Winter Gathering - Derby Arboretum

We celebrated a Winter Gathering at Derby Arboretum on 22 December. It was well attended with performances from the Rebel Women's Choir, Alan Squires musicians, crafts stalls, refreshments and even Santa visiting. The wildlife area was decorated with leaf bunting and lights.

Free Creative Workshops over the summer

Pop up puppets, painted pinecones, dream catchers, and rockets, lots of great art made over the holidays.
We have one more session on Thursday 29 August, peg insects, 10am-12pm and 1-3pm at Grove Lodge, Derby Arboretum.

RHS Chatsworth - Well Dressing

We spent a busy 5 days working at RHS Chatsworth delivering 'Have a Go' workshops at the show for visitors. The theme of the show was 'Wellbeing' and 'the 5 senses', so we created a mandala design and used traditional well dressing materials as well as cumin, coriander and cardoman seeds which gave a lovely aroma. 

Musicians at the show

Early morning in the marquee, before the rush!

A full marquee well dressing

International Women's Day 2019

We delivered a series of workshops to create placards and decorations for the International Women's Day event in Derby Arboretum.
We worked with St Joseph's Brownies, Roma Community Care, Derby Woodcraft Folk, Sahaly Women's Group, and 2 drop in sessions at Derby Arboretum and Derby Women's Centre. We had a busy few weeks and the event was a great success.

LUMINATE Lantern & Light Festival

A wonderful Luminate festival at the start of November, over 200 people came along, the weather was dry, a bit chilly but perfect for a lantern procession. 

We were accompanied by violinist, Helen Hitchcock, together with Chip Off The Old Morris team, musicians and dances, and Mick McNaught providing guitar and hurdy-gurdy music in the Orangery.
The Friends of Derby Arboretum helped organise the event, supervising the sculptures, making and serving the hot soup and taking photos. Well done to everyone for a great community event.

We invited artists to create light sculptures for around the park as well as having 100 lanterns to carry in the procession. 

Patrick and Ria Ashcroft, Green Man and Ice Queen

Concertina Animals @ Grove Lodge

A great session working with local families to create Concertina Animals in the park.

Pipe Cleaner Bugs in the lodge

All age workshop in the Easter Holidays at Grove Lodge