Families are invited to explore, create and help imagine the future of one of Bath’s green spaces when Forest of Imagination returns to Entry Hill on 25 and 26 September.
The free two-day River of Dreams event will transform the former golf course into what organisers describe as a ‘living design laboratory’, with creative workshops, installations, performances, food and opportunities for local people to share their ideas for the site.
At the heart of the weekend is a vision for Entry Hill to become a permanent Arts, Nature and Community Park, bringing creativity, ecology and community together.
Free creative workshops for families
Saturday 26 September will feature a full day of 15 creative workshops led by Forest of Imagination’s Creative Learning Team.
Activities will include Oliver Wallace’s ‘Earth Field Station’, Morgane Shabane and Holly Le Var’s ‘Bring the Water Back: Wild Play’, Kilter Theatre’s ‘Meeting with More-than-Human Minds’ and Andrew Amondson’s ‘Collective Dreaming’.
Across the weekend, activities will flow through Entry Hill’s central meadow, encouraging visitors to explore the landscape, make things, move, plant, eat, talk and share ideas.
Bath & North East Somerset Council will also host an ‘imagination station’, where residents can contribute thoughts about the future of Entry Hill.
Forest Feast on Friday evening
Friday’s programme includes activities with a school-in-residence and a creative workshop for home-educated children from the WatersMeet Creativity, Health and Wellbeing group.
At 5pm, Bath Spa University Press and Hawkwood Centre for Future Thinking will launch Future Flow: Imagine the Possibilities. This will be followed at 6pm by the River of Dreams Forest Feast, created by Bath Community Kitchen.
The pay-what-you-can community meal aims to bring around 200 people together at Entry Hill, with visitors welcome to contribute anything from £0 to £20.
At 7pm, artists Briony Hartley and Madeleine Bell will present Nocturne, an atmospheric evening experience.
Dr Penny Hay, Professor of Imagination at Bath Spa University and co-founder of Forest of Imagination, said: “River of Dreams is an invitation to imagine together in nature. Through creative making, conversation and shared experiences, the whole community is invited to explore new possibilities for Entry Hill.”
Forest of Imagination has been using Entry Hill as a setting for art, nature, learning and community activities, with Bath Spa University describing it as a place where art, ecology and community can come together.
River of Dreams takes place at Entry Hill, Bath, on Friday 25 and Saturday 26 September. The event is free and open to everyone.
