With one week to go, the Shakespeare Birthplace Trust, the charity responsible for preserving the Shakespeare family homes in Warwickshire, has revealed further details about its free Sustainable Shakespeare Community Day, which kicks off Great Big Green Week in Stratford-upon-Avon.
On Saturday 7 June, Shakespeare’s New Place, the site of the playwright’s final home, is once again opening its doors to the public for a free day of fun as it hosts the launch of Stratford-upon-Avon’s Great Big Green Week.
The day is part of the Trust’s Sustainable Shakespeare initiative, and wider Big Green Month celebrations, featuring a diverse series of events and activities that shine a spotlight on the natural environment and the impressive biodiversity found across the Shakespeare family homes.
''With a week to go, we are excited to be revealing more details about our Sustainable Shakespeare Community Day, launching the town’s Great Big Green Week celebrations.
''Like many individuals and organisations, our commitment is to reach net zero by 2030, and we’ve put this into action across our estate. This includes adopting environmentally friendly methods to maintain our green spaces, such as rewilding parts of Anne Hathaway's Cottage to encourage biodiversity and increase wildlife in the gardens and surrounding areas.
‘’Alongside this, it’s important for us to use our platform to inspire others. This event is an excellent space where we can all come together and share ideas and advice on how to embrace a lifestyle that helps to make a positive impact on our planet.’’
Said Andrew Anderson, who leads on sustainability at the Shakespeare Birthplace Trust.
Activities Taking Place During the Day
During the free event, guests of all ages can walk through the picturesque surroundings of the Great Garden at Shakespeare’s New Place for free and celebrate the action being undertaken by local groups and charities to tackle climate change and protect the natural environment.
Whilst exploring and chatting to others in attendance, guests can expect a diverse lineup of thought-provoking and engaging activities brought to them by partner organisations. Confirmed stallholders include Heart of England Forest, the River Hope project, Rubbish Friends, Net Zero Stratford, Act on Energy and many more, making it a day to remember for all.
‘’The theme for this year’s Great Big Green Week is “Let’s Swap Together for Good”. The Sustainable Shakespeare Community Day is a great way to launch the festival and showcase ideas for simple swaps to make our lives better and greener. It should also inspire stronger action for climate and nature.’’
Commented Janet Palmer of Net Zero Stratford and Great Big Green Week organiser.
New for this year and inspired by The HERDS public art and climate action initiative, throughout the day, visitors will have the opportunity to get hands-on creating endangered animal puppets from recycled materials. Led by artist and puppeteer Pippa Church from Flawed Mandrake Theatre, during the drop-in workshop visitors will have the opportunity to bring the owl, often symbolic of Lady Macbeth, to life as well as moths and bats.
‘’With thanks to funding from The HERDs, we are thrilled to be hosting this hands-on activity that invites people to think about their connection to the natural world and climate change in a creative way.
‘’As part of our multi-year project, The Women Who Made Shakespeare, this activity has been inspired by some of Shakespeare’s female characters, bringing the owl, which often symbolises Lady Macbeth, to life, as well as our own sustainability and biodiversity projects at Anne Hathaway’s Cottage.
‘’This is set to be an inspiring and memorable day. We hope to see as many people as possible joining us and the community in celebrating all things green."
Added Frances Hall, audience engagement manager at the Trust.
For those wanting to hear more about sustainability at the Trust, its gardens team will be on hand to share what they are doing to improve biodiversity across all of Shakespeare’s family homes and to offer helpful tips and advice on how to create thriving green spaces at home.
That’s not all - whilst soaking up the atmosphere, visitors can sit back and enjoy live acoustic music from local band Boe-Jigge and explore the New Place gardens and its new exhibition, Infinite Variety, Shakespeare's female characters in objects and words, for free.
Before leaving, guests can visit the Trust’s retail stall to browse a selection of sustainable products crafted from local resources. Whilst browsing, they are invited to talk to the Trust’s retail team to discover the stories behind the products and their makers.
