RESIDENTS of Radstock and Midsomer Norton are invited to take part in this year’s Festival of Nature, with events celebrating the vital role of water in supporting wildlife and the environment.

The festival, running from June 7 to 15, celebrates the theme of water with art displays, walks, workshops and family activities highlighting local rivers, including a floating installation above SouthGate inspired by the River Avon and the Bath River Line.

Midsomer Norton residents can join a Family River Walk and Music Workshop at the town park on Saturday, June 14, from 12.30pm to 3pm and Radstock residents can take part in a River Foraging Walk exploring Snails Brook in Waterside Valley, with conservation educator and naturalist, Steve England on June 11.

The canopy will encourage visitors to reflect on the city’s waterways and will feature willow fish made by pupils from St Martin’s Garden Primary School, St Michael’s Junior Church School and Roundhill Primary school during a workshop facilitated by artist, Julie Starks, as part of the Literacy Trust, Young Readers Programme.

An accompanying nature trail featuring footprint illustrations, created by local artist Marian Hill, will offer a closer look at the river’s wildlife and a giving box will highlight the route of the Bath River Line and facilitate donations to Bristol Avon Rivers Trust (BART) and Avon Wildlife Trust.

SouthGate Bath Family Day on Saturday, June 7, kicks things off with a host of free family-friendly, water themed nature activities, crafts, performances, stalls and art displays.

Throughout the festival, the Roper Gallery at Bath Artist’s Studios will feature an exhibition celebrating the power of creativity to shape community and care for our rivers. ‘One Drop, Infinite Ripples’ invites visitors to help create a large-scale community artwork and there will also be family-friendly workshops.

The Bath River Line is also celebrated at the Life on Water outdoor photography exhibition at Roseberry Road Studios, Bath and Kelson’s Field in Bath. Curated by Bath Spa University students, it offers an insight into why the waterways are so important to the city and how we can care for them.

An outdoor screening of the 2021 film, River, at Bath Quays on Sunday, June 8 will be followed by a Q&A session to find out more about local rivers and how we can look after them and an event combining bat detecting and a quiz with a special river-themed round at the Locksbrook Inn will help raise funds for BART.

Nature’s Remedy: the benefits & barriers of green social prescribing, will feature an expert panel discussing the benefits & challenges of social prescribing and what it means for healthcare in Bath and North East Somerset. It takes place at the Mission Theatre on Tuesday, June 10. Booking is required.

Most events are free or on a pay what you can basis. The full Festival of Nature programme can be found online and information about the River Line project can be found on the council’s website.