Stanza Stones is a collaboration between the Ilkley Literature Festival and Yorkshire poet Simon Armitage, which will see poetry from Simon’s new collection In Memory of Water carved into stones between Ilkley and his home town of Marsden by artist Pip Hall.

The project will also draw in diverse groups of young writers, dancers and filmmakers from across the region to create their own work through masterclasses with Simon and other artists.

Students Russell Gray and Joe Ralph, both in the third year of degree courses in the department of Media, Film and Culture, are capturing this creative activity on film. With the poetry and other artwork inspired by the natural beauty of the Pennine Watershed, the stunning landscape will undoubtedly be the star in the finished film.

Glenis Burgess is the project manager for Stanza Stones. She said, “I would like to say how well Russell and Joe are doing, organising their production schedule in a highly professional manner.”

“At each meeting they introduce themselves to the participants, organise individual interviews and thank everyone at the end. Even when they can’t film due to the weather, they are keen to stay on the moor to establish suitable locations, take photographs and film wherever possible, and seem quite reluctant to leave!”

Russell sums up the experience so far, saying, "The Stanza Stones project is a huge professional opportunity that has ignited a passion inside both of us! Aside from being thoroughly enjoyable, we're developing skills in filming, editing and working with employers, which you only gain working at this standard of professionalism.”

The project is part of the Cultural Olympiad and is funded by imove (a Cultural Olympiad programme in Yorkshire) Pennine Prospects (the regeneration agency for the South Pennines) and by the Esmee Fairbairn Foundation

For more information contact Rachel Cockburn, Public Relations Officer on 0113 283 7273 or email r.cockburn@leedstrinity.ac.uk