Happy Christmas

As the hydro continues spinning through the Christmas holidays we would like to wish a happy Christmas to everyone from Archie and the Directors of Torrs Hydro.

Christmas tree anyone ?

With Archie spinning like a good 'un and Christmas fast approaching Torrs Hydro has worked with local artist Amanda Whewell and New Mills School Y7 group to add to the display of Christmas Trees in St George's Church.

Official opening of the fantastic display is tonight (8 December) with further details here

The Torrs Hydro tree is a collaborative project which has been designed and created by pupils and staff from New Mills School working with local artist Amanda Whewell and using recycled materials including wood and washers collected from the Torrs Hydro site. Hidden within the tree are messages, thoughts, secrets and prayers. Our tree reminds us of the rich textile heritage of the area and looks forward to a sustainable future.

In search of fish...

If any proof was needed of the amount of fish in the water around the Hydro our little friend here captured on film by David King is seen fishing regularly at the bottom of the weir.

Big thanks to all those who have sent in ideas on how to spend £500 - we will keep 'the lines open' for another week before putting it to the vote.

Unwrapping the railings, Archie playing catchup and we need some ideas !

 

Well the recent rains now means that Archie is producing in excess of 50kWh - regular clearances of the intake are required as this time of year leaves and general river debris gradually block the intake (if anyone would like a collection of traffic cones please shout?!) 

 

So if you see some of our volunteers (always in pairs for safety reasons) donning waders and pulling rubbish out of the river do come and say hello.

 

 

 

 

The time has come for the railings to be unwrapped!

'Hello, I'm Still Here' was a temporary installation as part of the New Mills Festival Woolly Wander which is now over, for this year at least.

Over the next few days Amanda will be unwrapping the railings. Each piece of fabric will be kept and used to create another piece of work. 

The intention is to create a ball of yarn from the fabric, this will involve plaiting, braiding, stitching and knotting. The messages that are hidden within the railings will become hidden within the ball of yarn. 

 

Everything will be kept together and and become the next phase of  'Hello, I'm Still Here'.

 

 

 

...and finally Esther (those old enough will get it...) some more good news, Torrs Hydro have £500 that we would like ideas on how to spend - it has to be something local but other than that anything will be considered so get your thinking caps on and drop an email to sean@torrshydro.org - we will pull together the ideas and have a vote

Thank you !

Thank you to everyone who came along on Saturday for the Hydro Open day and added to the Railing Wrap - its great seeing so many people in the Torrs.

The central woven panel of the railing wrap is now complete but there is still space amongst the knotting and wrapping for more messages and memories to be added.

If you would like to add to it you can take along your own piece of fabric or look out for the bags of bits that will be left out at various times over the next few days..

Archie is just waiting for some more rain, but with a mini 'New Mills' heatwave for the next few days I think it will be October before he is spinning again !

'Railing wrap' and Torrs Hydro open day - Saturday 24 September

Join artist New Mills artist Amanda Whewell on Saturday 24 September (12 till 3pm) in the Torrs riverside park to be part of this unique textile installation at the same time the Hydro will be having an open day so plenty to see and do for everyone - who knows the sun may even shine.

‘Railing wrap’ has caught the imagination of hundreds of people who have joined in to weave, knot and wrap recycled textiles onto the railings in the riverside park – at the same time posting their own private messages on the materials.

This is part of the New Mills festival which culminates with a lantern procession the same evening when the whole town turns out to parade through the Torrs to the sound of pagan drum beats before congregating for a firework display and live music.

Railing wrap and next open day

The railing wrap continues to grow - fortunately the weather has been kind - we have even had some tourists from China who have joined in creating the installation as well as the excellent work being done by New Mills Schools art department.

Don't forget anyone can come and join in today and tomorrow (Wednesday and Thursday) and we are hoping Amanda will also be in the Torrs for our next Hydro open day on the 24 September !