Some brilliant new images of my project for the new Macmillan Unit at Tameside & Glossop Integrated Care NHS Foundation Trust have come to light. It is always refreshing to see how others see your work & the space it was created for. In this instance I was very kindly given permission by Mike Hearle, European Digital Marketing Manager for Construction Specialties– to use images from their website. Construction Specialities supplied and installed the solid timber handrails running through the unit. Take a look …the artwork was digitally printed and installed by VGL. The project was delivered by IBI Group Architects and Willis Newson, the UK’s leading arts and health consultancy.
Tameside Hospital New Macmillan Unit. Artwork by Christopher Tipping. Image by kind permission of Construction SpecialitiesTameside Hospital New Macmillan Unit. Artwork by Christopher Tipping. Image by kind permission of Construction SpecialitiesTameside Hospital New Macmillan Unit. Artwork by Christopher Tipping. Image by kind permission of Construction SpecialitiesTameside Hospital New Macmillan Unit. Artwork by Christopher Tipping. Image by kind permission of Construction SpecialitiesTameside Hospital New Macmillan Unit. Artwork by Christopher Tipping. Image by kind permission of Construction SpecialitiesTameside Hospital New Macmillan Unit. Artwork by Christopher Tipping. Image by kind permission of Construction SpecialitiesTameside Hospital New Macmillan Unit. Artwork by Christopher Tipping. Image by kind permission of Construction SpecialitiesTameside Hospital New Macmillan Unit. Artwork by Christopher Tipping. Image by kind permission of Construction SpecialitiesTameside Hospital New Macmillan Unit. Artwork by Christopher Tipping. Image by kind permission of Construction SpecialitiesTameside Hospital New Macmillan Unit. Artwork by Christopher Tipping. Image by kind permission of Construction Specialities
Willis Newson, one of the UK’s leading Arts and Health Consultancies, are managing the arts and interior design strategy and artist appointment for the project.
‘Tameside Macmillan Unit is a medium sized refurbishment project at Tameside General Hospital in Ashton-under-Lyne, near Manchester. Building on existing facilities provided by the Trust and Macmillan for cancer patients, the new unit will include a Macmillan Information and Support Centre, a 6 chair treatment room, waiting areas, procedure rooms and various spaces for alternative therapies’. Text from Artist’s Brief by Willis Newson
Work is due to start on site in March/April 2016 and due to be completed in September/October 2016.
An integrated approach to art, architecture and design is being delivered by Michael Hughes of IBI Architectssupported by KKE Architectsdelivering landscape design.
Christopher Tipping at top of Wild Bank, Tameside. 399m above Sea Level. Image: Stewart Ramsden
This is me at the top of Wild Bank, Tameside, the highest point on my 12 mile walk with Stewart Ramsden, a member of the project Arts Steering Group, supporting and championing the project – and also Chairman of the Tameside Ramblers.
‘A consultation workshop was held with patient, family and staff representatives to explore opportunities for the art, interiors and courtyard design. The session used creative activities to explore the group members’ personal experience and coping strategies and to identify common themes. Participants shared an appreciation of the value of ‘walking in nature’ as a healing experience and the beauty of the landscapes of Tameside: it was agreed that “Journeys through the Landscapes of Tameside” would provide a good overarching theme’. Text from Artist’s Brief by Willis Newson
It was decided that, due to time concerns and programme, I would base the creative response to the project broadly on a two day visit to meet with unit staff and service users, project architect Michael Hughes of IBI Group, Bronwen Gwillim of Willis Newson & Gareth Llewellyn, Capital Project Manager for the Trust. This was an opportunity for me simply to listen and hear about how cancer services were delivered to patients and how key factors affect that experience and how the environment can really make a difference. We also had a tour of the site – see some images to follow – and a detailed review with the architect of all plans for the work. At the end of Day 1, I walked into Ashton-Under-Lyne, to better understand the setting of the hospital and the community it serves.
