Guided walks, talks, a poetry evening and gardeners’ question time are some of the free, community-focused events that local people can look forward to as part of BogFest in Edale next month.
BogFest – taking place Thursday 21st, Friday 22nd and Saturday 23rd September at venues throughout the Hope Valley village - is set to celebrate the iconic moorland of the Peak District and South Pennines.
Public events will provide visitors with the opportunity to find out more about the blanket bogs that form treasured local moorland. Blanket bogs provide a wealth of benefits to us, including supplying clean drinking water, a habitat for special wildlife to call home, and helping to reduce the risk of flooding in local at-risk communities.
BogFest is being jointly organised by the Moors for the Future Partnership and the IUCN UK Peatland Programme, encapsulating a conference programme for invited delegates alongside a range of engaging activities and sessions for all ages of the public.
Events that members of the public can look forward to include:
Thursday 21st September
- Poetry evening: Local poet, Katharine Towers will read and talk about her collections of poetry that commemorate her interest in the natural world, including birds and plants.
- Community Action in Natural Flood Risk Management: Join ecologist and filmmaker Andy Clark, and Robin Gray, Education and Research Officer from Slow the Flow Calderdale, for a showcase of feature documentary High Water Common Ground, and presentation.
Friday 22nd September
- A Harvest of Healing: Volunteer historian, Thelma Griffiths will delve into a cultural history of Sphagnum moss, the plant that formed the blanket bogs of the Peak District, as part of her talk at the Old Winery.
Saturday 23rd September
- BogFest yoga: Join Janice Wong as she performs the ancient practice of yoga in the idyllic surroundings of Edale at the Village Hall.
- BogFest Trot: A 6k fell race starting and finishing in Edale, with a route designed by the Dark Peak Fell Runners (including junior fell run).
- Boggy Doodles: Join Dr Ali Foxon for a walk on the beautiful Peak District moors with a difference! Boggy Doodles is a friendly introduction to green sketching for beginners.
- BMC guided walk: The British Mountaineering Council (BMC) is hosting this free (approx. nine mile) guided walk from Old Glossop to explore the Bleaklow moors.
- Peak District National Park guided walk: Join the Peak District National Park Authority’s rangers on this guided walk of the moors above Winscar Reservoir.
- Gardeners’ Question Time: Green fingered members of the public can submit questions to an expert panel and find out more about peat-free, earth-friendly gardening.
- Activities, stalls, entertainment and fun: Come along for some family fun with stalls and drop-in sessions hosted by the Moors for the Future Partnership and our partners including the RSPB, National Trust, Eastern Moors Partnership, Pollinating the Peak and Kidz Archaeology.
David Chapman, Chairman of the Moors for the Future Partnership and Deputy Chairman of the Peak District National Park Authority, said: “We are so pleased to be organising BogFest alongside the IUCN UK Peatland Programme, providing a chance for land managers, scientists and conservation practitioners to come together, celebrate and join the dots between the huge benefits that our iconic uplands provide.
“We want to share the benefits of blanket bogs with members of the public too, and for them to learn something new about these incredible places that surround us across the Peak District and South Pennines There really will be something for everyone at BogFest and we’re working very closely with our partners to make sure people are itching to come back next year for more!”
BogFest is financed by Moors for the Future Partnership's MoorLIFE2020 project, a five year programme that aims to protect remaining active blanket bog in the South Pennines Special Area of Conservation. The project is delivered by the Peak District National Park Authority as the lead and accountable body. On the ground delivery of the project is being undertaken largely by the Moors for the Future Partnership staff team with works also undertaken by the National Trust High Peak and Marsden Moor Estate, the RSPB Dove Stone team and Pennine Prospects (the Associated Beneficiaries).
MoorLIFE 2020 is funded by the EU LIFE programme and co-financed by Severn Trent Water, Yorkshire Water and United Utilities, with advice and regulation from Natural England and the Environment Agency, and local advice from landowners.
Full details of public events at BogFest including booking information.
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