Wokingham borough council’s Forest of Imagination comes to Dinton Pastures country park this weekend.
School children will take part in two days of workshops on Thursday (May 22) and Friday (May 23), followed by two days of free events and activities open to the general public on Saturday and Sunday from 10am.
The finishing touches are now taking place ahead of a bumper four-day showcase, bringing a new type of arts, culture and education event to the borough.
Anyone visiting the borough’s flagship country park this week will be able to see the final installations taking shape.
A full schedule of the weekend’s events, free for everyone to take part in, can be found on the Forest of Imagination Wokingham borough website. From later this week, anyone visiting will be able to see:
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Giant insect antennae’s, inspired by the insects that inhabit Dinton Pastures, designed by artist Matt Leece. Placed along the pathways, these antennae invite visitors to touch their strange and marvellous shapes and even look through them for a bug’s eye view of the park
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A towering installation of playful, Biodiversity Totems, each topped with a creature from the local area. Designed by landscape architect, Andrew Grant, Royal Designer for Industry, whose work explores the connection between people and nature both at Forest of Imagination and globally
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Shade under the Forest Shelter, designed by Carpenter Oak, this outdoor classroom created and built especially for this event will be hosting workshops throughout the weekend, and will remain at Dinton to be used as an outdoor learning and community space as a legacy of Forest of Imagination
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Connect with the heart of the Forest, using artist Andrew Amondson’s, Walking With, a creative installation of written prompts and signs that guide you on a journey weaving with the environment, nature and your own personal reflections
As part of Wokingham borough council’s ongoing commitment to tackle the climate emergency, residents are being encouraged to use cleaner, greener or more active ways to travel to Dinton Pastures for this event.
My Journey Wokingham can help you to walk, scoot, cycle or use public transport to get anywhere in the borough. Try the quick journey planner to plan your route to Dinton from your home.
The council has partnered with Bath Spa University, House of Imagination and Grant Associates to bring the award-winning Forest of Imagination to the borough.
Since February there have been dozens of free workshops for residents, businesses and schools. Hundreds of people have taken part, including pupils at 14 primary, secondary and special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) schools.
The project is fully funded by a grant from the UK Government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund.
Forest of Imagination has run successfully as a pop-up contemporary arts event in Bath since 2014, but this is the first time it has sprung up elsewhere in the country.
Cllr Mark Ashwell, executive member for economic development, sport, leisure and the arts, said: “We look forward to welcoming residents to Forest of Imagination at Dinton Pastures this weekend. Saturday and Sunday have a full schedule full of fantastic activities perfect for a family day out, as well as the installations and all the usual things to enjoy at the borough’s flagship country park.”
Dr Penny Hay, professor of imagination at Bath Spa university, said: “Celebrating our collective imagination and our relationship with the natural world, the Forest of Imagination team is excited to bring this unique creative project to the communities in Wokingham borough to inspire future generations.”
Cllr Prue Bray, deputy leader and executive member for children’s services, said: “This weekend combines arts, culture and education to bring something to the borough which is new, exciting and the first-of-its-kind for the area.
“Hundreds of children will be the first to enjoy the spectacle at our days for students on Thursday and Friday, before welcoming residents over the weekend.
“It’s been fantastic to work with so many young people and residents in recent months as we’ve got ready for the showcase event.”
The project has received £516,817 from the UK Government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund. This includes dozens of school and community workshops for hundreds of residents since the start of the year, as well as the showcase weekend.
The UK Shared Prosperity Fund aims to improve pride in place and increase life chances across the UK, investing in communities and place, supporting local business, and people and skills. For more information, visit the UK Shared Prosperity