This is the day for our big walk ! Stewart Ramsden is walking with me – he knows the area so well and has done this walk may times – often leading groups in his capacity as Chair of the Tameside Ramblers ! This is one of Stewart’s ‘Ramtrails’!
Our walk will take in Wild Bankand Hollingworthall Moor from Godley.
The weather is overcast and grey, very cold, with a possibility of rain / sleet. I really don’t care. I am so looking forward to this. Everything is new to me – even my hiking boots and weatherproof jacket. We set off from Stewart’s home at around 09.30am.
Tameside Hospital New Macmillan Unit – Art Project Research Walk. Image: Christopher TippingTameside Hospital New Macmillan Unit – Art Project Research Walk. Image: Christopher Tipping
The first view of Wild Bank in the distance !
Crossing the M67 – Tameside Hospital New Macmillan Unit – Art Project Research Walk. Image: Christopher TippingA sign of things to come – very wet, very muddy ! Tameside Hospital New Macmillan Unit – Art Project Research Walk. Image: Christopher TippingPassing Farm Buildings – Tameside Hospital New Macmillan Unit – Art Project Research Walk. Image: Christopher TippingLandmarks and details. Tameside Hospital New Macmillan Unit – Art Project Research Walk. Image: Christopher TippingInto a wooded Dell – Tameside Hospital New Macmillan Unit – Art Project Research Walk. Image: Christopher TippingSigns of Spring – Tameside Hospital New Macmillan Unit – Art Project Research Walk. Image: Christopher TippingA landmark tree – Tameside Hospital New Macmillan Unit – Art Project Research Walk. Image: Christopher TippingFootpath Footpath ! – Tameside Hospital New Macmillan Unit – Art Project Research Walk. Image: Christopher TippingLast year’s grasses – Tameside Hospital New Macmillan Unit – Art Project Research Walk. Image: Christopher TippingMarsh and flood – Tameside Hospital New Macmillan Unit – Art Project Research Walk. Image: Christopher TippingMolehills – Tameside Hospital New Macmillan Unit – Art Project Research Walk. Image: Christopher TippingTameside Hospital New Macmillan Unit – Art Project Research Walk. Image: Christopher TippingOver the golf Course – Tameside Hospital New Macmillan Unit – Art Project Research Walk. Image: Christopher TippingTameside Hospital New Macmillan Unit – Art Project Research Walk. Image: Christopher Tipping10.30am – Stalybridge Celtic Football Ground – Tameside Hospital New Macmillan Unit – Art Project Research Walk. Image: Christopher Tipping10.31am – Down the narrow path by Inglewood Coach House – Tameside Hospital New Macmillan Unit – Art Project Research Walk. Image: Christopher Tipping10.32am – Tameside Hospital New Macmillan Unit – Art Project Research Walk. Image: Christopher Tipping10.33am – It’s like we are in someone’s garden ! Tameside Hospital New Macmillan Unit – Art Project Research Walk. Image: Christopher TippingAshes Cottage built 1717 – its been on the telly ! – Tameside Hospital New Macmillan Unit – Art Project Research Walk. Image: Christopher Tipping…and via a bit of suburbia – Tameside Hospital New Macmillan Unit – Art Project Research Walk. Image: Christopher Tipping10.45am – Finally we hit the farmer’s fields and open countryside. We didn’t break the fence ! The farmer was muck-spreading – the air was very ripe ! Tameside Hospital New Macmillan Unit – Art Project Research Walk. Image: Christopher TippingWhite Farm, Horses, Ponies, Chickens – Tameside Hospital New Macmillan Unit – Art Project Research Walk. Image: Christopher TippingColour ! – Tameside Hospital New Macmillan Unit – Art Project Research Walk. Image: Christopher TippingColourful assemblage ! – Tameside Hospital New Macmillan Unit – Art Project Research Walk. Image: Christopher Tipping
