Bake Off and Gardeners’ World stars top the bill at free Leicester festival
Josh Smalley, left, and Nick Bailey.
Stars from Gardeners’ World and The Great British Bake Off top the bill of a family friendly festival taking place in Leicester.
BBC Gardeners’ World presenter, Nick Bailey, and Bake Off star, Josh Smalley, will deliver talks at the University of Leicester’s Botanic Garden Festival, which takes place on Sunday 31 August.
Nick’s talk will cover unusual and delicious edibles anyone can grow, while Josh will demonstrate culinary chemistry. The talks will last an hour and include a Q&A session.
Both Nick and Josh are colleagues at the University, with the latter being the Botanic Garden’s director, while 2023 Bake Off finalist Josh is a chemistry researcher and Science Communication and Engagement Champion.
The festival is free to attend, however attendees need to register online in advance to guarantee entry.
Tickets for Josh and Nick’s talks are priced at £10, which includes tea, coffee and cakes – purchase tickets online.
In addition to the talks, festival goers will be able to enjoy a host of free activities and entertainment.
Attractions will include arts and crafts workshops, a scavenger hunt, face painting, bouncy castle and outdoor games.
Live music will be provided by Union Avenue Duo, Wigston Brass Band, Contrast Steel Band and Rockstar Promotions DJs.
Free talks for children include learning the science behind pizza; how archaeologists use the human skeleton to learn about the past; number games; and how DNA works.
Free talks for adults include: the collision on neutron stars; how to make mathematics enjoyable for children; what medical literature says about Ramadan fasting for those with digestive conditions; scientific ocean drilling; the eco-activism of WH Hudson; and how University research is leading the way in transforming responses to hate, prejudice and injustice.
The free talks need to be booked in advance via the website.
A range of local food and drink vendors will also be at the festival.
Find out more on the Botanic Garden Festival website.