Songs of Landscape and Legend
by Lisa Fitzgibbon
Inspired by the picturesque Slad Valley in the Cotswolds, this song-cycle composed by Stroud-based singer/songwriter & music producer Lisa Fitzgibbon is informed by the life and work of local writer and poet Laurie Lee, whose writing explored our relationship with nature and the importance of community.
‘Ancient Rivals’ & ‘Murder at the Cross’ composed by Lisa Fitzgibbon & Jon Fletcher / ‘Rosie’s Reply’ composed by Lisa Fitzgibbon & Adam Horovitz
Down in the Valley - Communities Connect
Down in the Valley – Communities Connect is the latest chapter in a four-year creative journey, bringing Gloucestershire’s landscapes and communities together through music, story, and song. Inspired by Laurie Lee’s beloved book, Cider with Rosie, the project celebrates the spirit of place and belonging.
Supported by Arts Council England, self-investment, and the dedication of our partners (Gloucestershire Libraries, Gloucestershire Wildlife Trust, the Laurie Lee Estate, and Curtis Brown Publishers) this next phase brings the project into new and exciting spaces.
Through 'Story to Song' workshops, a new podcast series, community concerts, and a QR-coded Culture Trail along the Laurie Lee Wildlife Way, we invite you to explore the stories and songs woven into the landscape that inspired them.
This is a living, growing project. We warmly invite you to return to the website to discover new songs, stories, and milestones as Down in the Valley continues to unfold.
The Songs
Song #1
Swifts Hill
by Lisa Fitzgibbon
Listen below
Song #2
The Death of Florence Tuck
by Lisa Fitzgibbon
Listen below
Song #3
Ancient Rivals
by Lisa Fitzgibbon & Jon Fletcher
Listen below
Song #4
Winter in the Woolpack
by Lisa Fitzgibbon (melody trad.)
Listen below
Song #5
Murder at the Cross
by Lisa Fitzgibbon & Jon Fletcher
Listen below
Song #6
Rosie’s Reply
by Lisa Fitzgibbon & Adam Horovitz
Listen below
"So do I breathe the hayblown airs of home,
And watch the sea-green elms drip birds and shadows,
And as the twilight nets the plunging sun,
My heart’s keel slides to rest among the meadows."
– Home from Abroad, Laurie Lee
“This website is my audio mood-board, my work-in-progress project planner.
Music is usually dished up to us polished and completed. This website is a slow reveal… from the original song inspirations, to the writing process, the draft demo’s to the arrangements & (TBA) final multi-track recordings, video’s, release & live performances. It is a slow, long burn.
Please return to witness the songwriting process & creative evolution of the Down in the Valley songs.”
- Lisa Fitzgibbon
Cultural Recovery
Join Lisa as she researches and writes the songs motivated by the stories of community, legend and landscape from the beloved home and final resting place of the ‘Cider with Rosie’ author.
This cultural recovery project is supported using public funding by Arts Council England and is designed to facilitate creative engagement opportunities by composing new music, sharing stories and exploring nature using historic and local narratives.
Performance
Lisa Fitzgibbon & the PowerFolk Quartet will be performing the Down in the Valley song cycle Community Concerts in 2026.
They will be joined by local poet Adam Horovitz, who will be reading excerpts of “Cider with Rosie”.
For more details and bookings:
Down in the Valley concert information
Scheduled activities include:
THE STROUD SONGWRITERS CIRCLE
monthly gatherings in the Laurie Lee Bar at the Woolpack Inn, Slad, Gloucestershire.
STORY TO SONG
Workshops for ages 5–12yrs in libraries, giving children the
experience of writing and recording a song inspired by their favourite stories
PROJECT WEBSITE
This bespoke website features online video and audio content documenting the research and writing, production and release process of the five songs commissioned for the project.
QR CODE CULTURE TRAIL ON THE LAURIE LEE WAY.
COMMUNITY CONCERTS
