Celebrate the Summer Solstice with the Bee Friendly Trust!

SATURDAY 21ST AND SUNDAY 22ND JUNE

We are excited to announce a new event for the summer, held at the atmospheric and inspiring Samphire Hoe countryside park (pictured).

Set across 30 hectares, this nature reserve will provide a stunning backdrop to two days of artist-led Summer Solstice activities.

A line-up of artists that includes Sarah Ainslie, Steve Chapman and Justine Rogers will lead workshops in photography, painting and poetry. Plus join USA-based performer Nicolàs Dumit Estévez on a pollinating pilgrimage around this unique site. Our own Dr Luke Dixon will be sharing his passion for bees. Collaborative artworks that respect and celebrate the environmental world will be created. Friendships formed.

SATURDAY 10 am to 5 pm

There will be performances to be discovered, artworks to find, stories to be told, music to be heard, artists to encounter at work, and creations to participate in.

Artists include: Niamh Jones ~ British Events ~ Steve Chapman ~ Jo Wood ~ Justine Rogers ~ Beth Baylis ~ Carina Graham ~ Samphire Steve ~ Sarah Ainslie ~ Mark Carberry ~ Bláth Ní Mhurchú ~ Isabelle Laight ~ Haru Apa Nyx ~ Nicolás Dumit Estévez Raful Espejo Ovalles Morel ~ and students from The Royal College of Art

Everything is free except for these special events for which tickets can be booked in advance HERE

10.00 BEE ON THE BEACH

An artist who uses the Hoe as inspiration for much of his work, Steve Walker invites volunteers to collaborate on the construction of a giant bee on the beach from found stones and pebbles.

11.00, 12.30 & 2.00 TELLING THE BEES

Internationally acclaimed and Dover based, British Events Theatre Company will create an interactive performance encouraging participants to talk to the bees of Samphire Hoe in a renewal of the ancient practice of Telling the Bees.

1.00 WAX AND HONEY

Join beekeepers Luke Dixon and Lesley Hipple to taste honeys from around the world and then make a candle to take home from natural beeswax.

2.30 WRITING WORKSHOP

Writers and poets Justine Rogers, Beth Bayliss & Carina Graham invite you to learn about or reinvent folklore legends and faerie tales to inspire new solstice rituals and celebrate the Hoe in a workshop on writing and orating.

4.00 STICK PAINTING

Legendary outsider artist stevexoh invites you to create your own unique artwork by painting on a stick. You can bring your own stick or use one of those provided. There will be paints and brushes.

SUNDAY 10.30

A Pollinating Pilgrimage around the Hoe, honouring the creatures that live in, on, under, above and below it, led by New York performance artist Nicolás Dumit Estévez.

Meet at The Tower.