Manchester Histories Festival is springing into life over 5 days (Wednesday 8 June to Sunday 12 June) with an exciting line up of events that will explore the history of climate change in lots of creative and imaginative ways.
One of the emerging themes from the cultural organisations, communities and individuals that have contributed ideas to the programme is an exploration of the natural world; exhibitions, talks and events all serving to remind how precious the nature all around us is.
At Gallery Oldham 10 Years of British Wildlife Photography Awards (Saturday 11 June to Saturday 3 September) will create a visual spectacle of stunning wildlife images. Showcasing overall winners and others that have stood out over the last 10 years, the exhibition gives a unique insight into unusual and every day animals, birds and insects skillfully captured by photographers.
Taking an even closer look at nature, The Nature Table: Work by Sheila Tilmouth uses photography and microscopes to zoom in on the extraordinary miniature worlds that surround us. The results are astounding, curious and surprising. Taking place at Gallery Oldham the exhibition runs from Thursday 9 June to Saturday 10 September, and includes an artist’s talk on Saturday 11 June
From a microworld to an ecosystem, in the exhibition For those who are to come (at Manchester Central Library until Thursday 16 June) visitors are propelled to Amazonia and invited to share the view of the people of the forest on this changing region. Shown for the first time at COP26, this photography exhibition is intended to highlight the importance of keeping this ecosystem alive and finding solutions to minimise the impact of exploitation.
Changing landscapes are also the subject of a talk by PROJECTnfm researcher, Martin Evans, who will be bringing the conversation closer to home with a look at the Pennine Moorland degradation on Saturday 11 June at Manchester Central Library. How the Moors have been restored and the future of climate and restoration are all under the spotlight in Restoring the Pennine Peatlands.
Manchester’s green spaces are being celebrated by Seven Arches Publishing, which is focusing upon The History of Our Green Spaces in the Ten Boroughs of Greater Manchester. You can drop in and find out more about the project on Saturday 11 June (10am to 4pm), when they will be at Manchester Central Library.
Angel Meadow Park, Saturday 11 June
There is the opportunity to spend the whole day immersed in the beautiful green setting of Angel Meadow Park on Saturday 11 June. This once harsh urban landscape that witnessed the realities of the industrial revolution is now a successfully regenerated community park making it the perfect setting for the aspirations of Manchester Histories’ History of Climate Change Festival.
Music, cooking demonstrations, talks and entertainment combine in a laid back day that kicks off from 11am and goes on into the early evening, finishing at 8pm with DJ Ged. Pop in for an hour, or spend the whole day in the park, it’s up to you. Amongst the line up there will be spoken word and songs from Charlotte Peters-Rock, a cookery demonstration from the Vegetarian Society followed by a talk from CEO Richard McIIwain, who will reveal more about the charity’s origins in 1847 Manchester. All taking place on a stage area, there will also be music and storytelling from award-winning Harp and Monkey and Tales from the Congo Basin by Emmanuela Yogolelo.
Dotted around the park visitors will find community groups with ideas to discover, park games to play, workshops and food and drink stalls, including Marley’s Pizza, The Chaat Wala, Urbuns and The Sri Lankan Experience. You might also bump into Walk the Plank’s Climate Change Myth Buster and witness one of its interactive performances.
The full programme of events is available at ManchesterHistories.co.uk All the events taking place at Manchester Central Library can be booked in advance here and those taking place at Gallery Oldham booked here . Advance booking is not needed for Angel Meadow Park activities (11 June).
