Halton Nature Watch: Halton EcoFest & Looking Ahead (Part 4)
As summer turned to autumn, Halton’s EcoFest returned for 2026—this time expanding right across the borough! The Halton Nature Watch team was thrilled to help kick off the festival at All Saints Church on September 5th before popping up at Victoria Park in Widnes for two further events on September 9th and 13th.
Saturday 5th September: EcoFest Launch at All Saints Church
We were delighted to be back at All Saints Church in Runcorn to launch the EcoFest programme. A big thank you once again to the team at All Saints for being such marvellous hosts!
Hazlehurst Studios & Halton Nature Watch
Our studio artists ran hands-on cyanotype workshops and cardboard bug-making, as well as showcasing Rachael Prime’s marvellous slug and giant flower sculptures.
Bug making, cyanotype creating & flower sculpture Photo credit: Lauren Quayle
Animal Teach and HBC’s Environmental Services were also on hand to represent the core Halton Nature Watch team.
Bugs, more bugs & dead bugs - from Animal Teach and HBC Environmental Services Team Photo credit: Lauren Quayle
Friends & Partners
Thanks to funding from the Culture 26 programme, we were able to add extra activities on the day that truly enhanced our Halton Nature Watch offer and allowed us to reach far more people. We were joined by Digital Arts Box, Plastic Shed, and NatureConnect NW, and visitors got to pose with the beautiful photo frame prop created by Xyleia.
There was so much creativity on show! Special thanks to Louise Nulty for the opportunity to expand our event and be such a big part of Halton EcoFest.
Impact: 60 people plus key stakeholders engaged throughout the launch.
EcoFest launch at All Saints Church with sculptures and partner activities Photo credit: Lauren Quayle
Wednesday 9th September: Victoria Park Butterfly House
Midweek, the team headed to Victoria Park in Widnes, setting up near the Butterfly House during one of its public opening days to connect with both home-educated young people and general park visitors.
Ecology & Zoology: Naomi (Animal Teach) and Siobhan (HBC Environmental Services) led interactive ecological and zoological activities.
Risograph 3D Woodlice: Studio artist Rachael Prime created bespoke woodlouse templates on our studio Risograph printer, guiding visitors in assembling their own 3D paper woodlice and cardboard shieldbugs.
Impact: Over 200 people engaged across the session, with Rachael helping visitors craft over 40 paper woodlice and shieldbugs!
Sunday 13th September: Victoria Park Bandstand
For our final EcoFest date, we returned to Victoria Park near the Bandstand for a day packed with art, music, and local environmental organisations celebrating nature.
Creative Workshops: Rachael Prime returned with paper woodlouse making, while friend of Hazlehurst Jane Rhodes led pebble painting throughout the day.
Snap & Social Photowalk: Thanks to funding from the Culture 26 programme, Hazlehurst Associate Artist Clare Williams was able to lead an extra 'Snap & Social' photowalk in the morning—enhancing our overall offer and giving visitors a guided way to explore the park's biodiversity—before joining in with the bug creations in the afternoon.
Impact: 80 children and families directly engaged with our activities, out of over 1,000 total attendees across the festival grounds.
Pebble Painting and Bug Making EcoFest activities at Victoria Park Photo credit: Lauren Quayle
Thoughts & Project Reflections
Trialing new approaches has been a vital part of Halton Nature Watch—balancing standalone sessions with popping up at large-scale community events like Halton Fest and EcoFest.
This outreach model wouldn't be possible without strong partnerships with organisations like Cultivate Halton and HBC’s Louise Nulty. When running an outreach project focused on a specific subject—in our case, invertebrates and local wildlife—heading directly into community spaces gives us the chance to connect with people who wouldn't normally engage, as well as those already passionate about nature.
What’s Still to Come?
Our public event tour across Halton has been incredible, but we aren't done yet! We have three Halton Nature Watch themed Snap & Socials coming up:
Bring your phone or camera for a gentle nature stroll led by Hazlehurst Studios and Siobhan (Halton Borough Council's Ecologist). All events are FREE, but booking is required as spaces are limited:
10th October 2026: The Bongs, Widnes (Autumn Walk) – Book Here
14th November 2026: Runcorn Hill Park (Heathland Exploration) - Booking Coming Soon
12th December 2026: Pickering Pastures, Widnes (Festive Stroll) - Booking Coming Soon
We’d Love Your Feedback!
As we plan future projects, we’d love to know what you’d like to see next from Hazlehurst Studios:
Would you like to see more hands-on creative activities at large-scale events like Halton Fest?
Do you prefer smaller, dedicated workshops?
Or a combination of everything?
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