For a second year running, the Ct5 People’s Forum Eco Group are excited to be running a week of nature-related activities and adventures for all ages, from Monday August 7th to Sunday August 13th.
Wild about Whitstable will be a community collaboration by many individuals, groups and locations who share a common desire to improve and celebrate biodiversity in CT5 and beyond. We will also highlight the impact of climate change and the depletion of nature to show how we can play our part in its restoration.
Details of the Wild About Whitstable programme can be found here including a day by day guide to what’s on, who it’s for, how to book and how to join. Here you’ll also find highlights and pictures of last year’s events.
WAW are also taking over The Horsebridge for several workshops each day, a balcony display, evening talks and a nature related film. Places are free on all of these events, please make sure you book your ticket below as places are limited.
In the main Hall of the Umbrella Centre they will be holding an Eco Fair on Saturday 12th Aug, 10am - 4pm. The Fair will bring together many of the participants in the week and others who share our common purpose.
Highlights of the week will include: Sand under the microscope at Whitstable Museum; a Bee-Bomb making workshop in the Umbrella Centre garden; a Seaside Walk with Ian Tittley of the Natural History museum; Folklore of Wild Plants with Roy Vickery at the Castle; a day in the life of Longrock’s wildlife with our own Andy Taylor (the Bird Man); a Bioblitz at Streamwalk Community Garden; Saturday morning Beach Clean; creative nature-related workshops for children and young people at the Horsebridge, how to rewild your garden in a local back-garden, and lots, lots more…
Competition! Can you capture the Wild World of Whitstable with a photograph?
Our natural world gives us such glories, from beautiful Maritime panoramas, stunning sunsets, dramatic landscapes, rare plants, wildflowers and incredible birds and insects. What is the one aspect of our natural world which you would like to share through a photograph?
There are four catagories
5-11 years
12-17 years
18 and over
Professional Photographer
WAW are delighted that international photographer Alistair Philip Wiper will be judging the competition.
You will be able to submit your entry online from 10am on August 7th, read all about how to enter and get thinking!
Prints will be cropped to 30 x 40cm for framing, so please consider this for your composition.
Evening events at The Horsebridge
All activities are FREE, but please book tickets as spaces are limited.
Monday 7th August at 6.30pm
Talk: All about eels
with Matthew Hatchwell
Matthew will talk about the amazing ecology of the European eel and its marathon migration between Europe and the Sargasso Sea, threats to the survival of this critically endangered fish, and its place in British history and popular culture.
Tuesday 8th August at 6.30pm
Talk: Practical Wildlife Gardening
with Dr Steve Head, Founder Patron of the Wildlife Gardening Forum
Steve will give you some clear pointers to how you can make your home a haven for wildlife and add birdsong, colour and movement to your garden.
Wednesday 9th August at 7pm
Film: River
RIVER takes you on a journey through space and time; spanning six continents, and drawing on extraordinary contemporary cinematography, showing rivers on scales and from perspectives never seen before. Narrated by Willem Defoe.
Friday 11 August at 6.30pm
Talk: Why did the Hedgehog cross the road?
with Hugh Warwick, hedgehog-loving ecologist and author.
Hugh shares his love of hedgehogs in an illustrated (and funny) talk, explaining why they are in trouble – and what we can do to help.
Kids activities at The Horsebridge
All activities are FREE, but please book tickets as spaces are limited.
Monday 7th August
Down Under the Sea with Hey Diddle Music
Enjoy songs, movement, activities and instrument play to help little ones explore an underwater world through music and dance.
9:15 - 10am 3-4 year olds
10:15 - 11am 0-2 years old
Siblings are welcome at both sessions.
3 - 4 year olds
0 - 2 year olds
Wednesday 9th August
Bird mobiles with Debbie from Cygnini crafts
Craft colourful, feathery birds to turn into beautiful driftwood hanging mobiles.
10 - 10.45am or 11 - 11.45am
Suitable for ages 7 - 11. Accompanying adults(and younger siblings) are welcome to stay and join in.
10 - 10.45 am
11 - 11.45 am
Thursday 10th August
Young Makers Club Goes Wild!
An introduction into origami (the art of paper folding). Learn how to create animals and/or floral bouquets in this paper craft workshop
12 - 1pm or 2.30 - 3.30pm
Suitable for ages 6 - 11.
12 - 1 pm
2.30 - 3.30 pm
Friday 11th August
Nocturnal garden animals
Crafting night time animals such as hedgehogs, bats and with natural and found materials.
Drop in between 10am - 12pm
Family craft session suitable for all ages, booking advised.
Drop-in 10am-12pm
Booking advised
Earth pigment workshop with Sharon Cavalier
£45 for 2 hours, email scavalier69@gmail.com to book, limited places available.
Saturday 12th August from 11am - 1pm
Experiments with earth materials gathered from East Kent’s shoreline to process into natural paints.
A 2 hour workshop exploring experiments using locally sourced pigments. It is designed for those interested in sustainable and plastic free paint making. Starting with a presentation of historical and present day favourite places of interest to visit. We then identify examples of biological pigments discussing Sharon Cavalier’s own collection. A short demonstration and instruction will be given to the process and method of pigment making with health and safety guidelines. Each student will create their own painted samples, watercolour paints, and a small corked bottle filled with powder pigment to take home. Students will be encouraged to exchange ideas and how this process might be used for their own artistic means of expression.
All materials will be provided. Students are welcome to bring in their own samples of coloured rocks, soils and minerals.
