 Digital photography workshops, rickshaw rides and boat trips are amongst the free activities taking place around the River Tone, in Taunton, October 6 to 20.
Somerset Wildlife Trust is teaming up with public artists Sue Palmer and Simon Lee Dicker to host the activities as part of the Routes to the River Tone project, which aims to recreate and reconnect wildlife habitats across the town.
Free photography workshops
Photographs taken at the ‘Getting Closer to Nature’ free digital photography workshop will be shown on the big screen outside The Brewhouse Theatre later in October. The workshops will be run by professional Devon based photographer Dave Green at Longrun Meadow on October 6, 10.30am - 1pm and 2pm - 4.30pm. All ages are welcome to learn more about the technical aspects of digital photography, such as quality and file size, and to pick up tips on composition and the use of macro-photography. People can also just turn up on the day for activities with cameraphones.
Miriam Woolnough, Somerset Wildlife Trust’s Taunton Living Landscape Development Officer, said: “We are working with local people to develop ways to improve wildlife habitats around the town’s rivers and water courses.
“The events are an opportunity to explore some of the town’s watery spaces and for us to find out what residents think about these places. We’re also keen to find out what kinds of activities people would like to see happen in the future.”
Free apple juice
On October 13, free apple juice pressed from apples in Children’s Wood will be given away as part of Transition Taunton’s annual apple pressing event outside The Brewhouse from 10.30am - 3pm. To tempt people to explore the town’s green spaces and see where the apples come from there is a free bicycle rickshaw running to Children’s Wood and Firepool Lock where an open participation drawing workshop with Joff Winterhart, and a bee-talk will be taking place.
More events are planned for the Hamilton Park and Blackbrook for Saturday, October 20.
Routes to the River Tone has been given initial support from the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) including a development grant of £33,900 and is being delivered in collaboration with the Taunton Deane Borough Council, Environment Agency, Natural England, Canal and Rivers Trust and the Taunton Deane Area Group. Along with wildlife survey data gathered over the summer, the information and ideas gathered at the events, will inform a programme of proposed habitat improvements and creation for 2013-2016.
The Routes to the River Tone project is part of Taunton Living Landscape which aims to recreate and reconnect wildlife habitats, as part of Somerset Wildlife Trust’s countywide landscape approach to nature conservation.
For info and bookings for the photography workshop contact simon@simonleedicker.co.uk or phone/text 07967 756320
(children under 16 must be accompanied by an adult.)
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