Events | 31 May 10am-5pm Free art workshops with ‘Life on the Thames’ author & illustrator Emma Shoard PLUS it’s Cream Tea Sunday 2pm-5pm

We have a bumper last day of May this year!

Celebrate the wonder of the Thames and the wildlife that calls our nature reserve home with a fun, hands-on event for families and young nature lovers. We are delighted to welcome children’s author and illustrator Emma Shoard for a return visit. Get creative with art activities inspired by her beautiful book ‘Life on the Thames’, taking young readers on a journey down the river from its source to the sea, and featuring a stop at Goring.

Discover the hidden world of chalk hill butterflies, dragonflies and the busy aquatic insects living along this magical stretch. Find out about different species, spot some creatures around the reserve and then get creative! Try drawing and collage techniques alongside Emma to make your own butterfly or dragonfly, make a cosy home for a caddisfly or enjoy some relaxing colouring.

All materials and guidance will be provided. Suitable for ages 5+ (children must be accompanied by an adult).

Activities available between 10am – 5pm:

Create and decorate a butterfly or dragonfly (collage and drawing);

Make a little house for your caddisfly (collage).

It’s a Cream Tea Sunday too. We shall be serving scones and cream, cakes and refreshments from the Study Centre between 2pm – 5pm. Delicious!

Emma is a London-based illustrator and author living on board a 19th century Dutch Barge on the Thames. The river that inspired ‘Life on the Thames’ has been her home for most of the past ten years. She has sketched goslings paddling past her boat, written passages from camping spots beside the water and worked from a home studio rocked by passing boats and the Thames tide.

P.S. To protect wildlife and habitats, dogs (other than assistance dogs) are not allowed on the reserve. They are welcome at the study centre if kept under control and on a lead.