Join in with a weekend of nature activities and events at The Forum in Norwich 21 – 22 April
This April, Norfolk Festival of Nature is marking the start of spring by inviting people to join in a weekend of nature themed activities and events at The Forum in Norwich.
With hands-on activities like pond dipping and a city tree trail, amazing live video feeds of peregrines falcons, storytelling and writing workshops, and some fascinating talks by nature experts from Norfolk and beyond, this month’s Norfolk Festival of Nature promises to inspire and entertain in equal measure.
Now in its third year, the Festival celebrates our cultural relationships with the natural world, and seeks to empower people to explore nature and its importance in our lives.
Festival organiser Kathy Gill said: “Nature lovers everywhere know Norfolk as a byword for amazing wildlife and wild places, from coastal dunes and saltmarsh, to freshwater reedbed havens, sandy heathland and so much more. Our county’s natural riches have inspired generation after generation of writers, artists, inventors and industrialists, not to mention naturalists and conservationists.
“By bring Norfolk’s nature into the city at The Forum this month, Norfolk Festival of Nature gives people of all ages a chance to dive into this creative world inspired by the nature around us, maybe be inspired themselves by the wonderful things there are to find there, and of course to have fun and enjoy themselves doing it!”
Events programme:
Saturday 21 April
The Festival Debate: The Fight for Nature
At the centre of this month’s Festival activities is the Festival Debate, chaired by poet and UEA lecture Jos Smith, which will see both panel and audience getting to grips with the question of what role writing about nature has to play in nature conservation today. On the panel will be some of the UK’s best contemporary nature writers, including Jean McNeil, Laurence Rose, Karen Lloyd and James Lowen.
Mark Cocker – interview and book launch
The debate will be introduced by an on stage interview between Jean McNeil and award-winning Norfolk-based nature writer Mark Cocker, who will be launching his latest book, Our Place, at the Festival.
Sunday 22 April
Free activities for families and kids in The Forum’s atrium – with pond dipping, live camera feeds from the peregrines at Norwich Cathedral and Norfolk Wildlife Trust’s Cley nature reserve. Storytelling and writing workshops in the library.
Sunday in the library
11am – storytelling trail led by author in residence, Isabelle King
11am – 1.30pm Writing about Urban Nature: writing Workshop with poet and UEA lecturer Jos Smith. A workshop for young adults (aged 16 to 25)
2pm – Jess French: ‘minibeasts’ – Vet, zoologist and presenter of CBeebies’ ‘Minibeast Adventure with Jess’, meet some of the stars of Jess’s new book in this interactive event!
Sunday Tree Trails
Enjoy an hour-long walk on the trail of some of Norwich city centre’s notable trees, with the Woodland Trust’s John Fleetwood. Walks start at The Forum at 11am, 1pm, and 3pm.
Sunday Nature Talks
A series of talks throughout the day on the topic of nature. Tickets £3 per talk or £10 for a full day (four talks) via eventbrite.co.uk.
11am – The Lady of the Reeds: The Rediscovery of Norfolk’s Pioneering Bird Photographer Emma Turner with James Parry of the Breckland Society.
12.30pm – HIppos are native to Norfolk: with Dr David Waterhouse (Senior Curator of Natural History for Norfolk Museums Service).
2pm – From Islington to the Norfolk Broads: Wild Norfolk and Me with the RSPB’s Steve Rowland. A gentle and humorous take on moving to and discovering nature in Norfolk the County with his family.
3.30pm – Wildlife Matters: How much does our wildlife mean to us? With Norfolk Wildlife Trust’s David North.
For more details of all the Norfolk Festival of Nature events taking place this month, and to book tickets, visit
www.norfolkfestivalofnature.co.uk.