Redraw the Line
13th - 20th August 2021
In support of the EarthFirst! critical mass bike ride 'Roll back the tracks' a group of artists, ecologists and activists will be following the proposed line of HS2's Phase 2a.
Join us this August for an immersive week of workshops, talks, theatre, art, music and much more in a location near you.
Be entertained, share and collaborate to take action towards a better collective future.
Please read on for details of the week's events and how to get involved...
Friday August 13th
SOLD OUT
Where? Ryebank Fields Protection Camp
When? Food: 6.30pm / Show 7pm
What? 3 Acres & a Cow performance
‘Three Acres And A Cow’ connects the Norman Conquest and Peasants’ Revolt with current issues like Brexit, fracking, the housing crisis and food sovereignty movement via the Enclosures, English Civil War, Irish Land League and Industrial Revolution, drawing a compelling narrative through the radical people’s history of England in folk song, stories and poems. Part TED talk, part history lecture, part folk club sing-a-long, part poetry slam, part storytelling session… Come and share in these tales as they have been shared for generations.
Saturday August 14th
Where? Ryebank Fields Protection Camp
When? 8.30-11.30pm
What? Introduction to Ryebank Fields & Interactive, immersive theatrical walk
Join the friends of Ryebank Fields for an immersive journey through its many wild habitats. Storytelling, music, performance and dance unite to guide us through the land and celebrate its tales - old and new. Join us from 8.00 for tea and talks from local land protectors, walk begins at 9pm.
Spaces are limited to just 30 people
Tuesday 17th August
Where? Victoria Park, Stafford
When? 1-5pm outside the play park &
5-7pm besides the river
What? Family friendly workshop day
Join us in Victoria Park for a day of arts and ecology workshops for all ages, including: mask making, a community collage, ecological surveying, face painting, a historical/natural scavenger hunt, and a HS2 themed photographic exhibition.
Have your chance to learn more about HS2 and related issues. Share your thoughts and ideas, connect with others and discover what you can do to help protect local landscapes, homes and businesses from senseless destruction.
Thursday 19th August
Where? Essex Bridge, Great Haywood, Stafford, ST18 0ST
When? 12-4pm
What? Immersive spoken word and sound performances
Help us to honour this historic bridge that links Shugborough Estate with Great Haywood canal, a site which will be significantly impacted by HS2.
Through spoken word, poetry and sound healing we will present an immersive, interactive sound journey re-telling stories from the region and reflecting the sounds of the river Trent that flows beneath us.
Join us throughout the day. Bring your towels for a swim, a picnic for lunch, poetry to read and an instrument to make some noise! Join a group conversation on HS2, land rights and the commons to share your thoughts, generate ideas and form new networks of support.
See you along the line!
We look forward to meeting you at one of our events along the line!
For more information on the week long bike ride and critical mass, visit...
For more information on the reality of HS2 and helpful resources, please visit...
For a map of HS2's proposed route, see...
Please note, events are subject to change. Check back here regularly for updates.
Saturday August 14th
Where? Ryebank Fields Protection Camp
When? 2.00-4.30pm
What? 3 Acres & a Cow performance
‘Three Acres And A Cow’ connects the Norman Conquest and Peasants’ Revolt with current issues like Brexit, fracking, the housing crisis and food sovereignty movement via the Enclosures, English Civil War, Irish Land League and Industrial Revolution, drawing a compelling narrative through the radical people’s history of England in folk song, stories and poems. Part TED talk, part history lecture, part folk club sing-a-long, part poetry slam, part storytelling session… Come and share in these tales as they have been shared for generations.
Sunday 15th August
Where? From Ryebank Fields to Central Manchester (St Peter's Square)
When? Departing at 11.30pm from Ryebank Protection Camp - cycling to St Peter's Square for roughly 12pm
Join the cyclists for a critical mass (protest bike ride) in central Manchester before they depart on their week long journey south to Birmingham.
Wednesday 18th August
Where? Bluebell Woods Protection Camp, Swynnerton
When? 1-11pm
What? Workshop & skillshare day
Ecology workshops, stories of resistance, HS2 trees talk, art workshops, woodland soundscape walk, anti-institutional film-making workshop, live music, immersive performances, poetry, film screening, sound healing, food, fires, story telling and much more...
All set in a beautiful, diverse forest that is threatened by HS2's development plans. Visit this very special habitat and discover how you can help to protect this and many other natural habitats for years to come.
Friday 20th August
Where? Digbeth Community Garden, Shaw's passage, Birmingham, B5 5PG
When? 1-9pm
What? Community art, exhibition & skill-sharing day
Workshops, talks, multi-media art exhibition by artists from the HS2 campaign, live music, theatrical performances, live mural painting, film screening, discussions.
Come & meet some rad people and hear about the campaign in a beautiful city oasis, just streets from where the new HS2 Curzon street station will be built.
Open to all, pay by donation entry, family friendly, food & drinks available on site.
Want to get involved?
Redraw the line is an open platform for people to share their experiences, skills and ideas.
We are an autonomous coming together of individuals who want to use their time, energy and talents to make a difference.
If you feel inspired to present a workshop, give a talk, share your creative and musical talents, or help out with support such as cooking or outreach please get in touch!
We particularly value contributions and support from individuals and groups who are based along the route, or who have been/will be impacted by HS2.
Please email: undergrowth.c@gmail.com with your name, phone number and details of how you would like to get involved and someone will be in touch with you ASAP.
