My large scale public performance project sought to revive an ancient and almost forgotten English tradition: Clipping the Church. In times past families would flock to encircle local churches, holding hands with each other to literally surround the church with open arms. This custom brought families and communities together in times past and which I brought vividly back to life at the St Barnabas Church in Erdington, Birmingham, in June 2016. 200 people were present at its enactment 13 days pre-Brexit on 11th June 2016.

As a potent symbol of identity and belonging, this artistic project renewed ties with a disparate community; this was a public art project that not only brought hundreds of people together, but also invited a reflection on the changing nature of family life and an opportunity to join a wider community by harnessing the customs of the past.