The Friends of Waterton’s Wall

How did the Friends of Waterton’s Wall come into being?

John lives in the village of Walton which encompasses Waterton’s estate. Concerned about the declining state of the wall, which he knew from walks around the village, he emailed a few other local people in 2020, suggesting that action needed to be taken.

Walton, it seems to me is that kind of a place. I live in Sandal which has always felt to me like a leafy suburb of Wakefield. But if I turn the other way at the end of my road, I cross a field and am soon in the village of Walton. It very much has the feel of a place in its own right, there are lots of things going on there and groups which bring the community together. Waterton’s name seems to pop up all over the village

Given that 2020 saw the country in the thick of the pandemic, John’s email was followed by a zoom call for interested parties. Things moved rapidly from there, a committee was formed, letters were written to prominent celebrities, councils, local bodies and anybody who might be interested.

Messages of support came back, some from well-known and hugely respected people.

The Friends of Waterton’s Wall was officially established on 21 July 2021, their first project being the preservation of a section of wall in time for the bicentenary of its completion in 2026.

The public launch was in the village hall in March 2022 – the day I first went to meet Abby King at Anglers Country Park and called in on John on my way home. 45 people came.

The Friends of Waterton’s Wall have a website: www.friendsofwatertonswall.com and a Facebook page www.facebook.com/friendsofwatertonswall so do join their mailing list to follow their progress or to get involved.

Much of my time as an artist is solitary so collaborating on a project with another interest group is a new way of working for me. I wanted the benefits to work both ways. I looked forward to learning from their different knowledge and skill sets and I hoped we could find ways of working together to raise awareness of their work and their aims for the future through my work. These are local people, each one contributing in their own way. Some have specialist knowledge of building, architecture, history, and others help with organisation, publicity, photography and the vital role of spreading the word over a pint at the pub, at the Saturday market, at school picking-up time, at church or at the lovely new community library.

The Friends of Waterton’s Wall are united in their enthusiasm and desire to protect the wall for the future. They are good people and it’s a privilege to be working with them.