This week’s Wildlife Arts Festival, which starts this Friday evening and is on all day Saturday October 15, has organised a festival nature trail with a difference. It’s in the centre of Otley and is an intriguing and fun way to discover more about wildlife and nature - for all the family. There are ten nature clues and creatures to identify, each in a different shop and other windows around town. Prizes include a voucher from Toyland and a nest box.
The festival nature trail clues are displayed in the following places around the town: Like Nana Did, Original Factory Shop, Ivy House, Bookshop on the Square, Underground Bakery ,Otley Courthouse, Dodgsons, Courtyard Planters and Toyland. There are picture clues for younger children ( 7 and under) plus questions for older children ( 8 and over). To take part, collect an entry form at Saturday’s festival exhibition at Otley Courthouse or the Core office in Orchard Gate, where completed forms should be returned. Alternatively people can download one from www.wildlifefriendlyotley.org.uk/festival or use their own paper and add contact details.
There are several other free events for children in the festival: art and crafts in the Courthouse and story telling in Otley Library.
The Festival’s main opening event is the talk on Friday October 14th at 7.30 at Otley Courthouse by the best selling nature writer Simon Barnes. On the Saturday evening, October 15, also at the Courthouse, the festival welcomes back the award winning wildlife film make and cameraman, Ian McCarthy, with a brand new presentation Howling with Wolves.
The festival includes a free exhibition on the Saturday (10am-4pm) at Otley Courthouse of wildlife as shown in artworks, crafts, photography and talks. There will be a lunchtime music and poetry reflecting the nature themes at the nearby Horse& Farrier pub. Full information can be found at www.wildlifefriendlyotley.org.uk/festival and at www.otleycourthouse.org.uk
The festival also receives support from OtleyTown Council; Sinclairs of Otley, Leeds Inspired and Wharfedale Naturalists Society.
