The Great Big Green Week is back in Bedford this June, with free events taking place from 7 – 14 June at Bedford Central Library, the Higgins Bedford, the Panacea Museum, the John Bunyan Museum and in Bedford Park.
Borrow anything for free from Share Bedford (on the second floor at Bedford Library) all week, try out your photography skills at a smartphone photography workshop and nature walk with artist Graham Fudger, give yoga a go in Bedford Park, enjoy craft sessions at the Panacea Museum, learn about swifts and swallows with the brilliant animator (from Peppa Pig and Hey Duggee), Will Rose and swap your unwanted craft supplies with like-minded makers.
This year, The 2 Minute Foundation will be bringing their roadshow to the town to coincide with World Ocean Day on Sunday, 8 June, and while Bedford couldn’t be more land-locked, it serves as a reminder that our oceans and seas begin with our inland waterways, such as the River Great Ouse.
Cory Walker, who coordinates the week locally as part of Friends Of The Earth Bedford said: “I want to see progress on tackling climate change because I care about the environment around me and in my local community and I think we need to do all we can to protect it.
“I am really proud to be doing my bit in the community by getting people involved with the Great Big Green Week and think that when we swap together for good we can create real change.”
More details of workshops and activities will be announced soon and you can find out more here and keep an eye on our what’s on guide for weekly details too.
What’s on and where…
At the Higgins, Castle Lane, MK41 8BW
Saturday, 14 June @ 11am – 4pm
Swifts or Swallows with Will Rose
11.30am, 1.30pm and 2.30pm
Each workshop lasts about an hour. Join animator Will Rose to learn more about identifying Swifts and Swallows – it’s birding for beginners with lots of animated fun along the way.
Curious Adventures in Nature
11am – Booking Essential (Places limited) / suitable for all, though Smartphone required
Join artist Graham Fudger to unlock your smartphone’s nature photography potential in this workshop. The workshop includes a walk through the Panacea Museum gardens to try out your nature photography skills. All participants must book. Children should be accompanied by a supervising adult.
Clay workshop with Paige Denham
11am – 4pm
Make beautiful clay mementoes inspired by nature with artist Paige Denham.
Make a Stick Doll
11am- 4pm
Join artist Helen Jones to make cute stick dolls from upcycled materials.
Natures Playground
2pm till 4pm
Suitable for younger families with children aged eight and below. Enjoy sensory crafts and play activities exploring the world of caterpillars and butterflies.
Bedfordshire Natural History Society
11am – 4pm
Meet and talk with representatives from Bedfordshire Natural History Society about the amazing creatures and plants that you can spot in Bedfordshire and how you can help to support biodiversity near you.
Plant Stall
From 11am
Volunteers from The Higgins will have plants for sale. Grab a bargain for your garden. All proceeds help to develop the gardens around The Higgins Bedford.
Country Days information stand
11am – 4pm
Find out more about Country Days – a nature reserve in Felmersham.
At the Panacea Museum, 11, Newnham Road, MK40 3NX
Great Big Green Week Stalls
Saturday, 7 June @ 11am – 3pm @ 11am – 3pm
Browse stalls from local organisations including charity plant stalls raising money for the Bedford Hospital Primrose Unit and Bedford Repair Cafe.
Great Big Green Week Art Session
Saturday, 7 June @ 11am – 3pm @ 11am – 3pm
Drop-in sessions to make Victorian-style greeting cards with local artist Anne-Marie Abbate, using pressed flowers from the Museum gardens.
Great Big Green Week Craft Swap
Saturday, 14 June @ 11.15am – 3pm
All ages Craft ‘Stash’ Swap run by Bedford Craft Swaps. Bring the craft supplies you don’t use any more, and take away the items you will. This is your chance to clear out any art and craft supplies you don’t want and swap for something you do. Come along for a good crafty rummage.
Great Big Green Week Sustainable Crafting
Saturday, 14 June @ 11.15am – 12.30pm
Sustainable crafting for young children, with local artist Kaye Mahoney. Organised and run by Bedford Craft Swaps.
At the John Bunyan Museum, Mill Street, MK40 3EU
Willow Weaving Landscapes
Saturday, 14 June @ 11am – 3pm (last admission 2.30pm)
Artist Anne-Marie will be running ‘Willow Weaving landscapes’; make your own pictures with natural materials’ and people can have fun decorating a flower pot and then planting a sunflower seed to take home to grow.
In Bedford Park
Yoga and Wellbeing in the Park
Sunday, 8 June Bedford Park (near Robinson Pool) @ 10am – 7pm
Now in its sixth year, this free event features two activity zones with a diverse schedule of sessions led by fully qualified instructors, including Hatha Yoga, Vinyasa Flow, Chair Yoga, Qigong, Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT), Laughter Yoga, Sound Bath Meditation, and mindful games for families. Wellness chair massages will also be available between 11am and 3pm.
