A Measure of Care

A Measure of Care with Ian Nesbitt

We took a ledger from the 1800s out of the Harris Museum archives back to the house it was written. We met with the decendent of the author and local farmers, birders, residents, ornithologists, conservationists & historians to reflect on what they read.

A Measure of Care charts expressions of love, care and grief across three moments in time. The ledger itself, completed in 1888, is displayed accompanied by an audio recording read by John Weld's decendent. Stepping forward 137 years to the present day, the two screen film (32 mins, looped) shows contemporary footage from within the 5 mile radius. Hearing from local farmers, birders, residents, ornithologists, conservationists & historians reflect on the many changes that have taken place since John Weld's time, and the rapid decline of bird species. Stepping another 137 years into a spectulative future, the film shows a loan archivist engaged in the care of skins of the now extinct birds.

John Weld (1813-1888) was a Victorian landowner, antiquarian, naturalist, and amateur painter who lived in Leagram Hall, Chipping in the Forest of Bowland. During his lifetime, Weld made detailed records of many aspects of his local area and beyond. in his ledger entitled Flora and Fauna of Leagram and Neighbourhood, he introduces 'a list of birds observed or taken in the neighbourhood of Leagram within a radius of 4 - 5 miles from the hall'. A detailed set of observations relating to 112 bird species over a fifty year period from 1836 until his death.

Acknowledgements:

Particpants: Andrew Berry, David Hindle, Frank Hoyle, Graham Hulme, Muriel Lord, Lucie Mascord, John Weld-Blundell, Tarja Wilson
Thanks: Lucie Mascord, Conservation Officer. Natural History & Enviromental Management, Cultural Service, Lancashire County Council

Ann Thompson, Harris Volunteer

Tarja Wilson, Forest of Bowland Trust

Co-Commissioned by Harris Museum and In Certain Places

Photographs by Simon Critchley