Following the success of last year's inaugural event, Wilmslow's Festival of Nature will return this September.
Organised by a group of local organisations, including Transition Wilmslow, Wilmslow Civic Trust, Cycle Wilmslow and Climate Conscious Wilmslow, the family-friendly festival will run for a month.
Featuring a variety of different events aimed to encourage people to enjoy their local area and learn more about how to promote biodiversity and respond to climate change. Most festival events will take place on the weekends throughout September, and will include:
- Guided Walks and self-guided walks (with maps produced for the event)
- Talks, via zoom, each Wednesday in September, planned and run in conjunction with the Wilmslow Civic Trust
- Films at the Rex Cinema for both children and adults
- A Sustainable Fashion Fair at The Guild for Lifelong Learning.
- Food and Gardening - organisers will be hosting a harvest meal at the Community Market Garden at Oakenclough to share the produce grown by and for the community this year.
- An Art Exhibition. Artists will be asked for submissions of work on the subject of 'Inspired by Lindow'. Successful submissions will be on display at the Guild throughout September for everyone to enjoy.
- A flagship event in the centre of Wilmslow on Sunday 25th September. Organisers are proposing to host a car free event, which will feature pedal-powered music on the stage, children's activities, sports and more. Local businesses will be encouraged to join in and take advantage of the people who will be walking, running, scooting or skating into Wilmslow. DJ Chris Hawkins will host the main stage, with performances by local bands and speakers.
Andrew Backhouse, Chair of Transition Wilmslow, said " We had wonderful feedback from the 2021 Festival and it was fantastic to see hundreds of people (Wilmslow residents and people from further afield) come into town to enjoy walks, guided bike rides, a Repair Cafe, the Market Garden Open Day, the bike powered concert and other events, and our zoom talks were very popular with some participants from overseas!
"This year, we have more events for all the family so that we can all learn a bit more about the beautiful landscape on our doorstep and how to have fun without spending the earth or damaging the environment in which we live. New events for this year include an Art Exhibition ("Inspired by Lindow") and a Green Homes Tour to share information about saving energy."
Wilmslow Town Council has awarded a grant of £9,856 for Wilmslow's second Festival of Nature.
Martin Watkins, the outgoing Wilmslow Town Council Chairman, said of the grant, "We are pleased to be able to support Wilmslow's Festival of Nature for a second year, following its success in 2021. This year's Festival promises something for everyone; we hope it is inspiring and enjoyable for all who take part."
