Will Matthews: Film Maker & Youtuber

Written By Holly Emmett

Folklore wouldn’t exist without people. Will Matthews takes time to explore his community to find the folk that make up his local heritage and stories, and will become the ‘folklore’ of the future. Using his passion for filmmaking, his Youtube Field Notes explores community and the individuals who make it. We had the pleasure of chatting to Will about the magic of every day folk, the Gloucester Cheese Rolling festival and a specific interview with a local folklorist.

Northern Folklore Archive: Your Youtube Channel Field Notes explores different communities and finds creative individuals to chat to, if you didn't consider yourself part of 'folk' culture, you certainly should! You're highlighting every day folk! Which interview has been your favourite so far?

I’d have to say my most recent video with Dandelion is my favourite. I’d never been surrounded by a place so whimsical before, such a change of scenery was a shock to the system.

However, Dandelion is such an open and friendly shop owner that instantly I felt as if I wasn’t intruding and by the end of our chat I was inspired to explore less mainstream ways of living, that would help me fully embrace the natural world.

Something that I gained from the chat that I didn’t expect, was just how eye opening it was to go from a space of spiritual healing, to somewhere like Morrisons where I parked my car. Everything felt so bright, glaring and ugly to look at by comparison.

It was super interesting to hear an animists belief system, being a nature lover myself it was amazing to hear new ways of appreciating it. It’s the chat that’s changed my opinion the most.

You've done a video about the Gloucester Cheese Rolling festival, a really fun folk custom; the first written evidence of cheese rolling was found in 1826... how was that experience?!

It was probably the most surreal thing I’ve ever done. I was really surprised with the amount of camaraderie. Chants of “cheese cheese cheese”, when we were in the “just for fun” race is something that makes me laugh to myself every time I look back on it.

With everything going on in the world, it’s so cool to me that people can come together for the silliest event, and the fact that we’ve collectively been this weird for basically 200 years is so funny and heart warming.

When me and my best mate pulled into the car park and saw the hill for the first time, and how unfathomably steep it was, I instantly knew it would be something that both of us would go on to talk about for a very long time. I’m so glad he was there for moral support, and to remind me that I must have a few screws loose.

It felt great to be part of history and such a longstanding tradition, it filled me with confidence to know that so many people had done it, and also that there had been no deaths.

You have an interview with a lovely man named Dandelion, who owns a collaborative shop filled with folkloric items, did your chat with Dandelion pique your interest in folklore?

Oh 100%, I purchased one of his tree weaves which, in our chat he explains, are created with a bit of “madness and intuitive flow”. He explains that there is a longstanding tradition with Pagan pathways of “asking”, this refers to picking up and using natural materials such as wood. Dandelion puts small bits of wood and various other items like acorns into his weaves, enabling the life force of the natural item to translate into his work.

I also purchased an oracle deck called “Oracle of Shifting Shadow”, (created and painted by sisters Mort Sparrow & Emily Sparrow) the hand painted folkloric imagery has definitely made me interested to learn more about folklore.

The images depict such interesting versions of spirits and beings. The deck has helped me understand new areas about myself that I think would have gone unnoticed otherwise, helping as a guide through each day.

Lastly (and I'm asking this to everyone) one of the Northern Folklore Duo is a huge film fan, so this question is purely for him... what is your favourite film?!

My favourite film is Princess Mononoke (1997), the way it depicts nature really resonates with me as it’s all out the forest spirits. I love trying to think about what our own forest spirits would look like in real life, I’d recommend the movie to any nature or folk lover.

It was so lovely to chat to Will, and Field Notes is such a lovely project. Will’s creativity and love for talking to people and showcasing their stories really shines in his videos! You can find Field Notes over on YouTube Field Notes - YouTube and Instagram @field.notes1.

 

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