It sparked conversations about our environment, and how we might build better guardians for the future of natural spaces like Hollingworth Lake Country Park, where the event took place.
Audiences wandered through woodland discovering the wildlife that inhabits the area - badgers, moths, hedgehogs, owls - brought to life through lanterns, fire and magical installations, with sounds of rooks, owls and bats to enhance the experience. The centrepiece and final element in the journey was the giant Baby: the audience heard a sonic poem created by recording the children that visited the Baby outside the Town Hall in September. We used the words spoken by more than 300 children, accompanied by stunning projections of an imagined world.
Access and sustainability were key to the design of the project: 16 Guides were recruited to stimulate a dialogue with the audience, and 6 of them received an introduction to carbon literacy. More than 2000 pledges – all with an environmental focus - were made by the families that came; and schools workshops in advance had created a dialogue with children about the part they might play in safeguarding both nature and the green spaces across the borough.
Councillor Sue Smith, cabinet member for communities and co-operation, commented, “This has been a wonderful project to be involved in, with a powerful take home message for us all. The children of Rochdale have spoken and been very clear on the kind of future they want to see and it was very moving to hear the responses from visitors. I hope Wild Wanders has encouraged people to think positively about what they can do to make the world a better place for future generations.”
