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Last year, a series of cultural projects brought creativity, curiosity and gentle adventure to streets, parks, and woodlands throughout Burton on Trent and Coalville – inviting people to imaginatively connect with nature and celebrate green spaces within our urban areas.
29 Apr 2026
In Burton, Earth Narratives presented poetry and texts written by women from the town and surrounding areas, developed through a programme of creative activity led by poet and producer Hafsah Aneela Bashir. Exploring themes of nature, womanhood, spirituality, and community, their bold and reflective words appeared on billboards across the town and as an exhibition at Burton Library.
Families and nature lovers enjoyed TREES – A Tale of the Rootkin, a brand-new puppetry and storytelling show that travelled to parks and green spaces across East Staffordshire as part of Brewhouse on Tour. Enchanting and full of woodland magic, the performance looked to the wisdom of trees for lessons in how we can take better care of the planet and each other.
In Coalville, artist Alistair Gentry presented a series of micro festivals inspired by the areas toy making past, it’s industrial heritage and the wooded landscape today. From upcycling dolls to chatting with clouds and discovering hidden trees, these gentle, collective adventures invited people to play, imagine, and explore the unexpected in familiar places.
Also in Coalville, Curbarium brought the vibrancy of wildflowers into sharp focus. Led by artists Trish Evans and Nick Humphreys of INSTAR and created with local young people, the project combined printmaking and street art to reveal the ecological significance and untold stories of urban plant life.
Through these projects we saw the important role that creativity can play in cultivating environmental connection, wellbeing, and community pride, providing unique opportunities for communities to experience the benefits of connecting with nature as part of their everyday lives.
Find out more about each of the projects and hear from many of the people involved in these exciting interventions through this short video produced by Indigo Productions.
Developed as part of the National Forest’s ongoing commitment to connecting people and place through creativity and nature, these projects were delivered in partnership with Coalville CAN, Enrych, Burton Women’s Collective, Brewhouse Arts Centre, Burton Library and Staffordshire County Council.
If you'd like to help us continue supporting arts and cultural projects in the National Forest, please consider making a donation.
