The Lantern Men

Headphone Story

Narrated by Bill Walston

Contributors - Abi, Alex, Bridie, Bill, Fiona, Githa, Ian, Nicky, Paul, Penny, Savi, Sophie, Steve and Tina

Inspired by the folklore of the Lantern Men - a mysterious white light that hovers over the Fenland at night, luring wanderers into the reed beds - this sound piece is the culmination of a six month collaboration between Composer Tom Adams and participants from the Camsight and Vision Norfolk community. Together, they have explored Wicken Fen by boat and on foot, handled museum objects at Ely Museum, and developed songs, sonic meditations and a whistling choir in response to their experiences.

The Lantern Men intersects the tale of the untimely death of wherryman Joseph Bexfield with sonic sounds, personal reflections and field recordings made during the project.

The Lantern Men is part of Sensing Nature, which celebrates work made with local communities who have creatively engaged with the heritage and significance of the Fenland landscape, in partnership with Ely Museum, RNIB and Wicken Fen. Curated by Basecoat Collective – a group of artists aged 15-25 years – the exhibition invites you to contemplate the personal connections and relationships you hold with nature through looking, listening, touching and tasting. Artworks include a new sound installation co-produced by Composer Tom Adams and participants from Camsight and Vision Norfolk, 3D printed fossils developed through Artist Kaitlin Ferguson’s engagement with teachers and pupils from Highfields Littleport Academy, and over 50 drawings, sculptures and sound pieces selected from an open call. Sensing Nature has been made possible with funding from The National Lottery Heritage Fund.