‘River Droplet’ is a temporary installation that shines a light on the unique character of chalk streams in Dorset.

Created by artist Lorna Rees and architect Amanda Moore, the installation consists of 500 bottles of water taken from the adjacent River Frome. The chalky bed of the river can be seen by the sediment in each of the bottles.

Chalk streams are perfect for the production of watercress, which is grown locally and shipped around the UK and across the world. The ‘River Droplet’ installation will be brought to life with events and recordings that explore the story of watercress production and what makes chalk streams so special.

You can take a seat within the installation and listen to the recordings, join in the events or simply sit and enjoy the sights and sounds of the glorious River Frome!

Sit back and enjoy the sounds of River Droplet!

10/09/2024

Track 1: I’ll Sing you One Song

A new/old folk song, based on the very old West Country traditional folk tune ‘The Dilly Song’ or ‘Green Grow the Rushes O’ and, in the very best folk tradition, re-written the lyrics to celebrate the Dorset Watercress beds (written and performed by Lorna Rees and Rufus Rusic).

10/09/2024

Track 2: It’s Peppery (the Taste of Watercress)

Meditations on the unique flavour profile of Watercress.

Track 3: River Droplet/Chalk Stream/Watercress

Baleric Beats and flowing water inspired tune which celebrates the Taste of Watercress - with voices of Dorset residents, farmers and nutritionists.

10/09/2024

Track 4 The Watercress O

As spoken by Janet, member of Frampton Footlights accompanied by various field recordings of the water flowing from Frampton to Moreton (and beside the Roman wall in Dorchester).

10/09/2024

Track 5 Dorsetcore Green Grow the Watercress O Feat. Uncle Pete

The Watercress Song, remixed and remade for the cyclists and runners on the Valley to Market Trail.

Meet the artists!

Ear Trumpet by Gobbledegook Theatre, Inside Out Dorset 2014, Photo: Rik Irons-Mclean

Lorna Rees

Lorna Rees is a co-founder of Gobbledegook Theatre who make innovative, cross-artform work for unusual places. With theatre at its core, Gobbledegook’s live performance, music and installation work is inspired by Earth Sciences and almost always takes place outdoors.

Lorna considers herself to be artist-activist and often works on artistic interventions under the title of ‘Disruption and Joy’.

FIND OUT MORE: www.gobbledegooktheatre.com

Amanda Moore

Amanda Moore is an artist and architect. She has produced many installations which activate underused areas of public space and become the backdrop to events.

Amanda has previously produced a permanent art installation in Dorset, the Black Down Stone Circle which aligns with solar events on site and has become a gathering spot for those interested in the solar solstices.

FIND OUT MORE: amandamoore.info

How to get there

The best way to get to River Droplet at Frampton is by bike! With the new Valley to Market Trail (see below), you can follow the River Frome between Maiden Newton and Dorchester, stopping off at Frampton along the way.

Try out the the new Beryl Bikes hire scheme in Dorchester and Weymouth if you don’t already have a bike.

If you are travelling by car, please respect local residents and park safely along the main road. Field parking will be provided on Sunday 15th September, thanks to the residents of Frampton.

MORE TRAVEL INFORMATION HERE

Valley to Market Trail (c) Sally Fielding

Valley to Market Food Trail

You can reach River Droplet along the new Valley to Market Trail which runs through the Frome Valley from Maiden Newton to Dorchester.

The Frome Valley with its meadows, pastures and fields, has been shaped by millennia of farming and food production. The Trail follows the historic footsteps of the valley’s farmers taking their produce to Dorchester’s market. Along the way, clues of the rich farming past are highlighted in the new Trail leaflet.