'First-ever' nature festival coming to county

16 hours ago

George KingSuffolk

The Suffolk Wildlife Trust is working with local businesses as part of the festival, including Woodbridge studio and shop owner Lois Gunn

Suffolk Wildlife Trust Lois Gunn wearing round dangly earrings, necklace, black jumper and blue trousers with a brown belt, holding up a Festival of Nature poster. She is looking at the camera. Behind her is some shelving on which there are ceramics. — The Suffolk Wildlife Trust is working with local businesses as part of the festival, including Woodbridge studio and shop owner Lois Gunn

The wonders of nature and the environment will be celebrated and explored during a three-week festival, which has been described as the first of its kind in Suffolk.

The Suffolk Wildlife Trust (SWT) will hold its inaugural Festival of Nature throughout September and October, with a series of events taking place across the county.

The charity is working with local businesses and organisations to make it happen, giving people the chance to learn about the county's ecosystems.

Jesse Jacobs, senior marketing officer at the trust, said she was "hugely excited" and said the festival would offer "something for everyone".

"Suffolk's countryside and wild places are renowned nationwide, [and] this is our chance to celebrate what we have and showcase our support for it," she said.

"There isn't just one way to engage with nature — the Festival of Nature is all about finding new ways to explore and celebrate the wildlife and nature on our doorsteps.

"Our mission is to encourage one in four people to take meaningful action for nature — working together to make Suffolk a better place for people and nature alike."

The event aims to bring the community together by encouraging festival-goers to learn more about nature, such as the oystercatcher

Ben Andrew/RSPB An oystercatcher walking alone on a beach. It is black with a long pointy orange beak, and a large white breast and underside, and pinkish legs. It has a red eye. — The event aims to bring the community together by encouraging festival-goers to learn more about nature, such as the oystercatcher

The festival, running from 20 September until 11 October, will boast everything from creative workshops and mesmerising projections to nature-themed video games.

There will also be immersive sound baths, sound installations, drop-in creative and discovery sessions, and an evening of dance.

It will kick-off at the Seckford Theatre, in Woodbridge, with a talk from Rutland-based wildlife illustrator Angela Harding who said she was "delighted" to have been invited to take part.

Robin Deacon, artistic director of Spill, in Ipswich, is also supporting the Festival of Nature

The Suffolk Wildlife Trust Robin Deacon. He is wearing a brown cardigan over a navy blue top. He is standing in front of a brick building and holding a Festival of Nature poster. — Robin Deacon, artistic director of Spill, in Ipswich, is also supporting the Festival of Nature

"Suffolk's rich wildlife has long been a source of inspiration for my work; from wading birds along the River Deben to swifts soaring through summer skies," said Harding.

"I'll be sharing my experience as an artist capturing nature through print, as well as offering a glimpse into my creative process and the influences behind my work."

All events will be open to both the public and SWT members, with access being granted for free or a small fee.

Angela Harding appeared on BBC Radio 4's Desert Island Discs in October

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