MCA unveils its programme for this year’s HuG

HuG, the Moorlands free Green Arts Festival, returns to the Foxlowe Arts Centre this summer on Saturday 24 June when Leek Town Crier, Bill Lomas, will declare the event open at 10.00am.

Organised by Moorlands Climate Action, this annual event helps raise funds to make the Foxlowe more energy efficient. The HuG festival’s name stems from the idea of ‘hugging’ the building with insulation and the Danish concept of hygge (cosiness).

MCA’s Lindsay Trevarthen says, “The special theme for this year’s event is the vital importance of bees and pollinators and we’re delighted that the amazing Pif-Paf Bee Cart, an exciting, accessible walkabout theatre piece for audiences of all ages, will be joining the festival, thanks to OUTSIDE, the new community arts programme created by, and for, the people of the Staffordshire Moorlands.

“We’ll have will be a wide range of stalls showcasing a variety of arts and crafts with an environmental approach and ethos, and a workshop making notebooks using recycled materials. Local groups such as Staffordshire Wildlife Trust, Swifts of Leek and Friends of the Earth will be there too.

“Celebrating Leek’s award of Bee Friendly Town status, Cllr Bill Cawley will unveil a new bilberry bee wood sculpture. Made by the Moorland’s own award-winning winning artist, sculptor and craftsman, Anthony Hammond, the beautiful public art piece will then be permanently sited in Birches Garden in Leek.

Outdoor events will include weaving and spinning, and wood whittling and bodging demonstrations. There will be activities for children and families, and musical entertainment all day. With poetry readings and a book stall, the spoken and written word will be represented too.

There will be something for everyone. We’ll be open all day until 4.00pm, so come along and get a wonderful green HuG.”