Two familiar faces from TV will lead the lineup at a family-friendly festival at the University of Leicester’s Botanic Garden later this month.
Nick Bailey, presenter on BBC Gardeners’ World, and Josh Smalley, finalist on The Great British Bake Off, will give talks as part of the Botanic Garden Festival on on Sunday, 31 August.
Nick will explore “unusual and delicious edibles” that anyone can grow at home, while Josh dives into the fascinating world of culinary chemistry. Each talk will run for an hour and include a live Q&A session.
Picture credit: University of Leicester
Both speakers are also part of the University of Leicester community—Nick is the Botanic Garden’s Director, and Josh is a chemistry researcher and the University’s Science Communication and Engagement Champion.
Entry to the festival is free, but online registration is required to guarantee entry.
Tickets to Nick and Josh’s talks cost £10, which includes tea, coffee, and cake. These can be purchased online.
A Packed Day of Activities
Beyond the headline talks, the festival will offer a wide range of free activities and entertainment for all ages:
- Arts and crafts workshops
- Scavenger hunt
- Face painting
- Bouncy castle and outdoor games
Live music will be performed by Union Avenue Duo, Wigston Brass Band, Contrast Steel Band, and Rockstar Promotions DJs.
Talks for Curious Minds
Free talks for children will explore topics such as:
- The science of pizza
- What human skeletons reveal about the past
- Fun with numbers
- How DNA works
Free adult talks will cover:
- Collisions of neutron stars
- Making maths fun for kids
- Fasting during Ramadan and digestive health
- Scientific ocean drilling
- Eco-activism of W.H. Hudson
- Groundbreaking University research on tackling hate and injustice
Please note: All free talks must be booked in advance via the festival website.
A variety of local food and drink vendors will also be on site throughout the day.
