Penistone Townscape
About the design
Textiles is the medium used to create the Penistone Story Map. Cotton layers are painted and locations stitched, then sections are cut away to contrast colour and pattern using reverse applique as the method. This use of fabric tells something of the market towns beginnings as a wool and cloth producer.
Locations on the map were selected and drawn by Year 10 students who study Art at Penistone Grammar School. I translated the drawn plans into stitch onto multiple layers of fabric, coloured and printed by Year 1 Springvale Primary students. Adults in Penistone completed the task of cutting away layers of fabric to reveal a colourful location.
The rich Penistone history which is visible in it’s landmarks and figureheads should be evident in the map and illustrate this productive evolving place.
- Lucy Pimpernel Wood
How to use the townscape
Can you find these scenes in the townscape?
St. Johns Church: This is a Grade 1 listed building and has been on the same site for 1000 years. The church yard holds many stories including an interesting relationship between faith, the grammar school and the beginnings of the modern game of association football.
The Show Ground: This is is used for the Agricultural Show. People also walk the fields daily, exercise their dogs, access the Trans Pennine Trail and take in the far reaching views. The show has been part of Penistone heritage since 1853.
The Viaduct: A dominant landmark, opened in 1850 to aid transportation to and from the steel works, now Grade 2 listed. 29 arches in total, Many residents say the sight of this piece of engineering on the approach into town gives them that warm feeling of coming home.
Springvale School workshop
Cubley Hall workshop
Penistone Grammar School workshop
Springvale Garden workshop
About the artist
Lucy Pimpernel Wood
I have always been a painter. I grew up in a creative environment and was encouraged to make and sell my work from a young age. I completed a BA Hons in Fine Art in 2002. In the past 22 years I have exhibited widely and have work in public and private collections. I am proud to currently be represented by Barnsley and Sheffield Museums.
Painting allows me to study a scene in minute detail—I become familiar with every shape, every flicker of light, and every shadowed void. One of my pleasures is observing close-up sections of my work, appreciating the abstract qualities before stepping back to see how everything coalesces into a recognisable scene.
My process often begins with a watercolour wash, where I lay down the main shapes. I let the fluidity of the watercolour guide the composition rather than sketching in pencil. From there, I add depth carefully capturing highlights and shadows. The final touch involves gouache paint, finding joy in brush marks and gestures that express what I see.
My art is always inspired by a desire to evoke memories in the viewer. I value when people connect with my work, sharing their personal stories and ties to the locations I depict. These conversations often lead to new insights and deepen my appreciation for our connection to ‘place’.
I paint at my dining table after my children are asleep, balancing my creative practice with my role as Head of Art at a large high school. This evening ritual not only enriches my work but also makes me a better mother and teacher. I hope that the paintings I create today will serve as a testament to the places they capture, offering a glimpse into their history for future generations.
My original works are small in scale, each taking between 10 and 20 hours to complete. While I aim to finish one piece per week, the demands of daily life often make this a challenge—perhaps this will change as my children grow older. The prints I offer are produced in limited quantities, ensuring that each piece remains special for the collector.
The ‘Principal Townscapes’ project has been commissioned and funded by Barnsley Council's Cultural Development Fund programme, Storying Barnsley.