Join us at Witley Court and Gardens to experience an exploratory activation of Fountain | 1937, an art installation by Keith Harrison.

On the evening of Friday 12 September, the public are invited to join us for a special event that will celebrate the Fountain | 1937 installation with readings, soundscapes and live performance as the sun sets over the historic venue. Enjoy sound works by Preston Field Audio and Copper Sounds, as well as readings by Daniel Wiles and R.M.Francis.

On Saturday 13 September, Witley Court will open at the earlier time of 7.30am for a procession of large-scale floats based on the profiles of
products made at Round Oak Steelworks through the grounds from the installation pavilion to the Perseus & Andromeda Fountain. The procession is in recognition of workers at the Earl of Dudley's Baggeridge Colliery, Round Oak Steelworks and involving former members of the Golden Throstle Angling Club based in the Black Country. The procession will culminate in a ceremonial launch of the floats into the water around the Perseus & Andromeda Fountain.

Fountain | 1937 is a meditation on the complex historical relationships between the great ruined country mansion of Witley Court, and the lives of the working-class people of Staffordshire who created the wealth on which it was all founded. The artwork draws parallels between Witley’s demise as a country house through fire in 1937, with the simultaneous rise of welfare provision for miners through the construction of pithead baths across England in the 1930s.

English Heritage and artist Keith Harrison are inviting former miners and steelworkers to take part in the upcoming procession. To express your interest in taking part, please email ehmarketingteam@english-heritage.org.uk.

Tickets for the public to attend the event will be on sale shortly.

The event on Friday 12 September will take place 5pm-9.30pm. The event on Saturday 13 September will take place 7.30am-11am – your ticket will include access to Witley Court and Gardens for the day.

Due to the historic nature of the property, there is limited accessibility. For access information, please click here. To enquire further about accessibility requirements, please email: ehmarketingteam@english-heritage.org.uk.