A Festival of Nature and Creativity
ARTS + ENTERTAINMENT
inside THE FESTIVAL :
WEALDEN FESTIVAL 2023 :
A Festival of Nature and Creativity
RETURNING TO THE ENCHANTING SETTING OF BOLDSHAVES GARDEN NEAR TENTERDEN OVER TWO MIDSUMMER
DAYS ON 24 AND 25 JUNE , THIS YEAR ' S WEALDEN FESTIVAL STANDS IN CELEBRATION OF THE WONDER OF THE NATURAL WORLD AND THE MYRIAD WAYS WE RESPOND TO OUR SURROUNDINGS THROUGH OUR IDEAS , IMAGINATION AND ENDLESS POTENTIAL FOR CREATIVITY . IT WILL SHINE A LIGHT ON OUR STRAINED RELATIONSHIP WITH THE ENVIRONMENT , ON THE WAYS IN WHICH WE MIGHT BETTER CHERISH THE NON- HUMAN WORLD AND , IN SO DOING , NURTURE OUR OWN WELLBEING .
The festival will feature some of our foremost writers , acclaimed historians , ground-breaking scientists and much-loved poets . Speakers range from household names ( Michael Morpurgo , Will Gompertz , A . C . Grayling ) and award-winning nature writers ( Dara McAnulty , Keggie Carew , Charles Foster , Mark Cocker ) to bestselling historians and scientists ( Tom Holland , Adam Rutherford ).
Themes that the festival will cover include motherhood ( Lucy Jones ), nutrition and mental health ( Kimberley Wilson ), our obsession with the seaside ( Madeleine Bunting ), climate change ( Katie Holten , Gaia Vince ) and farming ( Sarah Langford , Philip Lymbery ).
The festival ’ s acclaimed children ’ s programme – designed to nurture the next generation ’ s love of nature and the outdoors – will feature children ’ s authors and illustrators , including Pari Thomson , Petr Horacek and Kent-based writers , Rebecca Smith and Lucy Strange . It will also offer an array of bushcraft and nature-inspired activities as well as arts and crafts sessions .
One of the highlights of the festival is the setting itself . The ancient woodland surrounding the gardens at Boldshaves will once again be transformed into a haven of outdoor adventure for children and adults alike where trees are for climbing , food is foraged and stories are shared .
A series of expert-led workshops focusing on issues relating to sustainability and the environment will include tips on how to garden in an environmentallyfriendly way , how to grow your own fruit , veg and mushrooms , how to mend and recycle clothes and even how to start your very own smallholding .
Creativity takes centre stage again with an extended programme of creative workshops . Develop your writing skills , take part in painting and pigmentmaking courses , discover new crafts from printmaking , book-binding , etching and basket-weaving . Take your pick ! Meanwhile , the festival ’ s artist-inresidence for 2023 , Helen Barnard ( from Sissinghurst ), will be exhibiting her own body of work inspired by Boldshaves Garden and the themes that the festival represents .
Local artisans and producers abound with a dedicated makers ’ market showcasing many of the South East ’ s most original craftspeople and delicious food and drink .
A family-friendly camping ground nestled amongst the fields and woodland at the festival site offers boutique glamping options as well as pitches for tents . Don ' t forget to sign up to the popular evening feast provided this year in collaboration with Faversham-based Wasted Kitchen and soak up the relaxed atmosphere in the peaceful setting .
In the words of festival patron , Michael Morpurgo :
“ To be at Wealden Festival , at Boldshaves , is to be with kindred spirits , telling our tales , talking our talk , singing our songs , listening and learning , eyes open and ears open , hearts open , to one another and to the wild and wondrous world about us .”
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