We have just wrapped up the Festival of Nature, a brand-new festival we launched this autumn. It was a joy to welcome so many of you to events across the county, to see communities come together and inspire people, many of whom were new to the Trust, to notice, celebrate and protect nature on their doorstep.

The festival was organised as a fringe-style programme, with over 80 events taking place across the county. We collaborated with a range of brilliant local partners, championing independent businesses and artists throughout the programme. 

Spectacular opening event at Seckford Theatre

We really enjoyed welcoming over 200 of you to our Festival of Nature launch event at Seckford Theatre in Woodbridge. The event provided the chance to gather as a community advocating for Suffolk’s wildlife, and to learn and become inspired by the line-up of motivating speakers. Our CEO Christine Luxton and Director of Wildlife Conservation & Recovery, Ben McFarland, spoke about the work the Trust is focusing on to ensure our wild places and wildlife are protected across the county, and how we can bring back what we’ve lost.

We were also delighted to welcome Ian Potter, a photographer who has documented the transformation of Martlesham Wilds, one of our newest nature reserves. This was followed by a fascinating discussion between artist & printmaker Angela Harding and the Trust’s president, William Kendall. Angela spoke about her journey in which she discovered printmaking and how nature and the Suffolk landscape have inspired her.  We also had the opportunity to look closely at some examples of her prints.  

Lighting up Carlton Marshes visitor centre with music and illuminations

During the festival, we hosted a special Open Evening event at Carlton Marshes visitor centre and the unique chance for visitors to experience the reserve after dark! 

We collaborated with Suffolk-based artist Henry Driver to showcase a deep dive into the world of water with a fantastic light projection and sound installation. People had the chance to experience Henry’s game, Treeplanter, and to experiment using an old school projector to make their own projections. We also welcomed local musicians, including folk singer Robin Torbitt and harp player Xenia Horne to perform a mix of beautiful songs. It was wonderful to see so many new people enjoying Carlton Marshes as the sun set.

Art and Activism combine

Throughout the festival, there were opportunities to take practical, bold action to help protect our natural wild spaces. We hosted the Great British Beach Clean at Trimley Marshes, and a series of free pop-up Craftivism workshops in Lowestoft, Ipswich and Stowmarket. We engaged local young people with the sessions, and lots of brilliant campaigning envelope designs were made.

We were also delighted to partner with Bury Literature Festival, and to hear from inspiring authors, including Dr Helen Scales and environmental journalist Fred Pearce.

Collaborations with local creatives, cultural spaces and independent businesses

We collaborated with a range of brilliant local businesses and creatives throughout the festival programme, including Gainsborough’s House, John Peel Centre, SPILL Festival, Frankie’s Studio, Lois Gunn Studio, Ipswich Book Festival, Bury Literature Festival, The Green Room, Set Wild, Furtherfield, Suffolk Libraries, New Street Market and more!

Workshop highlights included a natural dye workshop led by artist Nabil Ali, a poetry reading evening with Eliza O’Toole and Rebecca Goss, and our heritage craft open weekend at Bradfield Woods, featuring work by Harriet Memory and Wendy Theobald.

Creating space to slow down in nature 

Our wellbeing and movement workshops were very popular and sold out almost instantly! From yoga at Bradfield Woods, to a sound bath in the Orangery at Holywells Park, the festival programme provided unique opportunities to explore movement and relaxation in beautiful, natural settings.

Community building and new friendships were made at our Women of the Woods event to celebrate the autumn equinox, and rambles led by Set Wild through the Suffolk countryside. Jodie from Sanctuary Sound Therapy hosted soothing sound baths and Dr Mitzi Noble Munuo hosted mindful yoga classes throughout the festival. Other events gave people the chance to slow down and notice the details in nature, including a guided foraging walk with artist Nabil Ali and meditation with Furtherfield on Felixstowe beach.

Partnerships with local book festivals and National Poetry Day

We were very happy to have had the opportunity to collaborate with Bury Literature Festival and Ipswich Book Festival, to host a range of exciting author talks and writing workshops across Suffolk. Zoologist and entomologist Dr Ross Piper and illustrator Carim Nahaboo led a fascinating talk about their book, The Wonder of Insects. The audience enjoyed Q&A events with acclaimed writers including Stephen Rutt, Michael J Warren and Robert Ashton across venues in Bury St Edmunds. Plus, on World Poetry Day, we hosted a poetry evening at The Green Room with Eliza O’Toole and a writing workshop with Rebecca Goss at the University of Suffolk.