Night time nature trail set for Hollingworth Lake coming next week

Hundreds of families will descend on Littleborough next week for Wild Wanders, a new night-time nature trail at Hollingworth Lake Country Park, raising awareness of the fragility of the environment while encouraging us to think about what we can do to build a more biodiverse and sustainable future.

‘Wild Wanders’ is an outdoor environmental arts event for all ages, culminating in the spectacular trail open from Thursday 24 to Sunday 27 October.

Each evening, visitors will be taking an illuminated walk featuring some of the creatures that live in the woods, alongside dramatic sound, lights and projections.

Outdoor arts specialists Walk the Plank have been working with local school children, community groups and artists, connecting them with nature and increasing engagement on the climate emergency as well as creating larger-than-life lanterns that form part of the trail.

The event is already sold out, with over 2,800 free tickets snapped up within hours of being released last month.

Those without tickets are being asked not to attend, as no walk ups will be available. To reduce congestion visitors are also being asked to consider car sharing or use public transport where possible.

Lilly, the 8.5 metre-tall baby girl who forms part of the Wild Wanders trail became an even bigger national talking point when she made an appearance at Rochdale Town Hall recently to meet local primary school children. She’ll be returning to reveal what they think about the future of the environment, their hopes for protecting animals, nature and the world they want to live in.

The young people’s ideas, poems and songs have been woven into a special sound poem for the event.

Councillor Sue Smith, cabinet member for communities and co-operation at Rochdale Borough Council said: “The response we have had for Wild Wanders has been fantastic and all tickets were taken even before Lilly made her surprise visit.

"For everyone lucky enough to get a ticket, I’m sure you will enjoy the experience. I also hope Wild Wanders will encourage visitors to think positively about what they can do to make the world a better place for future generations and that we can continue to keep the climate conversation going.”

Liz Pugh, executive producer at Walk the Plank added: “Rochdale's children are wise, articulate and hopeful. They have told us what they want and what they want adults to stop doing - more kindness, less litter, less air pollution and no more wars are top of their agenda.

"Simple requests that we seem unable to address. As one of the children said, even though we are small, we still have mighty in us, please listen to our voices. Another said they wanted a world where nobody is perfect and everybody can be unique in their own way."

Wild Wanders is created by Rochdale Borough Council working with multi-award winning international outdoor arts specialists 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. It is funded by Arts Council England and the Garfield Weston Foundation.

Alongside this event, the council are consulting anyone who lives, works or plays in the borough about climate action. They want to know what matters to you, what you want to see more of, and what you need to take climate action. Complete the short survey and get more information at: rochdale.gov.uk/ClimateChange