Bowland Dark Skies Festival set to return this February
Enjoy a week of exciting events celebrating the beauty of the winter night skies above Bowland
Organisers will be hoping for fine weather this coming half-term as the Forest of Bowland’s seventh Dark Skies Festival approaches.
Starting on Monday 17th February and running through until Saturday 22nd, this year’s festival highlights the fantastic starscapes above Bowland, finds out about some of the area’s nocturnal inhabitants, discovers the international career of a local astronomer and offers a fun, family-friendly creative afternoon.
Event Highlights:
Discover the fascinating career of Preston-born astronomer, Frank Holden, on 17th February, with an online talk from Preston & District Astronomical Society. Frank’s astronomical journey began at the age of ten, and his career took him from Lancashire to the United States and South Africa before returning to the UK.
18th February offers a chance to visit Frank’s workplace of almost 20 years – the Jeremiah Horrocks Observatory, based in Moor Park in Preston. View the historic Cooke 8-inch refractor telescope, enjoy a talk on the night sky and – weather permitting – step outside for some winter stargazing.
Head to Downham for a fun, family-friendly session with artist, Keith Pilkington, on the afternoon of 19th February. Using pastels, chalks and paint, let Keith fire your creativity and go home with some fantastic night-sky inspired artwork.
Explore the after-dark world of Forestry England’s Gisburn Forest on the evening of Thursday 20th February. A number of all-terrain wheelchairs will be available for pre-booking, offering a great chance to experience this lovely location in an accessible way.
Learn about one of our most recognisable nocturnal creatures – the badger – on the morning of 21st February when Lancashire County Council ranger, Paul Shoreman, leads a guided walk in Ribchester.
The Wild By Nature Explorers session in Dunsop Bridge on Saturday 22nd has proved very popular and is already fully booked, but places can still be reserved on their waiting list.
Further information about all the Bowland Dark Skies Festival events, including booking details, can be found at: Festival Bowland Events | Forest of Bowland National Landscape
Sandra Silk, Forest of Bowland National Landscape Project Officer said: “We’re so lucky that the relatively low levels of light pollution in Bowland let us see our night skies in all their glory.
Whether you’re looking for astronomy, wildlife, family fun, or simply being inspired by the beauty of Bowland after dark, we hope you’ll find something to tempt you along during our night sky-themed week of events.”