Over the early Spring Bank Holiday weekend, Ellesmere is to host its first Arts Festival. Fizzgigs, a well-known community arts group, is putting together a spectacular display of flying wonders.
The massive installations will be on view within the woodland which borders the Mere. The path is easily accessible for buggies and wheelchairs.
Members of the group are busily putting the finishing touches to the structures, which range from an owl to a massive cormorant.
Ian Andrew, Chairman of the group, said, ‘In recent years we have installed two trails in the Plantation Wood, one of magical creatures and the second of fairies. Both were hugely popular, especially with families. We are confident people will enjoy finding all these birds, each of which is resident in the local area.’
Jen van Kooten, a group member, said ‘There will be handouts for families if they want to try to find the birds.’ These will be available from Moolah, Our Space and the Town Hall.
Fizzgigs is also running bird-making workshops for children in the Town Hall. Children will be helped to make small birds out of 2-litre plastic milk bottles. The drop-in workshops between 10 and 12 and 1 and 3pm on Saturday, the 2nd are free. Joan Mowl, who is organising the workshops, said, ‘Families love making lanterns with us for the Winter Festival each year. This is just something a little different.’
She added, ’During the afternoon these small birds will be flown down to the Mere where they will roost in the trees close to the other Fizzgigs’ installations. Families might like to visit the site from 3pm on Saturday to see the children’s birds in situ.’
The main part of Fizzgigs’ installation will be on view from Friday 1st May through to the end of Monday, 4th May with the addition of the children’s birds from about 3p.m. on the Saturday.
For further information, please contact Kate Westgate on 07968 224053
Peter Cartlidge at work on his swan installation.
Children’s birds.
