Get creative with one of the oldest photographic printing techniques!

Using organic materials sourced directly from the blanket bogs of Darwen Moor, you’ll work with natural finds like Sphagnum and Polytrichum mosses, cottongrasses, Purple Moor-grass, and even feathers to create a unique cyanotype print.

This workshop is closely connected to the ongoing restoration efforts led by Lancashire Wildlife Trust and Lancashire Peat Partnership, highlighting the vital ecological benefits of peatland restoration. By using locally sourced materials, it aims to raise awareness of regional conservation initiatives and the urgent need to protect and restore these precious habitats.

With support from Blackburn BID, participants can also chat with the team to learn more about the role blanket bogs play in carbon storage, water purification, flood reduction, and biodiversity.

The Wildlife Trust for Lancashire, Manchester and North Merseyside was founded in 1962 by individuals committed to taking action to protect nature. Since then, it has grown to become the largest nature conservation organisation in the region.

Uniquely positioned to lead change across the area, the Trust works at a grassroots, local level while also being part of a strong, cohesive movement.

Over the years, it has saved many special places, acquiring and managing numerous nature reserves. Today, the Trust cares for more than 1,288 hectares of protected habitats, providing havens for rare and threatened species.

The Lancashire Peat Partnership unites organisations dedicated to protecting and restoring the region’s precious peatlands. By combining the specialised local knowledge of numerous experts on both upland and lowland peatlands in Lancashire, the Partnership works to achieve the best possible outcomes for these vital habitats.

Its goals include promoting the importance of peatland restoration, collaborating to deliver restoration projects across large areas of the county, securing funding, and sharing knowledge, information, and research findings.

Blackburn Business Improvement District (BID) was first set up in 2013 and is currently in its second five-year term. Funded by a levy based on business rates, the BID delivers projects and services that benefit Blackburn town centre and its businesses. On 6 November 2023, Blackburn BID received an overwhelming ‘YES’ vote for another five-year term, signalling a further £1.5m of investment into the town centre from 1 January 2024.