A TWO-DAY family fun festival promoting wellbeing returns to Teesdale this month.
Preparations for the Durham Festival of Wellbeing at the TCR Hub, Barnard Castle, are well underway, with workshops, live music, mindfulness sessions, and outdoor activities on offer on August 13 and 14.
The inaugural festival three years ago was a big hit and after two years of pandemic restrictions organisers say “there has never been a better time” for the event.
Sarah Gent, from The Hub, said: “The festival was successful last time and although we have had the Covid break we feel there has never been a time like this when people need to look after their well-being.
“We’ve put together a programme of activities that gives something for everyone to support their wellbeing.
“We are working with a huge list of partners offering creativity workshops, exercise sessions, live music, good food and nature sessions.”
Workshops to spark people’s creativity include crafting your own Monster book with award-winning author Chloe Daykin, family boxercise classes, natural dying, green wood working, batik with Suzanne Williams and mindfulness pottery.
“There are DJ and graffiti art workshops for 11 to 18-year-olds as young people are very much part of the festival,” added Ms Gent.
Live music sessions are also a key part of the festival and on Saturday, August 13, Indie folk group Unkle Bob are headlining, performing a special acoustic session.
She said: “We’ve also got some brilliant local support acts performing including Vic Bainbridge, Euphoria Choir, Ashes to Empire and Kirsty McLachlan.”
On Sunday, August 14, there will be more music with the all-female samba drummers, The Bangshees, playing with Whapweasel and taking to the stage between 5pm and 7pm for a ceilidh.
There will be a market with artists and crafters as well as food stalls. Throughout the weekend there will be circus skills sessions, a nature trail, sensory space and pond dipping and junk modelling.
Ms Gent said: “The festival offers our community the opportunity to nurture their wellbeing and have a lot of fun over the weekend.”
Tickets for the festival cost from £10 a day for adults and £5 a day for under 16s. To book and for more information visit www.tcrhub.co.uk.
