Ridgeway Farm Nature Trail Map - hand delivered to your home!Phase 2 of the Ridgeway Farm Art Project is now complete and nearly all the residents should have a copy of the hand-illustrated nature map of the development.If you are unfamiliar with the project, here is a brief catch-up:The map is drawn by myself and has images included on the front by pupils from Cherry Trees Class at Ridgeway Farm Academy.  The little winter trees in the south east corner, the plan view of a street in the west and the birds eye view drawing of the school in the centre of the map were done on an art day in school where I asked the children to imagine they were a bird flying over the development and could they draw what they see. This is a great way to think about the space around where you live or learn, you can remember small details when you take time to think about it and planning these out in a simple way helps to familiarise yourself with your surroundings and how you interact with them.The little …

Thanks to everyone that voted for their favourite design for the new entrance sign at Ridgeway Farm - I was really pleased with the feedback and comments and am delighted that the most popular design is CROPS.
This sketch design will be worked up now for planning consent and into working drawings ready hopefully for forging in the Autumn.  I am looking forward to getting stuck into this and will post regular updates on my Instagram page of work in progress https://www.instagram.com/melissacole001
Here is a mock-up sketch of how it could look from the road approaching from Purton

I will be next on site delivering free hand illustrated nature trail maps for residents - let me know if you would like a copy by email or on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/melissa.cole.71619
#ridgewayfarmart

This blog post is to share the designs for anew signproposed forthe entrance to Ridgeway Farm development from Purton.  If you have read the other newsletters and blogs you will be up to date with progress of the project and the reasons for this location but just in case you missed it, the best space for a bespoke Ridgeway Farm entrance sign is on the public open space to the left hand side (north) of Cowleaze, approaching from Purton, opposite "Snail Hill'.

I have three design options for you to consider and vote for your favourite by email or on social media.

The three design ideas draw on the unique topography of your immediate landscape - "Snail Hill' and the dips and peaks of the open spaces, roads and paths that interweave between your houses giving your homes an intimate, village feel.  
Combined with the recent farming history of the site I have developed two designs that reflect this: crops growing and a pastoral scene depicting old English animal breeds.  The …

Ridgeway Farm Art Project -  Colour at Home Nature Trail Map
Page 9 – the last one!
Here is the last print-at-home section of the nature map for you to colour at home.   This is the south western corner of the development as you drive in from the Swindon town – West Swindon Peatmoor area.
The trees were drawn by Lewis from Cherry Trees class in the workshop day I did in school last September – I loved the simplicity of them and they are a wintery touch for the map.  Feel free to draw animals and plants in between the trees to create your own woodland area as you want to see it.  The deer is drawn by Poppy a resident on the development – a lovely little watercolour which is in full colour on the final map.
Page 9 of 9 Print at home map download here!
If you haven’t got all the sections you can still access them via my blog:  Melissa Cole Blog The finished fold out map is due to go to print soon and will be distributed to every household on the development.  If you are able to help me deliver m…

Ridgeway Farm Art Project -  Colour at Home Nature Trail Map
Page 8 of 9

We are getting to the last two sections of the map for you to colour at home, this is the Western part of the development and features the lovely hedging and drainage ditch behind Cob Hill and Dew Pond Close.  The brambles, trees and hedging near the pond will attract more wildlife to this quiet area of the development. 
Don’t forget to look at the different colour roof tiles – this was the bit that took ages for me to colour in at home!
My coloured version of the  map follows the colours of nature around the border of the map - this section is spring with snowdrops and celandines as seen around the development.   Feel free to add what you have seen in this space to the border around the drawing.

Click here to download part 8 of 9 colour-at-home Ridgeway Farm Nature Trail map
Did you see Grayson's Art Club this week?  It was all about the view from a window - if you have drawn or painted or recreated a view from your…

Ridgeway Farm Art Project -  Colour at Home Nature Trail Map
Page 7 of 9
As lockdown continues in some way for most of us I hope you are able to explore your creative side at home.  If you haven't had chance to watch Grayson's Art Club on Monday evenings Channel 4 I highly recommend it!  

It breaks down some of the barriers surrounding the word 'art' and allows you to think in an open and fresh way about what art means to you and how it is good for your mental health at a time like this. 

I also love how he is encompassing the crafts in this from pot making to wire birds, lampshade making etc!  It is also a great insight into how Grayson works, his studio and sense of fun and inclusion in his work.

We are getting to the last sections of the map now for you to colour at home, this is the North West corner of the development and features the large open field which is a haven for insects, butterflies, dragonflies and wild flowers and grasses.  The brambles on the railway line f…

Ridgeway Farm Art Project -  Colour at Home Nature Trail Map
Page 6 of 9
Here is the large open space heading to the railway line and the footpath to the old can and river Ray.  This large open field is a haven for insects, butterflies, dragonflies and wild flowers and grasses.  Over time it will become an amazing space to watch wildlife visit the reeds and ponds.  
I have seen a fox here running along the railway line, Buzzards, House Martins and Swallows.  
 Feel free to add what you have seen in this space to the border around the drawing.
Click here to download the print at home black and white A4 page to colour-in at home!
Don't forget to post your coloured in versions and share on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter with #ridgewayfarmart @melissacole001

Ridgeway Farm Art Project -  Colour at Home Nature Trail Map
Page 5 of 9
The FIFTH part of the Print-At-Home and colour-in Nature Trail Map of Ridgeway Farm here!! 

