Heart of the Forest Festival

Every year, for the last three years, thousands of people have visited the Heart of the Forest Festival in Measham. Mantle Arts have been involved since the very first festival and have been delighted with the response from the local community. The event is run by The Heart of The Forest Festival Committee, alongside a range of local partners. This year, it took place on Saturday 27th June and attracted 8,000 people. Mantle were involved in helping local children to create artistic features for the Parade, which travels through the village before arriving on the festival grounds at Measham Leisure Centre.

In the lead up to the event, Mantle worked with around 200 children from Measham C of E Primary School and St Charles's Catholic Primary School. They also held a drop in workshop at Measham Leisure Centre, which attracted 72 adults and children. Together with artists Paul Davies and Soesen Edan, these children and their families created eye-catching artistic features for the Street Parade, including a memorable giant swan. The Heart of The Forest organisers called the 2009 Parade the “biggest and best ever!”