Walking in the woods, you reach a clearing and see something. A butterfly. Big, colourful. People, all around, enjoying themselves.
This was the wondrous experience guests were having at The Butterfly House event, organised by the Sunninghill and Ascot Parish Council. From the morning to the afternoon, those able to book a free ticket were treated to a beautiful performance of The Butterfly House by HandMade Theatre. Further inspiring nature-orientated activities were available for fun participation. Over 200 people came to visit The Butterfly House, and all its fantastical residents.
The mischievous yet informative, puppet-filled show explained the butterfly lifecycle. Every puppet was primarily made from materials found in an open skip, making them eco-friendly, something the HandMade Theatre feel very strongly about. Lead by Amy Nicholson and Niamh Hine, it lasted around thirty minutes, with many moments of audience engagement and fabulous music. One audience member said, “I think the parish council put on a fabulous free event for families and small children.”
The show wasn’t the only attraction of the event. Also on hand was The Nature Doctor. With Teresa Verney-Brooks as the doctor, and Jess Kay as her nurse, the duo offered entertainment before, in-between and after shows. With their ‘A&E’ (Awe and Excitement), they helped to identify birds, insects, leaves and more.
If the audience members fancied some more creative action, there was a crafting station set up too. Guests were given the option to create their very own butterfly or owl, made from recycled materials. Then, whilst waiting for the glue to dry, the guests had the option to get some wonderful face painting from Gabriella Drewer, head of Gabi + Brush.
Overall, for me, the most significant part of the event was the sense of community. People smiling, appreciating our glorious outdoor space.
By Hector Bateman
