Event showcasing creative solutions to climate change gets huge boost

The event, named Wild Wanders, will be an outdoor environmental arts event for all ages, raising awareness of the climate crisis while developing solutions to protect the environment through learning and development activities.

Local school children, residents and artists are all invited to join the fun.

It will culminate in a spectacular three-night trail at Hollingworth Lake in October, a fun and exciting walk featuring live performances, magical sound and light installations showing visitors what it could be like to live in a world that is once again biodiverse, carbon-neutral, beautiful and sustainable.

Wild Wanders

Wild Wanders has been made possible thanks to funding of £71,000 from Arts Council England.

More details on the free event will be revealed later in the year, with Rochdale Borough Council working with multi-award-winning international outdoor arts organisation Walk the Plank alongside the Local Cultural Education Partnership (LCEP), Culture Co-Op, Rochdale Development Agency, Your Trust and Hopwood Hall College and University Centre.

Rochdale Council declare a climate emergency

The council declared a climate emergency in 2019 and committed to being a carbon-neutral borough by 2038.

During the development of Wild Wanders, Rochdale Council will stage workshops with schools, community groups, artists and other local people, connecting with nature and increasing engagement in the climate change agenda as well as generating eye catching attractions that will form part of the trail.

Pete Courtie, head of culture and placemaking at Rochdale Development Agency said: “This funding from Arts Council England will help bring a ground-breaking experience to the borough, something we’ve never seen anything like before, engaging local people during its development and attracting lots of visitors for something very bold and beautiful.

“It’s an opportunity to connect our young people and the borough’s residents with the climate agenda in really exciting ways. It will be inspiring, educational and a delight for audiences.”

Walk the Plank

Walk the Plank is a pioneering arts organisation based in Salford, UK, renowned for its innovative approach to creating art, festivals, and events that engage communities in public celebration.

The company’s portfolio spans a wide range of projects, from large-scale European Capital of Culture celebrations like Bodo24, Liverpool08, and Turku2011, to immersive installations such as BODY, which has toured science festivals across the UK, North America, and Ireland. Walk the Plank is also known for its breathtaking parades and spectacular fire gardens, consistently earning acclaim and showcasing exceptional talent.

In recognition of its achievements, Walk the Plank has received numerous awards, including the prestigious ‘Best Use of Tech in Events’ award in 2023 for Green Space Dark Skies. The company’s commitment to environmental sustainability has also been acknowledged through accolades such as the National Outdoor Event Award for Sustainability in 2022 and a Creative Green Award (4*) for its contributions to Manchester Day.

Liz Pugh, executive producer with Walk the Plank added:  “We know our planet is warming up too quickly and threatened by human activities, so educating children about the future in positive ways and making sure they have a say is so important – insects and mosses are as important to the health of the world as the biggest animals.

“We’re excited to be working on such a magical project in Rochdale where I’m pleased to see the pioneering spirit and culture of co-operation is alive and well. Wild Wanders will be ambitious and we’ve a lot to do over the coming months but it will be so worth it.”

Karen Lea, assistant principal at Hopwood Hall College and University Centre said: “We are honoured to be supporting the council’s exciting plans for this outdoor environmental arts event that will inspire people of all ages and leave a lasting legacy. We proudly take part in initiatives designed to protect our environment, raise awareness of climate issues and lead to a more sustainable world. It’s our goal to empower students with the knowledge and skills needed to become bold change-makers, now and in the future.”

More information about Wild Wanders including dates when released can be found here