- Suitable for ages 11+. Children under 16 must be accompanied by an adult.
- This workshop is free
- There are 12 places available each session.
- The workshops will last approx 1 hour
Join the Lancashire Wildlife Trust in a needle felting and stitching at the National Festival of Making.
Connect to nature and recreate parts of the local moor and peatlands with slow stitching – using needle felting and simple hand embroidery.
The local Darwen Moor is currently undergoing an extensive peatlands restoration project and Lancashire Wildlife Trust is keen to help us to explore our peatlands habitat and appreciate its beauty and the crucial role it plays in the environment. Their community growing hub at the Greenhouse Project in Witton Country Park, Blackburn has been growing Sphagnum moss, which forms the basis of all peatlands, and you will be able to see and touch some examples of the moss they are cultivating to be replanted on Darwen Moor.
This workshop is also inspired by the ‘Table for the Nation’ currently on display at Blackburn Cathedral, located nearby to the workshop. This unique 13.2m long Black oak table was created from the 5,000 year old trunk of an oak tree, which was uncovered in a peat bog in Norfolk in 2012. The table itself is a feat of human design and making skills and the peatlands’ ability to preserve wood for 5,000 years shows the incredible power of nature.
Using needle felting and simple hand embroidery and tactile materials you will be guided to create the bog habitats and hummocks of moss you can see on the peatlands of Darwen Moor.
This relaxed workshop is perfect for beginners and you will be supported to develop new skills while learning more about the plants that grow on our peatlands and the special role that the peatlands play in flood management, carbon capture and nurturing native wildlife.
The workshop is taking place in the Temple Gallery of Blackburn Cathedral. There is level access into and around the Cathedral and there is a lift available to all floors. The Temple Gallery can be accessed via the cafe entrance and then taking the lift, or via the main nave.
Please arrive at the venue 5 minutes before the workshop. Unfortunately your place may be allocated to a participant on the waiting list in the event of late arrival.
Advanced booking required.
About The Greenhouse Project
The Greenhouse Project is run by The Lancashire Wildlife Trust as part of its pioneering Nature & Wellbeing Service. The Greenhouse Project seeks to support people to develop skills in growing food – fruit, vegetables and wildlife friendly plants – and live more in harmony with the natural world. As well as growing food they use / recycle local waste and natural products, produce compost, their own fertiliser and hope soon to capture their own water and generate their own electricity.
About Sue from Lancashire Wildlife Trust
Sue is a trained and experienced horticulturist and teacher who has led nature-inspired community textiles projects in Salford and Blackburn and currently runs Nature and Wellbeing sessions for Lancashire Wildlife Trust at the Greenhouse Project in Witton Country Park, Blackburn. She is also growing peatland plants as well as wildflowers and edible plants with volunteer groups.