Appetite, ArtsKeele and Imagineer are collaborating with a whole host of world-class experts to build a giant bamboo arch! Made from UK-grown borinda bamboo the arch will be built and raised over four days. If all goes to plan, on Saturday 18 March you can come along from 11am-2pm to have a swing from it! This impressive experiment will take place outdoors at Keele University campus during their Green Festival.
There will be two swings available on the day including one for wheelchair users. A circus aerial performer will also be giving us a show on the arch! Think you can build with bamboo? Have a go making your own models with bamboo build activities led by local artists ideal for everyone. Discover the versatility of this amazing material and see what you can create.
Bamboo Model Making
11am-2pm
Aerial performances
11am-11.15am & 1.20pm–1.35pm
Public Swing Sessions*
11.30-11.55pm, 12.20-12.45pm & 1.45-2pm
Accessible Wheelchair Platform Swing Sessions**
11.55am-12.20pm & 12.45-1.10pm
You can find out more about what’s going on on the Keele University campus during the Green Festival by checking out their website here.
The event is outdoors and wheelchair accessible. Audio Description and BSL interpretation will be available on Saturday 18 March. Come find us outside the KPA Clubhouse at 97 Horwood Hall, Keele, ST5 5DY.
Check out our Frequently Asked Questions where you can find details such as car parking, facilities and wheelchair access.
We also have an Easy Read document for this event should you prefer.
* All swing sessions are offered on a first come, first served basis.
** Electric wheelchairs will not be able to use the platform swing due to a manufacturer’s maximum weight limit of 100kg. There will be a lightweight manual wheelchair weighing 12kg available for people to transfer into if they are able and would like to use the swing but have a heavier chair.
Become a community Build Volunteer!
Are you interested in becoming a Community Build Volunteer preparing the bamboo or raising the arch? There are slots available to join us from Tuesday 14 to Friday 17 March. Register for your opportunity to be involved in bringing the structure to life on Eventbrite at ImagineBambooKeeleBuildVols.eventbrite.co.uk
Hear from the experts in our talk series
We’re excited to announce that there will be talks from the experts involved taking place on campus that you can book on to for free via Eventbrite:
- Why bamboo? Orit Azaz, Artistic Director of Imagine Bamboo – Wednesday 15 March, 12.30pm (40 mins)
- Can creative structural engineering help fight the climate crisis? Chris Matthews, Atelier One – Thursday 16 March, 2pm (40 mins)
- Introduction to Bamboo. Michael Brisbane, bamboo expert. Saturday 18 March, 12.30pm (40 mins)
The talks take place on campus in the Horwood Energy Centre, Keele, ST5 5DY. The venue is wheelchair accessible, and there are two disabled parking bays right outside. Find all of the access information for the Centre here. There will be BSL interpretation available for some of the talks.
Book your tickets in advance on Eventbrite by searching ‘Imagine Bamboo’ or going ImagineBambooKeeleTalks.eventbrite.co.uk
Want to know more about the Imagine Bamboo journey to Keele?
The Imagine Bamboo journey began back in 2019. If you’re interested in finding out more about the events and community projects that have previously taken place, go to www.imagine-bamboo.co.uk
Keep up to date!
Keep checking back as we update this page with for more information on other activities available on the day as part of the Green Festival. And follow our social media channels to keep up to date with the build as it happens from Tuesday 14 March!
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Image credits: Andrew Moore, Jenny Harper
