Here’s a selection of some of the amazing natural, historic and built environment events that took place in July 2010 during the Discovering Places launch as part of the London 2012 Open Weekend.

 

DYSARTICULATE
University of Portsmouth
South West England

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Dysarticulate created a unique new temporary public artwork by encouraging participants to create and place thousands of recycled flags all over the country.

MINI BIOBLITZ
Bristol Natural History Consortium

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The first ever Mini BioBlitz.  Local scientists and naturalists were joined by local participants in a race against the clock to find 100 different species on Brandon Hill.  many species as possible living in central Bristol.

The first ever Mini Bio-Blitz.  Join local scientists and naturalist in a race against the clock to find 100 different species on Brandon Hill.   Wenlock the London 2012 mascot made a special appearance at the event.

WILDLIFE TRIATHLON
Tameside Countryside Service
Parkbridge Heritage Centre
North East of England

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Tameside’s Countryside rangers invited local participants to create their very own unique Olympic teams to take part in a Wildlife Triathlon.  Participants learnt how to conserve the mini-beast’s habitats whilst enjoying snail racing, worm charming and woodlouse hurdling competitions.

REDISCOVERING DUNVILLE FOUNTAIN
Ulster Architectural Heritage Society
Northern Ireland

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The spotlight shone on Dunville Park’s stunning terracotta fountain. A series of clay workshops led by ceramic artist, Eleanor Wheeler, took inspiration from the fountain and children’s clay panels were taken away to be fired and later displayed.

LANDANCE
Woodbury Castle & Common, Devon
South West England

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Landance are running a four year project (2009 – 2012) linking contemporary dance with the celebration of the Cultural Olympiad. Investigating our notions of borders within the landscape and nature, communities and society and between creative disciplines, exploring the boundaries which affect people’s lives and work.  Each year they will start a group in a local county, Somerset was set up in 2009, Devon in 2010, and Dorset in 2011.  Each group will come together every summer to create a performance in the landscape.  In 2012, all three county groups will come together to create a large scale performance in the South West Landscape.

DISCOVERING EAST GREENWICH
Greenwich Docks
South East England

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Rich Sylvester, local storyteller and guide, led a fascinating walk through East Greenwich and the Peninsula.  Participants explored local green spaces, created their own maps and shared local stories.

FAMILY FUN CYCLING TREASURE HUNT
Beccles Cycling Strategy, Suffolk
East of England

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A fun filled cycle treasure hunt was run by Beccles Cycling Strategy.  Families took to their bikes and set off on a challenge to work out clues relating to local information, characters and history which then led them to hidden treasures.

RAT TRAIL
Hollytrees Museum, Colchester
East of England

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Hollytrees Museum was over run with rats last July and needed help finding them all.  Participants were given a clue sheet with questions which led them around the museum to their hidden locations.  On completion, the sheets were handed in and entered into a draw to win some great prizes.

WELCOME TO BURY PARK
Bury Park
East of England

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This public, guided walk, led by former Luton resident, author, journalist and media personality, Safraz Mansoor enabled participants to find out about their local history, communities, localities and cultures in a fun and informative way.  Participants took photographs and wrote down their thoughts and poems which were later exhibited at the Hat Factory.