Viking Superhighway
We are currently working hard to create an epic, kaleidoscopic arts, heritage and cultural experience of 7,000 years of life along the River Ribble from source to sea.
The Project
Since the last Ice Age and across a long sweep of history, the River Ribble – a 121km waterway – has been home to Pre-historic peoples, Romans, Anglo-Saxons, Normans and been a major Viking super highway linking a Scandinavian kingdom that stretched from Dublin in the west to York in the east. It has provided energy to turn millwheels, helped transform Preston into a textile producing giant and connected Lancashire to the rest of the world.
With a range of core partners (UCLAN, Regional Heritage Centre at Lancaster University, The Ribble Rivers Trust) we aim to research, develop and deliver a captivating 3-year programme, immersed in unique and rich heritage, with a distinctive narrative that will raise the profile of Lancashire on a national level.
It will also ask an important question for the 21st Century – how we are connected today – and seek to understand human culture in the wider context of its historical environment – economically, socially, technologically and linguistically.
R&D Work
R&D Featured Artists
imitating the dog
Bonkers Clutterbucks
Simon Wainwright
Alex Rinsler
La Petite Mort
Brian and George Fell
Darren Andrews
By bringing together diverse groups, inspired by art and creativity, the project will create a deep level of integration between different disciplines and stakeholders, and a more rounded and meaningful narrative of historical and cultural evolution of the ‘super highway’ and its wider global significance.
The objectives are to create a high profile, ambitious programme that will generate a distinctive sense of place, tell multiple historic stories set in diverse landscapes, signal Lancashire as a place of regional, national and international significance and enrich the quality of life for people and communities living here.
More funding permitting, the next phase will be a brilliant pilot project in Preston in November – TIME TRAP – from imitating the dog, who will bring Preston to life with a family-friendly visual extravaganza telling the tale of the Vikings, who return to present-day Preston to reclaim their hidden Cuerdale Hoard.
Get in Touch
Please get in contact if you wish to discuss a project with us or have feedback on one of our events.
We also welcome your ideas, thoughts and memories about any of our existing projects.