Here it is!!

Toby’s Fold and Drove Arch Hut, Thornton-in-Lonsdale, North Yorkshire

Here, in its final resting place, is the actual arch that Andy Goldsworthy took on the journey from Scotland. If you have been following this journey with me, I hope you feel the same ridiculous emotion that I did today at actually seeing the arch.

The arch began its life in the Lowlands of Scotland and was made from red sandstone from Dumfreisshire. It was then taken along the old droving route through Cumbria. It was built each time in an appropriate sheepfold, if there was one, where it stayed overnight, before being dismantled and taken on to the next place. I have made a list of the links to all the blips that I have posted, below.

The Drove Arch Project was a story of a journey, of which the only remaining physical evidence in Cumbria is the repaired folds. But Goldsworthy always intended that the arch should have a permanent resting place. The journey took place in 1997, but a suitable home for it was not found until 2003 – a small derelict shepherd’s hut and a fold, at Thornton-in-Lonsdale, near Ingleton. Both were rebuilt by a local builder and by his son, who had actually assisted Andy on the drove journey. The fold was named for Toby Grimwood, who had helped Andy in previous projects and died at the age of 21. It was his friends and family who raised the money for the rebuilding of the hut in his memory.

The hut is kept locked but there is a viewing window. There is a notice on the door (not liked by Goldsworthy who would much prefer that nothing be said as to why the arch is there). It is in an isolated position by the side of a narrow road and below the limestone hills of the Yorkshire Dales. There is a view across to Ingleborough from the building. Pictures of the hut and fold are here.

So that really is the end of the story. Thank you so much to those who have followed it with me. It has been a joy to do and has taught me so much about the area we live in, as well as about aspects of art. I will return to this latter topic later.

The last words are Goldsworthy’s: I think this may be what I want to achieve with the arch, for the memory of it to be as potent as its presence. I know that the more times the arch is built, the richer it becomes. It gathers up something of each place and takes it on the next. there will always be a connection to the places where it has stopped.

and David Craig’s: The drove-roads that remain are visible history.

Spango Farm, Dumfriesshire
Longtown, Cumbria
Drovers Lane, Carlisle
Milestone House, Penrith
Shap Beck Quarry, Shap
Market Cross, Shap
Scout Green, near Tebay
Grayrigg, near Kendal
Lowgill, near Sedbergh
Old Scotch Road, near Sedbergh
The end of the journey, near Kirkby Lonsdale