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A fun-filled day for all the family is returning to near Eastwood this summer, all in support of vital conservation work in the area.

Mead Fest, the annual one-day festival from The Woodland Trust, will take over the historic Young People’s Forest site, near Shipley Park, on Saturday, August 12.

It is an outdoor festival full of music, crafts and activities to celebrate what has been achieved over the last five years and the difference young volunteers are making for people, nature and the fight against climate change.

Elyse White, forest engagement and education assistant, said: “The emphasis of Mead Fest is on young people, because they are the next generation responsible for helping reduce climate change and that is more important now than ever. We want the local community to have fun, experience nature, and remember the event year after year.”

The festival will feature live music from local upcoming performers for a variety of music tastes

Sabaha Hussein, Mead Fest volunteer, said: “We want to engage with young people and get them to see how important it is to be involved in protecting our environment.”

Review of Eastwood and Kimberley parks will ensure they are ‘accessible to all’

Last year saw just under 500 people of all ages descend on Mead for the special event, and this year’s celebrations are going to be even bigger and even better, with 1,000 people expected to attend throughout the day.

There is entertainment between noon and 3pm. Children – and well-behaved adults – can get involved in activities including the Rusticus interactive theatre, bungee running, a falconry display, sponge throwing, a nature trail, welly wanging and crafts, delivered by members of the Young People’s Forest Youth Forum and Young Volunteers.

There is also the opportunity to get involved in some Viking-style activities, as they were one of the first inhabitants of the site.

This will be followed by live music from 3-9pm, featuring Luna J, Mikey Foulds, Kirby Frost, and talent from Derby College.

Older visitors can also make the most of yoga, a climbing wall, the chill-out zone and, for the first time, a bar serving alcohol to over-18s.

Day tickets are now available for £9 for adults and £5 for children, with family tickets costing just £22. Full details can be found on the Mead Fest website, meadfest.co.uk

Fun-filled one day festival near Shipley Park is returning this year