Join us on Saturday 22 April for ‘The Wild Escape’, a celebration of the natural world to coincide with Earth Day.
The event will start with a ‘Dance Free’ session at Lincoln Castle from 8.45am to 9.30am. Using silent disco headphones, participants will be able to let go of their worries and free their minds in this unique uplifting outdoor musical experience.
Suitable for everyone aged 8 and up – tickets for ‘Dance Free for Earth Day’ are available from the Lincoln Castle website.
Then, at the Museum of Lincolnshire Life from 10am, visitors will be able to see demonstrations in wood turning and bodging, take part in pottery workshops and craft activities, and learn about edible flower planting.
There will also be stalls from local and national organisations supporting the environment with loads of ideas about sustainability.
Entertainment will be provided throughout the day by Poacher Morris Dancing and music from Experimental Sonic Machines.
Anita Fox, learning manager and organiser of the Earth Day event, said:
“Earth Day has become a popular date in the diary around the world. And, as interest in the environment and climate change continues to grow, we’re hosting a fun and engaging day of activities that celebrates our vast green county and the wider natural world.
“As well as sharing ideas about sustainability, there’s plenty for visitors of all ages to get involved in, from music and dancing, to planting and crafting. Look out for our mascot Rusti the Red Squirrel too, who’ll help visitors make their own special Earth Day pledges.”
First held in 1970, Earth Day is an annual worldwide event on 22 April to demonstrate support for environmental protection.
The Wild Escape Earth Day event will be open at the Museum of Lincolnshire Life on Burton Road, Lincoln, from 10am to 3.30pm on Saturday 22 April.
Entry to the museum is free on the day, but some activities come at a small cost and may need to be booked in advance. Visit the Investigate Learning website for more details.
The Wild Escape is made possible by lead support from Arts Council England’s National Lottery Project Grants, with addition support from Art Fund and a group of generous individuals and trusts.
We are excited to have a wide range of collaborators holding stalls and giving demonstrations on the day. Here’s a bit more about them:
Dance Free
Dance Free is a free-movement dance activity, held at beautiful natural locations across Lincolnshire. Experience mindful-moving through music in nature. Fun and welcoming for all. Guiding you into your comfort zone, to feel happy, release worries and stresses, and experience a connection with you, others and nature.
When we move freely in nature our hearts open and senses heighten, leading to a deep connection and appreciation for beauty.
For more on Dance Free, see www.wedancefree.com
Earthlincs
Created by some local not for profit groups, and supported by Lincoln City Council, they currently run a climate cafe at the Mint Lane Cafe on Saturday afternoons. They are also seeking larger premises. Their vision is to offer a cafe, repair workshops, library of things, education, exhibitions, craft-embellished second hand goods, information, resource sharing, skills workshops, meeting spaces. The people of Lincoln are already suffering due to our changing climate, so they will also be listening to their experiences and learning what more they can do to help. The Earthlincs stall will also provide a demonstration of seed bomb making.
Experimental Sonic Machines
Experimental Sonic Machines is a one-person-and-a-robot electronic music project based in Lincoln UK. Peter uses scrap materials & run-down cells & solar power to create original electronic & acoustic music. He uses paper disc programs & wear sci-fi style costumes. He doesn’t drive and uses a bicycle & trailer to transport my equipment, & public transport or lifts with friends for further afield events. He uses energy-efficient circuits to minimize power consumption. The music & equipment is developing from performance to performance – each one is unique, with established songs plus improvisation.
Green Synergy
More information on Green Synergy can be found online.
Historic Places Team
Come and join Lincolnshire County Council’s Historic Places Team who will be showcasing how investigating the past can contribute to a greener future. Archaeology has enormous potential to help us understand how human forces have impacted the natural environment throughout history and how we can direct a positive change for the future based upon historic evidence!
Lincolnshire Wolds Countryside Service
They are committed to nature recovery within the Area of Natural Beauty (AONB), that is the Lincolnshire Wolds. They advise farmers on how best to look after the land for the benefit of nature, and help communities improve their local environments. Lincolnshire Wolds Countryside Service (LWCS) also publishes a large number of walk leaflets and information sheets to ensure locals and visitors alike get the best experience from their connection to the AONB.
At Earth Day, LWCS will be showcasing the importance of hedges in nature recovery. There will be clay tiles to make, a tree identification quiz and an opportunity to have a go at a hedgerow survey. Come along and grab your free ‘Hedge Hero’ badge so you can spread the word about the humble hedge.
Lincs Loves Plants
Love Lincs Plants (formally known as Lincolnshire Plants: Past & Future) is a Lottery Heritage Fund supported project to create a collection of native Lincolnshire plants. The collection is held in a number of locations including two geographically separate herbaria.
Old Wood Organic CIC
Old Wood Organic CIC, began as a response to the pandemic. The owners, Ben and Atma wanted a place of refuge during these unprecedented times and retreated to a plot of land in Skellingthorpe to reconnect with an inner sense of peace and foster a loving relationship with the Earth – hoping to restore feelings of wellbeing.
The first step was to build a market garden among the trees. With the help of Ben’s trusted friend Finn and his knowledge of organic growing techniques, Ben set to work nurturing the soil and planting a diverse range of fruits and vegetables, using the No-Dig technique. The nourished soil brought abundant growth and delicious produce, which Ben and Atma now share with local restaurants and organisations.
As their family grew to include Ayla-Rose, Atma and Ben felt called to share the serenity of their woodland space with others who might be in need of the same restorative peace they had discovered while tending to the land. This is how an intensional community begun to grow around them. Land and Leaf Collective joined with Old Wood Organic CIC to provide forest school and outdoor education for Home Educated children.
In September 2022, the idea for the Woodland Wellbeing Programme was born and supported by Shine managed funding. On this programme the local community can access free holistic wellbeing courses that include, therapeutic horticulture, Yoga, Mindfulness, Sustainable Eco Crafts and most recently added Green Workworking.
Plastic Free Lincoln
Plastic Free Lincoln is part of a national campaign, Plastic Free Communities, organised by the environmental charity SAS – Surfers Against Sewage. The Plastic Free Lincoln campaign group are leading a campaign to achieve Plastic Fee community status for Lincoln.
Sir Joseph Banks Natural history and Science Centre
The Joseph Banks Centre is a recently restored Grade II listed building in Horncastle, Lincolnshire. The building houses numerous curated collections including History Society archives, a Reference Library, Herbarium and Tribute Garden. There is also a variety of technical equipment, including IT systems and 3D imagers & 3D printers, used to support the Centre’s science work. See website
Joseph Banks Centre – Natural Science & Local Heritage (horncastlejbc.info)
Slow Circular Earth
More information about Slow Circular Earth can be found online.
Victoria MacDonald Pottery workshops
Victoria is a member of the learning team and has been doing pottery since she was a child and professionally since 2012. She loves both teaching and making, particularly using historically informed techniques. Her own work ranges from animal figurines to wheel thrown pots to maiolica tiles, which you can find at The Pot Shop, 16 Steep Hill, Lincoln.
The Wildlife Trusts
Providing information on local wildlife and the nature reserves they care for, with a representative on hand to chat to the public. They hope to encourage people to learn more about the wildlife on their doorstep and what they can do to help conserve it, through offering advice on wildlife gardening and current projects, volunteering and supporting the Trust by becoming a member. People are often surprised by just how many wildlife events are available to them. Visit their website online for more information.