SPRING AT WAINSGATE
SATURDAY 28TH MARCH 12PM-5PM
A day of spring celebrations indoors and out — food, workshops, walking, making, music, movement, drawing, planting, a family disco, afternoon tea and more.
HOT FOOD - BEN FOGARTY'S DELICIOUS SANDWICHES + HOME-MADE CAKE & HOT & COLD DRINKS IN THE ASSEMBLY ROOM CAFE BAR ALL DAY
Ben’s hot sandwiches have become a huge hit at Wainsgate events, and he is working on something very special for our Spring event – more details to follow.
There will be meat and vegan options with the help of our friends at Everything Plantbase – more details to follow.
So come and sample these mouth-watering treats alongside a great selection of home-made cakes in the Assembly Room cafe bar – with hot and cold drinks, beers, wine and prosecco.
EVENTS AND ACTIVITIES
5AM - THE DAWN CHORUS
Come and join us for a very early start outside the chapel to listen to Wainsgate’s Dawn Chorus. We will gather before daybreak and sit and listen to the increasing cacophony of birdsong. An expert will be on hand to help identify what and who we are hearing.
On the 28th March, dawn starts at 05.12 hrs and concludes at 05.46 hrs – although we imagine the birdsong will continue.
This is a quiet listening event for 8+ years and very much weather dependent.
Whilst the event is free, booking is necessary so we can let you know should we need to take a rain check.
Hot drinks available CLICK HERE TO BOOK
12-2PM: WILLOW SWALLOW MAKING WORKSHOP with the Wainsgate gardening team
Come and create a willow swallow for Spring with the Wainsgate Gardening team.
All materials and guidance provided + tea/coffee.
£15
Click here to book
12-PM: SPRINGWATCH AT WAINSGATE - Noticing the Turn of the Year - A walk with Paul Knights
This guided walk begins and ends at Wainsgate Chapel and explores the surrounding fields, lanes and open moor at a moment of seasonal change, just after the spring equinox.
Over around three miles (approximately two hours), we’ll walk with attention — listening as much as looking — noticing birds returning to the fields and moor, early flowers along the lanes, shifting light, and the first clear signs of spring arriving after winter. There will be moments to pause, listen, and share observations together, with short periods of quiet built into the walk.
Suitable for adults and children aged 8+. Well-behaved dogs on leads are welcome. Please note that parts of the route include uneven ground on the moor.
Donations – suggested minimum £5
Click here for more details and to book
1-2.30PM: SPRING INTO SPRING! WORKSHOP – creative writing with Amanda Dalton
Whether you fancy trying your hand at something new or are a seasoned writer, this playful, friendly workshop for adults (16+) is for you. We’ll be using the ‘borrowed days’ of late March into April as rich starting points for creative writing
We’ll read some poems and prose extracts by fabulous writers, be inspired by some great art works, unearth a few seasonal rituals and, of course, we’ll write!
£12
Click here to book
2-3.30PM: PAPER BIRDS AND SPRING DRAWING - Family workshop
Join us for a family drawing workshop Inspired by Spring, bringing the dawn chorus alive through mark making & loads of colour.
Together we will make a giant collective drawing.
At Wainsgate we believe anyone can draw.
Children must be accompanied by a parent/carer.
With artists Charlie Ford and Lucy Suggate.
Click here to book
3-5PM: AFTERNOON TEA
Come and enjoy Afternoon Tea in the chapel at Wainsgate.
You’ll be treated to the full works – a delicious combination of savoury and sweet deliciousness served on china paltes and cups.
The lovely warm chapel will be filled with the sounds of Spring birds coming from individual speakers up above you.
From 3-5pm £20 per person or £25 with prosecco
Click here to book
3.45-5PM - THE BIG BOUNCE FAMILY DISCO
DJ Bunny will be playing the tunes for this big bouncing disco for all the family in the Sunday School at Wainsgate.
Come and bust some Springtime moves with us.
Entry to the Family Disco included when you book for the Paper Birds and Spring Drawing workshop.
THE DAY...
As spring begins to properly arrive up on the hill, we’re looking forward to welcoming you to Wainsgate for a very special afternoon of wandering, listening, making, eating, dancing and gathering.
The building will be open to explore, with the café and bar running throughout the day, good music playing, and a warm welcome across the chapel and its surrounding spaces. Drift between rooms, step outside into the landscape, sit and talk, or simply soak up the atmosphere.
Inside the (now warm and toasty) chapel you’ll find a subtle birdsong installation — individual spring birds calling from speakers high in the balcony — while projections of murmuring starlings and other small birds appear in unexpected corners around the building.
Alongside this, there are bookable events throughout the day including a guided Springwatch walk with Paul Knights, a writing workshop with Amanda Dalton, a beautiful afternoon tea in the chapel, family making workshops, and The Big Bounce Family Disco to close the day.
You’re welcome to simply come and enjoy the building — or book into one or more events and make a full afternoon of it.
All funds raised help us keep Wainsgate Chapel standing, open and thriving. Everything we do is volunteer-powered.
SCHEDULE
CLICK ON THE EVENT TITLE TO BOOK
05.00
The Dawn Chorus – FREE (booking necessary)
meet outside the front of the Chapel
MAIN PROGRAM STARTS AT 12.00 & CONTINUES TILL 17.00
12.00
The Wainsgate Cafe Bar – downstairs in the Assembly Room hot and cold food and drinks all day
SEWainsgate Stall with lots of items for sale open all day downstairs
Spring Watch Walk with Paul Knights – £5 or donation (booking necessary)
meet outside at the front of the Chapel
Willow Swallow Workshop – £15 (booking necessary)
– Upstairs in the Sunday School Room
13.00
Spring into Spring – £12 (booking necessary)
writing workshop with Amanda Dalton – in the Chapel
14.00 -15.30
Paper Birds and Spring drawing – £4 (booking necessary) Upstairs in the Sunday School Room