All are invited to come together in Durham this June for a free afternoon of music, food, nature, creativity and celebration.
Connected in Nature CIC will host its Summer Solstice Celebration and first birthday gathering at Broomside Park, Durham, on Saturday 20 June 2026, from 1pm to 6pm.
The free event will mark the beginning of the organisation’s new two-year programme, Seasonal Celebrations – For All Ages, and will bring people together to celebrate the height of summer in a welcoming outdoor setting.
The afternoon will include seasonal food and wild teas, nature crafts, traditional skills, folklore, foraging, storytelling, music and song. There will also be quiet spaces for people to rest, including breakout areas and a cosy summer house known as The Nest.
The celebration is open to people of all ages and backgrounds, with children under 16 required to attend with a responsible adult.
The event has been made possible thanks to £19,998 of funding from The National Lottery Community Fund, which will support Connected in Nature CIC to deliver a two-year programme of seasonal community gatherings in County Durham.
The project, Seasonal Celebrations – For All Ages, will include eight seasonal events each year over two years. Each gathering will be rooted in nature, creativity, folklore, traditional skills, food, music, storytelling and connection.
Activities across the programme will include nature crafts, bushcraft, archery, games, storytelling, music and shared meals made with locally grown produce.
The programme will take place in a natural setting that includes a permaculture garden, woodland, meadow and river habitats, giving participants access to a range of outdoor environments. Food and some craft materials will be sourced from the garden where possible, helping families explore seasonal living, sustainable growing and healthy eating on a budget.
Funding from The National Lottery Community Fund will help cover subsidised places, free community spaces, volunteer involvement, specialist facilitators, food and refreshments, craft materials, marketing, archery equipment and a low-impact outdoor shelter so activities can continue throughout the project, whatever the weather.
Victoria Clark, Director of Connected in Nature CIC, said:
“We are so excited to welcome people to our Summer Solstice Celebration and first birthday gathering. This event is about bringing the community together in a beautiful outdoor space to celebrate the season, share food, enjoy music, learn new skills and feel connected.
“We are absolutely delighted that The National Lottery Community Fund has recognised and supported our work in this way.
“Thanks to National Lottery players, we can begin a new two-year journey of seasonal gatherings rooted in nature, creativity, folklore, community and connection.
“We know that cost can be a barrier for many families and individuals, so this funding means we can offer free and affordable places, develop volunteering opportunities and create a programme that we hope will continue to grow beyond the initial two years.”
The project has been shaped by feedback from local families, individuals, community members and professionals. Previous participants described the gatherings as “a combination of history, folklore, forest school and reverence for nature and the changing seasons”, while children shared that the sessions helped them feel “happy and calm”.
Connected in Nature CIC hopes the programme will reduce isolation, support wellbeing, encourage environmental awareness and help people develop practical skills they can continue at home.
The organisation also hopes the project will establish a sustainable, community-backed model for seasonal outdoor gatherings, supported through affordable tickets, community places, volunteering and future partnerships.
This project was made possible thanks to National Lottery players.
To book your place, or to find out more, please visit, info@connectedinnature.com
