Yorkshire residents are invited to experience a series of new, free community events and initiatives at Broughton Sanctuary in Skipton. It’s part of the Sanctuary’s broader mission to engage and excite people about their transformational nature recovery programme and wider wellbeing offering, while fostering a sense of togetherness.
Open to all, these free events are supported by grant funding from the White Rose Forest and will be hosted at Broughton Sanctuary, which is set across 3,000 acres in the Yorkshire Dales. There are also special activities to keep the kids entertained over the Easter holidays.
- 2nd March: Nature Photography Workshop with Rich Bunce
Reconnect with the natural world and reimagine your surroundings through the camera lens. Both novices and experts are invited to partake in this 20-spot photographic exploration during which Rich Bunce, a British Wildlife Photography Awards-winning photographer, will share his wealth of knowledge and extensive experience, offering practical tips for the entire group and personalised guidance for individuals. - 27th March: Willow Weaving Workshop with Joe Gregory for Adults and Families
Over the Easter holiday, renowned willow basketry and sculpture teacher, Joe Gregory leads a morning weaving session for adults (ages 16+) and an afternoon session for families (ages 5+) focused on the rich folk history of the cornucopia weave. Spend time with loved ones and create your own charming willow bird seed feeder, which also doubles as a garlic holder for the kitchen. - 6th July: A Nature Encounter with Mark Cocker
Mark Cocker, one of Britain’s foremost naturalists and widely acclaimed authors, returns to Broughton Sanctuary to guide a group of 20-30 outdoor enthusiasts on a free nature walk exploring the intricate interconnections sustaining life – from the symbiotic relationships between fungi and trees to the vibrant ecosystems of plants, insects, birds, and entire landscapes. Explore the Sanctuary’s newfound diversity and celebrate the discovery of its 1,000th species of flora and fauna, including a fascinating examination of a moth trap set the night before.
Future events include fungi foraging with a local mycologist as well as nature sessions with Broughton Sanctuary’s nature recovery consultant, Prof. Alastair Driver. For the latest news and updates, view the Broughton Sanctuary Journal.
These events have been funded by the White Rose Forest through their Trees for Climate programme, part of the Government’s Nature for Climate fund. In 2021 the White Rose Forest supported Broughton Sanctuary to become home to the largest tree planting scheme in England, the first stage of an ambitious 1030 hectare nature recovery project.