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The Olton Project
The Olton Project

Edith Holden

Edith Holden

Edith Blackwell Holden (1871–1920) was a British artist and teacher, known in her time as an illustrator of children's books. She lived on Kineton Green Road, opposite The (now) Olton Project, and worshipped at the former Church. Edith and her family were Unitarians, and therefore believed in the Oneness of God.

And in all things is a sign, that indicates to His Oneness.

Al-Ghazali
Portrait of Edith Holden.
Close-up of irises painted by Edith Holden.
Unitarians recognise Jesus (peace and blessings be upon him) as a Prophet and Saviour, in line with Muslim belief. It is very likely that Edith and her family were living in a period of ‘Ahlul Fatra’; a time between Jesus and Muhammad (peace be upon them), without having received the message of Islam. Edith’s spirituality shone through in her passion for nature, and spilled out onto the pages of her diary. A collection of her drawings, poems and short passages became a world-wide best-seller.
She found beauty in every aspect of the English countryside, making notes and drawings of common trees, birds and fruits, without making the mistake of equating their commonness with a lack of specialness. Edith was an example of a person who reflected on the beautiful variation of creation, and its indication towards the Creator. God, in the Quran, encourages us to reflect on nature around us:

And the Earth, We spread it out, and cast therein firmly set mountains, and We have made to grow therein of all beautiful kinds; to give sign and as a reminder to every servant, who turns to God.

Quran 50:78

He causes to grow for you thereby herbage, and the olives, and the palm trees, and the grapes, and of all the fruits; most surely there is a sign in this for a people who reflect.

Quran 16:11

He created the heavens without pillars, as you see them, and put mountains upon the Earth, lest it might convulse with you, and He spread it with animals of all kinds; and We sent down water from the clouds, then caused to grow therein (vegetation) of every noble kind.

Quran 31:10

The Country Diary in Song with Broomdasher

The Olton Project is honoured to have collaborated with Solihull Council and Broomdasher, a six-voice acapella folk group from London, to host a celebration of Edith’s life, through poetry and song on Saturday 7th March 2019. Broomdasher have earned an outstanding reputation for their harmonies and recordings, and are part of the National Sound Archive at the British Library. The concert was a beautiful way of honouring Edith, The Olton Project’s past history, and a continued message of spirituality, through observation of the wondrous world around us.
They will be back in Olton, on Saturday 25th September 2021 – this time at our neighbour’s, St. Margaret’s Church. The Olton Project will be there to support the performance and celebrate Edith Holden’s 150th birthday. You can see footage of their performance at TOP, by clicking below:

The Country Diary in Song with Broomdasher poster.

Broomdasher in performance at TOP.

The crowd during our Edith Holden event, with a quote from Solihull Radio: ‘Fabulous musical celebration’.

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Welcome to the The Olton Project (TOP). Over the last 10 years, we have been providing safe, open spaces for the community to meet, learn and grow together.

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The Olton Project
Kineton Green Rd,
Olton, Solihull,
West Midlands
B92 7EB
The Olton Project
Kineton Green Rd, Olton, Solihull,
West Midlands, B92 7EB

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Charity registration number: 1183781. © 2026 The Olton Project. Site by: Que Media.

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