The River Path The River Path
Songs and Writings
Every river has its songs, stories and poetry, and the Stour is no exception. From Spencer's 'Stoure with terrible aspect' through Thomas Hardy and William Barnes (whose 'Linden Lea' may even have had its gestation during a stroll across Sturminster Newton's Colber Bridge) to James Crowden to-day, the river has always inspired evocations of its qualities by artists of every discipline.
You can read some of James Crowden's poems on-line, including his river poem 'Springhead at Fontmell Magna'.
The Stour's musical legacy has been enhanced in recent years by CONFLUENCE, a project from Common Ground which worked to help and encourage local people, regardless of experience or musical training, to make their own music in celebration of the river.
Confluence is featured extensively on www.commonground.org.uk
Over three years between 1998 and 2001 composer Karen Wimhurst and animateur Helen Porter worked with people of all ages across the catchment: more than 200 pieces of music were created, from folk-songs to electronics, jazz and pop to orchestral. New instruments, constructed from plumbing spares, were invented, built and played. Choirs and singing groups were formed, people came together in informal composing workshops, and a regular music club was inaugurated.
The music at the top of this page is an excerpt from 'At Lordsmead Bridge' by Sue Langford, a housewife from Mere, Wilts, who joined Confluence's composing workshops with no previous experience of composition.
You can look at a complete list of all the music written as part of confluence on www.commonground.org.uk. CDs are available featuring selected highlights, the concert Otter - Lutra lutra on the Stour, and Silver Messenger, the finale of the project recorded in Christchurch Priory. Visit our Publications pages to buy copies.
Inspired by Karen Wimhurst's composition 'Downstream, that's another story', James Crowden wrote 'Downstream Effects - The River Stour'.
