THIS AUTUMN visitors walking just outside Stroud may be surprised to come across a Ginger Bread House.

It’s not edible but will be in the woods and connects with stories and storytelling about the natural world.

It’s the latest part of the Growing Places project.

This project aims to connect landscape, food and farming with creativity in the  community and is run by Stroud based artists’ group Walking the Land. 

(Image: UGC) This autumn ten artists will be resident in the Gingerbread house each working on their own project while also providing a workshop for the wider community.

The first artist Huw Montgomery made furniture for the house using larch from Follywood community woodland.  

Recently Tara Downs and Bart Sabel were the artists in residence.

They say: ‘We are exploring the world of mycelia, the networks of fungi which connect plants and rum through the soil.

"They’re a kind of  community and we’re exploring the things that grow and  how they’re drawn to each other’.

Following Tara and Bart, Stroud based Deb Hoy is the next artist in residence:

She said: "During my time at the Gingerbread House, I’ll be collecting hedgerow berries and tree seeds to make ink and drawing tools and exploring different ways to use those home-made hedgerow inks."

Rachel McDonnell, Chalford based artist and one of the Growing Places organisers said: ‘Over the next three months eight more artists will be resident in the Ginger Bread House.

"These include a musician, a painter and a sculptor, each of them working on their own pieces, but all connected with landscape, food and community. 

"We’re fortunate that Icelandic artist Olaf Eliasson, who recently exhibited at the Tate, has donated lighting for use in the Gingerbread House’

Thirty community groups, organisations and schools are involved in  a variety of arts projects from walking, drawing and printing,  exploring compost, and storytelling. 

The house will be in several places  over the autumn with its last location being  in February when it will be part of the Growing Places exhibition at Stroud’s Museum in the Park.

Andy Freedman, another of the project team, said: "Growing Places has a broad definition of the arts which also includes rural crafts, cooking and growing as well as painting, writing and singing.  

"Growing Places aims to create opportunities and to build connections  between artists, community groups and landowners which will continue after the project finishes next March.’

Growing Places receives support from DEFRA through the Farming in Protected Landscapes Scheme which is run by Cotswold National Landscape

Some events will be open to everyone and made available through www.walkingtheland.org.uk/growing-places