The first Wollaton Arts Festival, a brand new event by and for the people of Wollaton, will take place 14 – 17 July 2016.
The festival will celebrate the vibrant local community in Wollaton, with free events for everyone to take part in, including a ‘Big Picnic’ in Wollaton Park on Sunday 17 July.
Artists have been gearing up for the event by decorating heart shaped bunting to be hung around Wollaton Park for the festival picnic, with the help of people in local care homes, schools and nurseries as well as ladies in Middleton Town Women’s Guild.
Shops on Bramcote Lane have already become a pop up art exhibition, displaying photos and paintings of Wollaton that were entered by local people into the Nottingham in Bloom competition. The art will also be displayed at a free exhibition in the Camellia House at Wollaton Park on Saturday 16 July.
Events include:
- Festival Gathering on Saturday 16 July – Take a trip down memory lane and find out about the history of Wollaton (and share your own photos and memories) plus enjoy live music
- Wollaton Arts Festival Bake Off on Saturday 16 July – Enter a showstopping cake in one of two categories, under 18 and over 18
- Wollaton Big Picnic on Sunday 17 July – A chance to enjoy food and drink, live music and entertainment with other local people, plus free storytelling and activities for children
- Plus a programme of creative workshops, tours, walks and exhibitions – see the full programme.
The festival has been funded through the local Area Committee. Councillor Steve Battlemuch said: “This is a great opportunity to come together and celebrate living in Wollaton and what we love about our community. Wollaton’s biggest claim to fame is the connection with Batman, but there’s so much more to us than that! I am sure local people will come out of this festival having made new friends and discovered new aspects to their home.”
Neighbourhood Development Officer for Wollaton, Lylse-Anne Renwick, said: “I want to encourage everyone living and working in Wollaton to join us at the first Wollaton Arts Festival. We need you to make the event a success and hopefully an annual event in Wollaton’s calendar.”