Reconnect Finale

We invite you to join The Culture Trust for a celebratory event marking the culmination of our National Lottery Heritage Fund project Reconnect on Sunday 26th April 2026 at Stockwood Discovery Centre.

Join in the excitement as we unveil a new collection of installation artworks and poems by Alec Finlay.  Alec is the son of Ian Hamilton Finlay who curated the Improvement Garden more than 30 years ago. His work focuses on the themes of rest and the restorative effect of nature, the works and will encourage people to pause, rest and contemplate.

As part of the celebrations Kadam Dance present Wisdom of The Poets.  The performance has been specially commissioned to explore the ideas and stories behind the original works of Ian Hamilton Finlay through dance, music and spoken word. Dancers will lead audiences through the Improvement Gardens, halting by installations to delve deeper into their symbolism with Roman poet Ovid’s book of Metamorphoses and Alec’s contemporary verse.

Konnie Deppe our Reconnect horticulturalist will be on hand throughout the day to talk through the work that has been done on reawaken some of the dormant garden spaces breathing new life and bloom into the Discovery Centre. There will also be an opportunity to learn about our garden volunteering programme and to engaging in some light gardening activities.

Kadam South Asian Dance 11.30am – 12pm & 12.30pm – 1pm

Wisdom of the Poets

Join Kadam Dance in exploring the ideas and stories behind the artworks of Ian Hamilton Finlay, through dance, music and spoken word. Dancers lead audiences through the Improvement Gardens, halting by installations to delve into their symbolism. Roman poet Ovid’s book of Metamorphoses and Alec Finlay’s contemporary verse give a range of expression. From Kadam Dance that brought you The Rose and the Bulbul (2016) expect some magic moments. (25 mins including the walk)

Qawwali performance: 2pm – 4pm

Photography: Simon Richardson