From Monday 20th July to Sunday 2nd August 2015, come and take part in OuseFest, a whole fortnight of over 50 local events celebrating the Ouse Washes Landscape and Communities!
There’s plenty happening at a variety of venues right on our doorsteps, spanning from Downham Market to St Ives. It’s a perfect opportunity to learn more about the history of our fascinating Ouse Washes area, local wildlife and habitats and traditional Fenland life. OuseFest is sure to be lots of fun and a great way to reminisce about the old days, think about the Ouse Washes of the future and enjoy everything our beautiful local area has to offer.
Organised by the Ouse Washes Landscape Partnership, OuseFest is a celebration of everything that makes the Ouse Washes Landscape and surrounding Fenland area great! Have incredible wildlife encounters on a Wetland Safari at WWT Welney Wetland Centre; explore our local history on a Museums Trail; uncover ancient life on a Community Archaeology Dig; explore the landscape with the Ouse Washes Experience Roadshow; let off some steam at one of the Family Fun Days happening across the area. There is sure to be something for all ages!
Some key dates…an exciting OuseFest Fun Day Extravaganza will take place at Mepal Outdoor Centre on Saturday 25th July. Here you can take part in an adventurous RSPB Scavenger Hunt, get creative with a craft workshop, dissect a pellet with the Barn Owl Conservation Network or relax in the trees with some captivating story-telling by Michael Rouse. There will also be Trust Trail activities, music, face painting, a cinema room to unwind in and much more.
On Tuesday 28th July check out OuseFest at Denver Sluice hosted by the Environment Agency. It’s a huge festival celebrating the site that keeps the whole area from flooding. There’ll be boat trips, rowing taster sessions, the famous eel and fish tank to get up close to the intriguing creatures and a re-enactment of the Victorian Flat Earth Trials with Cambridge Archaeological Unit.
Throughout the festival there will also be lots of opportunities to learn about our fantastic cultural heritage with a variety of events including talks with local authors at Cambridgeshire Libraries and Topping Books, walking tours, history talks, an art installation by Littleport’s Field Theatre Group and the Isle of Ely Churches Trail.
Sara Marshall, Countryside Engagement & Marketing Officer at the Ouse Washes Landscape Partnership says “we’re so incredibly excited about the amazing OuseFest programme, there’s something for everyone to help connect with the local area, have some fun and meet new people in their communities”.
This only gives a taster of what’s happening during OuseFest! To find out more and to see the full programme, please visit ousefest, or follow us on Twitter (https://twitter.com/OuseFest) or Facebook (https://www. facebook.com/ousewashes). If you have any other questions or would like to volunteer at an OuseFest event, please contact Sara Marshall on sara. marshall@cambsacre.org.uk.