walks around the village, telling stories about quirky, creative or influential people who chose to live in the Valley. She worked as a director on BBC's CountryFile and produced an environmental history series for the BBC/CNN, exploring how humans have shaped the landscape over millennia, and her love of nature and walking combine in this exhibition!