“Planet Action Street Arts Giant Insects bring a “wow factor” to any activity. Bringing the excitement and fascination with insects to brand new audiences”. Dr Gordon Port Entomologist Chair of the Natural History Society of Northumbria

 

“Planet Action Street Arts’ giant insects are incredible, a brilliant way to engage children with nature”. Professor David Goulson, author of Silent Earth, averting the insect apocalypse

 

The Urban Oasis brings a uniquely creative approach to changing the public's connection with insects and the critical role they play in the environment. The little creatures that run the planet, with music, stilts and dancing: enormous bees, ants, wasps and butterflies create a spectacle that could have jumped out of a story book.

But their message is certainly no fiction: behind the glorious artistry of their costumes and theatre, Urban Oasis showcase the importance of insects in ecosystems, as pollinators, predators, and recyclers. Every street needs a visit from this, exquisite street theatre with a serious edge.Professor Seirian Sumner, Author of Endless Forms the hidden lives of wasps

 

“Community Foundation North East are really pleased to have supported Planet Action Street Arts through the John Bell Fund. Sustaining the environment is a priority impact area for us and we need forward thinking, passionate and innovative organisations like Planet Action Street Arts to drive that mission at a grassroots level”.

Jo Cundall, Senior Advisor, Culture, Community Foundation North East

 

 

 

I passed the City Library last week and you have totally transformed the outdoor space into a beautiful wildlife garden – it looked glorious and full of lovely blooms and plants. 😊

 Alison Flanagan Wood Council Arts Development officer Newcastle upon Tyne

 

 

 When I first met with the local ABC24 team, I found it moving and inspiring, as did all the local residents. I am now a PASA charity board member. Although I have a very busy calendar, I prioritise activities to promote this project.

ABAC24 is a project not only for today but also for the next generations. They are working with schools, where I joined them one day, and the way the project was executed in the school was so commendable. Children were given great information about why biodiversity is important and then they helped us work together to save our planet, by planting for pollinators in the park.

I have observed that all generations ranging from young people to elderly people are volunteering in this project.

I believe that for the last few years, climate crises have been in the spotlight as they should be. However, at the same time, if we work on the climate crises but not the biodiversity crises, it means mass extinction will not happen only for wildlife but eventually for humans too. This project is local and global and promotes crucial biodiversity for human future survival as a species.

Nabeela Ali. local Councillor for the Monument ward, where the ABC24 project is based.

 

Hi Paul! Just Emily here from the garden. Just some feedback on the big bug day. Me and the three kids absolutely loved the whole day and it was our favourite family event we have been to in the park. It is already something very close to our hearts and interests as we’ve benefitted from the beautiful green space and shared interest in nature in Wingrove since my eldest was born in 2018. We always feel so lucky to have this space to come to and such knowledgeable neighbours!!

The event itself had lovely variety, I enjoyed all the pollinator info, the artwork and the plant sale and I could include the kids in choosing what plants we wanted and explain to them about pollinators and the environment from your information panels. My eldest absolutely loved planting her flowers and plants and how everyone was involved in supporting the children to do this and educate them about the plants and how to do this.
My daughters really enjoyed the spectacular butterfly face painting! I was really touched at the idea of payment being to do something nice for another person. (I’ve on average paid between 7 - 10 pounds recently on face-painting at family events and it’s honestly unaffordable and so hard to say no to the kids!) This was a lovely example to set to the kids, and mine said their kind deed was planting food for the bees!

The giant dancing bugs were of course a huge hit and they were so responsive to everyone present regardless of age, confidence of ability they engaged in the way in which every person and child needed which I found very lovely. For example dancing in crazy fast circles with the bigger kids but approaching my younger ones gently and slowly allowing them to touch the ‘bees knees’ and ensuring inclusivity with community members present who were wheelchair users. The bugs were just super stars and so funny!

Our plants we bought from the garden are absolutely thriving in our garden now, one of them has a lady bird taking resident under her leaves I will try and catch her for a photo for you! It’s lovely to have memories of the day when we water them and know they contributed to the garden and groups work in donation. I honestly couldn’t fault the day and we will be there with literal bells on next time!

Emily Gale with her children at the Art and Biodiversity festival at the  Bike Garden Nunsmoor