Create something beautiful to shine a light on our precious rivers
Families and residents are invited to a number of arts workshops taking place in Dorset this summer, to create lanterns depicting much-loved river creatures, so a light can be shone on the plight of our beautiful rivers and rare chalk streams during two processional events later in the year: a colourful summer procession in Cerne Abbas; and a lantern lit evening parade in Powerstock.
Emerald Ant’s ‘Bubbles and Squeaks’, a National Lottery Heritage Funded project, seeks to engage local people through the creative arts and education, with additional support from Dorset Council, Dorset National Landscape, Dorchester Town Council and the Fine Family Foundation. Together they are working to connect local communities with the unique ecology and biodiversity of local rivers through creative arts, education and performance.
Local residents are being offered the chance to create a piece of artwork to be used in the processions at a series of family friendly lantern workshops. There will be 7 workshops in towns and villages throughout central and west Dorset, where participants can make either a ‘speckled trout’ or a ‘leaping salmon’ lantern. Booking for these workshops will be required. In addition, a special ‘drop-in’ session, no booking required, will be held on the forecourt of Bridport Arts Centre on Saturday 15 August 2026, 11am to 3pm.
Once the lanterns are complete Emerald Ant will act as their guardians until the processions in September and October when everyone who made a lantern will be invited to come and parade their own, unique creation as part of the processions, so everyone can see just how much the community cares about the perilous state of our rivers.
These friendly, fun workshops are suitable for ages 6 to 100, children must be accompanied by adults, so bring a packed lunch or picnic for a great family session. Further information including dates and venues can be found on the Emerald Ant website: https://emeraldant.com/bubbles-and-squeaks