The Midsummer fun to mark Summer Solstice at Slades Farm

We had an incredible day celebrating the Summer Solstice at Slades Farm Park on Saturday, June 22nd, as part of our series of health and wellbeing-focused events held throughout the year.

In collaboration with Dorset-based artists, Anna Shiels and Sarah Lloyd from CoCreate, visitors worked with craft experts to create tissue paper flowers and fluttering hand puppet butterflies.

Later in the afternoon, makers and guests joined the free-to-attend Midsummer Procession, trailing their colourful creations through Talbot Woodlands, gathering beside the fire basket. Anna Shiels and Martin Coyne enchanted us with seasonal tales, accompanied by Colin Harrison’s celestial hand pan music. The event closed with everyone toasting marshmallows on the fire, under the watchful eye of our Fire Keeper, Layne Hamerston.

Solstice, marked around the world, comes from the Latin term ‘solstitium,’ describing the ‘standing still’ of the sun, and it marks the longest day of summer in the northern hemisphere.

Martha Searle, Community and Engagement Lead at Talbot Village Trust, said: “It’s wonderful to have marked Midsummer and the Summer Solstice with this event, reminding us of the passing seasons, and what’s happening in the natural world around us. Throughout the year, we’re focusing on the wellbeing benefits of spending time in natural spaces such at the Talbot woodland, even within this otherwise busy urban area. We’re keen to invite further opportunities to play, create and spend time together, in this incredible green breathing space in Wallisdown.

Thank you to everyone who joined in the festivities, and our wonderful artists, musician and storytellers!

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