We’re very much looking forward to working with children, young people and their communities over the coming year. We have a jam-packed year of projects ahead, which includes delivering Out to Play, touring The Forgotten Orchard, planting a new community orchard and hosting an Apple Festival. And of course, we kick off the year with our exciting new rebrand! Read on to find out more.
Eco Drama Rebrand
Firstly, we are delighted to show off our lovely new branding and website, designed by Bold Studio. The branding has been under wraps for a while, gratefully supported by Brand for Growth and we’re over the moon with it. We hope you enjoy our new look as much as we do!
The Forgotten Orchard
We’re delighted to be re-touring The Forgotten Orchard – our characterful production bringing Scotland’s rich orchard heritage to life. Featuring storytelling, music and Scot’s ballads, the production celebrates diversity, home grown food and the joy of harvest. To book a performance for your school, theatre or community venue in autumn 2024, follow this link for more information.
‘A superb piece of storytelling’ The Scotsman
School Orchards
As part of our 2024-25 project, supported by the Glasgow Communities & Place Fund, Eco Drama can offer 20 schools in Glasgow fully funded performances of The Forgotten Orchard, plus 5 heritage apple trees to start a school orchard.
If you are a school in Glasgow with the enthusiasm and space to plant a small orchard in your school grounds, follow this link for more information. Places are filling up fast!
Out to Play Residencies
Eco Drama’s 5-week Out to Play residencies bring Learning for Sustainability to life through imaginative play and adventurous learning. Residencies in spring and autumn 2024 are available to book now for primary schools in the Greater Glasgow area.
“I have gained openness to taking children outside for outdoor learning which will stay with me for the rest of my career.” Teacher, Dalmarnock Primary School
Early Years Out to Play – Glasgow City Council Commission
The Early Years department at Glasgow City Council have supported Out to Play since 2021, commissioning the project for all 236 nurseries across Glasgow.
During 2024-25 we are delighted to be able to offer more creative CPD opportunities for Glasgow nurseries, including Early Years Out to Play Residencies, Out to Play in a Day and CPD Webinars. We’ll also be developing a new bank of digital resources supporting practitioners to develop an arts-based approach to outdoor learning. If you are an early years setting based in Glasgow, please get in touch with our Schools Project Manager for more information.
Pollok Grows Together & Townhead Apple Festival
A local food growing and green space enhancement project combining the arts with practical community led action in two different communities of Glasgow.
In Pollok, we’re excited to have secured permission from Glasgow City Council to use the large unused grassy area next to Pollok Community Centre. Throughout 2024, Eco Drama and our project partners will support the local community to plant and maintain their very own orchard. Read more about Pollok Grows Together here.
Townhead Community Orchard was planted in 2013, and over a decade on, it is thriving and very much in bloom. Eco Drama will be returning to work with the community of Townhead in 2024-25 to encourage people of all ages to celebrate their orchard and strengthen involvement. Read more about our plans here.
If you are interested in volunteering at the Pollok orchard planting event or Townhead Apple Festival, please get in touch.
Thanks for reading and see you outside!
Photos by Eoin Carey
