Summer events revealed for University of Leicester’s Oadby oasis

The University of Leicester today announces the launch of a summer events programme at the Botanic Garden, in Oadby.

The University’s College of Life Sciences, Attenborough Arts Centre and the Friends of the Botanic Garden have come together to collaborate on a series of events which will enable the public to enjoy a range of activities in the stunning surroundings of the gardens.

Highlights of the programme include Indian dancing presented by Sajan Odedra with music by Nitin Odedra from 1-5pm on Sunday 21 May. This will be followed by the Antiques Roadshow’s Lars Tharp giving a talk, organised by the Friends of the Botanic Garden, on Saturday 3 June entitled Gilding the Lily, about the depiction of plants in ceramics.

Meanwhile the Botanic Garden’s longstanding annual plant sale and family day returns on Sunday 2 July with specialist plant sales, free children’s and family activities, music, entertainment and refreshments as well as stalls and demonstrations about arts, crafts, ecology and wildlife.

Open-air theatre comes to the Botanic Garden on Thursday 13 July with a production of Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night by Duke’s Theatre Company, promoted by Attenborough Arts Centre. The centre will also produce a special Birdsong musical concert, with local artists Lucy Stevens and Rishii Chowdhury on tabla, responding sensitively to the sounds of seasonal birds. In addition, Leicester theatre company Enter Edem will present Ugly Bugs Wingding, a family puppet show, inspired by insect life.

Finally, in September, a huge range of hands-on activities and entertainment for all ages will feature in the University Vice Chancellor’s autumn party at the garden. Details for this free community event will be announced in due course.

Professor Tom Robinson, Chair of the University of Leicester’s Botanic Garden Board, said: “The Botanic Garden is a key focal point for the communities of Leicester, Oadby, Wigston and surrounding areas and we wanted to expand our summer programme this year to appeal to a wide cross section of audiences, some of whom may never have visited this urban oasis.

“From Shakespeare to Indian dancing, antiques to family friendly events, there’s something for everybody to enjoy at the Botanic Garden this summer.”

Anne Court, Chief Executive of Oadby & Wigston Borough Council, said: “We’re really pleased to be supporting the University, Attenborough Arts Centre and the Botanic Garden in bringing this high-quality programme of events to Oadby & Wigston.

“We have a real diversity of cultures and interests in our borough and these events offer something for everyone. We’re really excited about the summer ahead and I encourage local people to get out and support these events as much as possible.”

The University of Leicester is working in partnership with Oadby & Wigston Borough Council as part of the Civic University Agreement to promote the events across the Borough.

For more details of the programme, visit the Botanic Garden events page and the Attenborough Arts Centre website.