Wandle Valley Festival promises fun all along its banks (From Your Local Guardian)

Wandle Valley Festival promises fun all along its banks

10:40am Sunday 31st May 2009 in

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The Wandle Valley Festival kicks off next week with a promise of two days of fun and educational events for children of all ages.

Activities, which are mostly free and take place in parks or along the river, include arts and crafts, heritage and nature discovery activities, archaeology digs, historical displays, talks and river clean-ups.

A spokeswoman for the festival, which takes place on Saturday, June 6 and Sunday, June 7, said the Wandle was “one of south London’s best kept secrets”.

She said: “The festival provides an opportunity to have fun finding out about the Wandle past and what it has to offer today during a weekend full of activities all along the river for all ages.”

On Saturday and Sunday in Sutton, there are wildlife activities at a wide variety of sites in the borough including orienteering and the wildlife walks around a nature reserve, a wetland area or park. Attendees can visit an open day with pond dipping and make their own working water wheel.

Alternatively, they can join a family ride which goes all the way along the Wandle and back or pretend they are on the time team, explore the art of dyeing using natural plants, or learn about the life of local orphans 110 years ago.

The Wandle was once one of the best trout rivers in England and by the 1800s was home to some 40 mills (some of which still exist and are open to visit) producing gunpowder, leather, snuff, and tobacco.

It was also the base for art production by William Morris and textiles by Liberty’s.

Today the Wandle Valley is a chain of green spaces where wildlife is returning in abundance.

For more information on the events visit wandlevalleyfestival.org.uk.

• Find out about more local green groups at greenguardian.co.uk