Bolton Gate Arts CIC launches family, nature-inspired, arts day to celebrate the start of their summer season 2026

The Garden Gate Saturday 2nd May, 10am – 9pm FREE arts and nature inspired activities, 10am – 4pm

Open mic event from 4pm

To celebrate the launch of another bustling summer arts season at Bolton Gate Arts, the company will be hosting a free to attend, family arts day called The Garden Gate on Saturday 2nd May, with a programme of events from 10am to 9pm.

The day will consist of a series of arts and nature inspired workshops including make-your-own garden crafts, planting, painting, well being walks, poetry and live music from local artists. The full schedule of workshop activities can be found here, The Garden Gate summer event.

The event aims to bring communities across Weston Coyney and the surrounding towns and villages together, encouraging participants to get outside, get messy and get creative, contributing to the company’s community garden during the bank holiday weekend.

Family friendly arts activities include recycled garden crafts such as bug hotel building, plant & paint, rock decorating and garden hangers. Creations from these activities can be taken home or used to contribute to the company’s own community garden in The Manège Outdoor Arts Space.

The project will also see the involvement of local group Caverswall Creative Hub, who will be writing a community poem through workshops on the day with local people that will be integrated into the garden.

There will be short well being walks, ‘Park Hall Exploration’, taking place at 10.30am and 1.30pm for those who love exploring nature at a leisurely pace. This is part of the wider Staffordshire Moorlands Walking Festival.

Finally, live music will be kicking off at 4pm with an open mic event celebrating talent from across the region known as Gigz@theGardenGate. If you are a musician interested in taking part, slots must be booked in advance by emailing arts@boltongatefarm.co.uk.

Participants can wind up the day with live entertainment until 8pm before enjoying the sunset in the peaceful tranquillity of the farm surroundings. Hot food and beverages will be available from Bolton Gate Cafe.

In addition to crafts, poetry, walking and music, the company are inviting participants to help transform the area known as The Manège Outdoor Arts Space. The area has been disused and run down for a number of years before the company set about transforming the space in 2025 by establishing a community gardening club and laying the foundations for a community garden with some unique arty features. The social group, who meet every Wednesday evening throughout the summer, is looking to expand it’s membership welcoming new members of all ages and abilities to come and get involved.

“People should come along to The Garden Gate to have fun, inspiration, learning and connection with other people,” says workshop lead Tatiana, who runs the Bolton Gate Gardening Club. “Being part of a community improves well being by developing a sense of belonging, reducing loneliness and this helps to improve mental health. When people feel that they belong and are valued, they feel more confident and resilient.”

For more information and to reserve your free ticket, please head to www.boltongatefarm.co.uk/showsandevents or if you’d like to know more, you can contact the company directly by emailing arts@boltongatefarm.co.uk

The event is made possible with the kind support of funding from Outside Arts Creative People and Places and the Community Foundation, North Staffordshire Environment Fund.

Audience / Community Comments:

• “A fantastic asset to the local community”
• “Really well organised and always so welcoming. It's a lovely set up...a proper little gem! We will be looking out for more events.”
• “[JARMAN] was an absolutely spell-binding performance... Our first time at Bolton Gate Arts & we’re certainly looking forward to visiting again. Such welcoming staff & a fab cafe too!”
• “Fab way to spend an afternoon”
• “Cool event, venue great, lovely to see people repurposing”
• “Go and see one (or all) the shows there, you won’t be disappointed”
• “[The Places That Make Us project] was a fantastic opportunity for the children, we would love to continue with work with Bolton Gate Arts and other local artists. It was great to see the children express themselves through art, whilst considering their local environment."