Here is the main section of houses within the development - not much nature that I could draw but please add what you have seen in your garden to the drawing.
Now the rain has arrived, you might want a little quiet activity for in the house as part of your home schooling or just some low energy relaxing you-time.  
Featuring Cowleaze, Webbs Place, the play area, The Farm, The Brook, Moses Mead, River View, Mill View, Cob Hill and Upper Mill.  The school is drawn as a birds eye (not the peas!) view by a pupil from Cherry Trees class at Ridgeway Farm C of E Academy.
Click here to download part 5 of 9 colour-in-at-home Ridgeway Farm map!
When you colour this one – be sure to check the different roof colours on these homes (and let me know if there are any road name corrections please!)


Don't forget to post your coloured in version…

Ridgeway Farm Art Project - 
Colour at Home Nature Trail Map

Page 4 of 9
The FOURTH part of the Print-At-Home and colour-in Nature Trail Map of Ridgeway Farm here!! 
Featuring The School drawn by a Cherry Trees Class pupil,  The Buffer, Ray Close and the archaeological trenches and burial - did you know this was here?!
THIS IS FREE!!
Click here to download Page 4 of 9 Ridgeway Farm Nature Map -Print and colour at home

Don't forget to post your coloured in versions and share on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter with #ridgewayfarmart @melissacole001

Ridgeway Farm Art Project Map Part 3 of 9 Available here!


3 0f 9
Here is the THIRD part of the Print-At-Home & colour-in Nature Trail Map of Ridgeway Farm here!! Featuring Little Ground, The Stones, Upper Ox Hill and Newmans View
THIS IS FREE!! Don't forget to post your coloured in versions and share here on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter with #ridgewayfarmart @melissacole001
Download Ridgeway Farm part 3 of 9 colour-in Nature Map

Ridgeway Farm Art Project 
Get the download here for the Colour-In at home version of the  Ridgeway Farm Art Project Nature Trail Map  Part 2 of 9 
featuring Step Stones, Quarry Field and Upper Ox Hill 
Ridgeway Farm Art Project Colour-In Map Part 2 of 9 Upper Ox Hill

Spring 2020 - Project Update
Hello everyone at Ridgeway Farm, my thoughts are with you in these challenging times as we all adjust to get through this current crises.

I hope that you stay well; fit, healthy and happy. 
Unfortunately I have to postpone the 9th April Wildlife Wonder Photography workshop that parents had signed up to with Iain Green.  As soon as we can fix another date for this I will let you know.
The good news is I have finished the front of the Ridgeway Farm Map and as I cannot hand deliver to you for a while, I thought that you might like to be able to print sections at home for colouring-in and adding your own drawings of nature you have seen you while home-schooling.
I would love for you to share the coloured-in drawings on line via Instagram or Twitter and Facebook with the #ridgewayfarmart 
(Thanks to https://www.kitchencupboardpaint.com for the prompt!)

Click on the link here to get your first of 9 pages. https://drive.google.com/file/d/1J9jnLHYCaXQrPhQyM4C_rs3jiwxw8uy…

What a tricky start to 2020 we have had from the winds to the rain (oh the rain) to the floods and now the Corona Virus and we are only in March!!  We will stay stronger together but right now its very easy to feel isolated and alone.

I am sending some love to those of you struggling through the current crisis - especially those at the front line of the NHS and those of you who are vulnerable and exposed and feeling overwhelmed.

I am lucky enough to work alone so will be in the forge making hearts and stock items for my  Etsy Gift Shop in the hope that things will pick up soon.

I have also built a NEW WEBSITE!!!  so you can check it out and see the other work I have done!

All my courses are now postponed until further notice - I hope to have more dates available later this year.

Ridgeway Farm Art project is on the drawing board - the map side one is complete and I am hoping that residents might be able to add some drawings to side two while in isolation or off school.  The map will g…

Ridgeway Farm Art ProjectNewsletter #5 February 2020



Here is a sneak preview of The Map for Ridgeway Farm residents that is work in progress on my drawing board.  
I have some illustrations from residents, photographs and drawings from Ridgeway Farm Academy Cherry Trees class to add to the border and reverse side as well as a story about the site written by another resident. 
 If you would like to contribute it's not too late - just get in touch!








Thursday 9th April 2020 from 1.45 - 4pm Easter Holiday - Free Workshop.
A Wildlife Wonder Photography afternoon with Iain Green and Melissa Cole as part of the on-going Ridgeway Farm Art Project.
Bookings are being taken for up to 10 parent/grandparent/guardian and child places(age up to 16 need to bring an adult with them!) 

Art and photography students and amateurs welcome to bring their own cameras and learn from Iain. www.wildlifewonder.co.uk

Please share with friends that might be interested! Want to know more? Please message me melissa@me…