South Downs creatures go to town

South Downs creatures go to town

July 13, 2015

Adonis blue butterflies, rose chafer beetles, peregrine falcons, brown hares and wartbiter crickets were among the South Downs creatures ‘on the loose’ in Lewes on Friday 10 July as more than 400 children paraded through the town in costumes inspired by the National Park’s wildlife.

Across Lewes and surrounding villages, year 6 children had been hard at work for weeks making their costumes for the 2015 Carnival for the Creatures Moving On Parade. Michael Blencowe of Sussex Wildlife Trust visited every primary school to give an entertaining and informative talk about the animals, plants, birds and mini beasts of the South Downs.

In the spirit of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, golden envelopes were opened in each class with that school’s creature inside. The result was a spectacular parade celebrating all that’s wild in the fabulous natural world around us.

On Sunday 12 July the costumes and structures then went on display at the Post Parade Exhibition and Celebration.

The annual Moving On Parade is run by Patina, a registered charity that promotes the arts in Lewes and surrounding areas, to celebrate the children’s transition from primary to secondary school. Each year local artists work with schools across the area to run workshops in carnival arts and music. This year the event was supported by the South Downs National Park Authority’s Sustainable Communities Fund.