The people of Coventry will be flocking to the city’s parks and green spaces this weekend in a city-wide celebration of nature, in the hope of a wilder future beyond the City of Culture year.
Coventry City of Culture Trust will host its Wildlife Gathering on Friday 20 May until Sunday 22 May, and will invite the public into both familiar and previously unexplored spaces to celebrate the natural world and get closer to all species living in the city.
It is the third celebratory May weekend for UK City of Culture 2021 and follows Our Wilder Family, the ground-breaking drone show in War Memorial Park, where over 27,000 spectators, on top of thousands of viewers and listeners tuning in remotely, gathered to witness the astonishing aerial display. As part of the #GreenFutures initiative, these City of Culture events are encouraging people living in urban spaces to connect with the environment and blur the distinction between humanity and nature.
The three-day programme of activities will get underway on World Bee Day (Friday 20 May), continuing on International Tea Day (Saturday 21 May) and concluding on International Day for Biodiversity (Sunday 22 May).
Families are invited to take part in community ‘bee and tea’ parties, work with artists to create animal habitats, explore local walking trails and engage in an array of arts and crafts workshops, or discover the hidden green spaces scattered across the city.
A full list of activities is available online at https://coventry2021.co.uk/what-s-on/wildlife-gathering
Chenine Bhathena, Creative Director of Coventry City of Culture Trust, said: “Audiences really connected with spectacular and poignant poetry about nature and Our Wilder Family drone show in War Memorial Park last weekend.
“This weekend we put Coventry’s green landscapes under the spotlight as we discuss nature, the wilder environments that surround us and engage citizens in building towards a wilder future.
“We are inviting everyone to explore and discover our many parks and green spaces across the city and their natural habitats, as we present a range of activities across the weekend from moss mural trails and singing park benches, to bug hunts and botanical bunting workshops. Come along and help us to rediscover some of the wonderful natural spaces that the city has to offer.”
There will be creative events at 23 different sites from Holy Trinity Church to the Food Union Allotment, from Brandon Marsh to the Weaver’s House, and from Charterhouse to Hawkesbury Junction plus many other well-known and hidden away spots. Families can enjoy moss mural trails and storytelling walks, watch documentary films or experience open air cinema, try out bee-keeping, take a bug hunt or experience a new sensory Sound Seat, listen to folk music, take part in theatre workshops and craft activities, have a go at pond-dipping and charcoal drawing, make some ‘botanical bunting’ from wildflowers, and even experiment with cyanotyping or ‘sun-printing’.
#TeamWilder community grants of between £500 and £2000, funded by Coventry City of Culture Trust and administered by Warwickshire Wildlife Trust, are also available to support future projects. The deadline to apply is Thursday, May 26.
“Most events are free, some are ticketed or just drop in, so it’s best to check on our website or pick up a leaflet from the city centre,” Chenine added.
“Coventry City of Culture Trust’s legacy is going to put our #GreenFutures at the centre as we build a movement across the city to protect our nature and save our planet.”
Artists Rosie Tee and Bryony Simcox have co-created Sound Seat, a musical destination in the Sensory Garden at War Memorial Park, to bring communities together and combat loneliness.
It will be unveiled on Sunday, May 22 as part of Wildlife Gathering. They said: “We believe cities need more green spaces which create moments for reflection.
“With this in mind we’ve created Sound Seat, a sensory sculpture which includes playable recycled instruments and a soundscape made up of natural field recordings from the city.
“We hope people grow to love this organic structure and come to sit, listen and play.”
Sarah Allen, Education and Engagement Manager, Historic Coventry Trust, said: “Historic Coventry Trust are delighted to be part of the city-wide Wildlife Gathering, uncovering the past and sharing the future plans for Charterhouse Heritage Park.
“Visitors can explore the history of the walled garden, have a go at heritage crafts and can picnic along the River Sherbourne with free street theatre and live music.
“The day will be an exciting adventure for all generations, and an exclusive sneak preview of progress ahead of Charterhouse opening.”
Oasis Café in Upper Spon Street will have maps and programmes available on Saturday and Sunday from 10am to 3pm, as well as free drop-in creative crafts workshops from Creative Kindness.
Wildlife Gathering has been commissioned by Coventry City of Culture Trust as part of the #GreenFutures programme in partnership with Warwickshire Wildlife Trust, supported by the National Lottery Heritage Fund.