The Planting Festival 2019

Overview

When you're making shapes to a live set at the Woodford Folk Festival you're probably not thinking about what comes next. No, we don't mean the reality that is your post-fest life. We're talking about the impact of so many friendly revellers upon the event's luscious natural setting.

Of course, the folks behind the annual event always have that on their mind. In fact, they've crafted a yearly pilgrimage to help redress the damage the festival does to the environment. It started as a tree-planting working bee back in 1997, and has evolved into something even bigger. Think talks, presentations and performances, as well as daily planting and weeding activities.

Between Friday, May 3 and Sunday, May 5, 2019's The Planting includes conversations about everything from activism and astrophysics to cold brews and food harvests— and yes, that's just the beginning of a lineup that features Archie Roach both singing and chatting. Learning more about weaving baskets, spotting spiders, making kimchi and cooking with beer are also on the very eclectic agenda, as are wildlife-focused bushwalks, a host of culinary cook-ups (gourmet jaffle making, anyone?), a craft beer appreciation class and more than a few meditation sessions.

Music-wise, Caravan Sun, Ash Bell and Sara Tindley, Manran and Totally Gourdgeous are among those on the bill, as is the unique domestic entertainment served up by The Ironing Maidens. And, by camping out and doing your part to give back to the place and space that hosts such a fantastic cultural event, you're not only making sure you can see in the new year there in the future, but that generations to come will be able to too.

Image: The Planting.