TheBigRecord:
DarentValley
Hi! I’m Paul Cheese, ​
The Sound of the Darent Valley
​The Big Record: Darent Valley’ is a unique piece of music created from and inspired by the sounds and rhythms of the Darent Valley – the sounds of communities, individuals, industry, artistic works, landscapes, nature, history and present, and inspiration from Samuel Palmer’s paintings. I explored the Darent Valley from its source near Westerham to its mouth at Dartford Creek collecting sounds, travelling on foot and by bicycle.
​
I collected sounds from across the Darent Valley from April 2023 - July 2024 and then used these sound to create a piece of music
​​
From April 2023 to July 2024 I collected sounds throughout the Darent Valley,
I spoke to many people about the sound that connects them to the Valley,
I also spoke in schools (for example, Wentworth primary School to 700 students)
I visited shops and work places in towns and villages throughout the Valley ( for example: Westerham, Otford, Shoreham, Knockholt, Swanley, Darftord, Temple Hill, Sevenoaks, Hartley, West Kingsdown, Enysford, Longfield, Lullingstone,
Horton Kirby, Hextable, Chevening, New Ash green, East Hill, Farningham, Brasted, Seal, Willmington, and so many more villages)
I recorded sounds at lots of local events (for example: Farningham coronation, street party, Shoreham heavy horse show, Beating the bounds may day event in Westerham, Otford Palace fete, Football match at Princes Park, Dartford)
I handed out over 1000 flyers to people that I’ve met and spoken with about the project.
I've done sound workshops which as inspired people to think about the sounds around them and think about what Samuel Palmers paintings sound like (some example locations, Shoreham village fete, the Peter Blake gallery, Kaleidoscope gallery)
I have done many talks, (for example, Wentworth Primary, Kaleidoscope gallery, peter Blake Gallery, Shoreham Fete, Enysford Green Week)
All of this has felt like to me, people have been inspired to listen to their surroundings and get out and listen to the Darent valley in a different way.
The final piece of music is available to listen to here: ​
​​There have been so many brilliant aspects to this project!
It has been fantastic engaging with so many people whilst out walking the valley paths, cycling around the whole catchment area and visiting every town and village through the Darent Valley.
It has been great talking to people about the sounds that connect them to their area and hearing their sound stories, whilst sharing other peoples sounds and stories that I have collected. From shop keepers to dog walkers, factory workers to schools, it has been wonderful sharing the knowledge of Samuel Palmer and the beauty of the Darent Valley.
The final piece of music was the destination, but it has been the journey over a year that has created interest and engagement from members of the public that live in and outside of the Darent Valley.
For example, The project has featured 4 times on BBC radio Kent and each time has evoked sound memories in people, and has inspired them to send me sound suggestions + visit the Darent Valley and hear it from a different perspective.
​
The support from the the Darent Valley Lanscape partnership Scheme has been perfect, always there when I’ve needed anything and have genuinely been so encouraging and helpful throughout – from suggesting places and events and communities to approach, to being a friendly ear and offering guidance. Sarah Moon, Jenifer Smith, Tim Owen, Selinina Levinson Drake and the wider team of the brilliant Sarah Newman and Liz Anderson.
​​
It has been an amazing immersive journey collecting and creating ‘TheBigRecord:DarentValley”
I have been overwhelmed by the response from the people and adults that I have met and spoken to about the sound of the valley. I’m sure the ‘TheBigRecord:DarentValley” will continue to receive interest and plays in years to come.
Thank you for the opportunity to re-engage with this beautiful area.
What sounds and rhythms come to mind when you think of the Darent Valley?
The sound of the river? the inside a factory, your neighbour’s laughter, the sound of sport, hobbies or even creaking branches.​
​
Thanks for listening
​
Paul Cheese
Project Catchment Area
WHAT DOES THE DARENT VALLEY SOUND LIKE?
Over the year of this project I have speken to people that live, work, have visited, or have a connection to the Darent valley,
I've loved to hearing your sound memories and sounds that remind you of this area.
I also asked people to send me sounds from their lives that were uploaded via the upload portal on this website.
What type of song will sounds from throughout the Darent Valley create?
TheBigRecord:DarentValley
