Totally Thames
@ Blue Ribbon Village, Potters Fields Park, near Tooley Street or City Hall, SE1 2AA
Nearest Underground: London Bridge
343 bus or RV1 bus or 381 bus or 47 bus (towards City Hall)
We are proud to have been part again of the whale-o-tastic Totally Thames. The Whale of a Time Workshop was held on 5th - 6th September at Potters Fields Park. We have run the Whale of a Time Workshop since 2010, which has been a great success ever since reaching out to the local community, connecting young and old with nature conservation. Our clay sculpting activity on endangered species is engaging the London community with today's most pressing environmental issues, whilst promoting proactive and inspiring ways to participate in environmental protection for future generations.
Thank you for joining in the fun clay modelling workshop and immersing yourself in creative style! We all were having a whale of a time!
Comments by organiser and participants:
“Just a quick note to say a big thank you to you and your team for all your hard work over the weekend. As ever your modelling workshop was hugely popular and everyone worked really hard. Thank you all so much!”, commented Helen Wilding, Production Coordinator, Thames Festival Trust, Totally Thames
“Excellent activity! Well organised! Very good resources. A tent of damp weather. Smiley volunteers. Entertaining for all ages. Thank you!”, commented a happy 59 year old
“Thanks, this is a wonderful workshop! We really enjoyed it. The imagination of my son is flying!”
“Have had a whale of a time!”, commented Katie, Crystal and Ava
“Best place ever!”, commented Avax
“We could help the environment by not cutting down trees or plants!”, commented Sophie Ford Renneberg
“Great activity and nice people. Thank you!”
“Fun times making clay animals!”
“Fantastic! Thank you so much!”
“I had a whale of a time!”, commented Marvey, age 7
Whale of a Time is delighted to have been part of the Barking Park End of Summer Party held on 28th August, which was run by the great and wonderful Park Rangers of Barking and Dagenham. We have previously run our successful clay modelling workshop at Eastbrookend Country Fair. Thank you for joining the Park Rangers and Whale of a Time for this fun filled free entry event to celebrate the end of the summer in style.
Comments by organiser and participants:
“A huge thank you to all whom attended the Barking End of Summer Party, the day was a huge success and it really wouldn’t have been a Ranger event without Irene and her fantastic Whale of a Time team. Thank you for always being so much fun, engaging with our attendees and spreading a conservation message through your workshops! I am sure we will be working together again soon”, commented Loretta Hoy, Park Ranger, Ranger Service, London Borough of Barking and Dagenham
“My daughter had a great time making a leopard. Thank you!”
“Sofia & Aydin had a whale of a time!!!”
“Dyan + Amy loved it! x”
“My son Jack had a great time making his dragonfly! x”
“Tommy, Archie, Brooke & Harrison had a great time. thank you so much!”
We are looking for motivated and inspiring young people who are interested in joining our deditacted team of Whale of a Time Volunteers. If you would like to join please read more about how you can get involved at Whale of a Time Volunteers. Please kindly send your letter of interest and cv to info@whaleofatime.org
Thanks to our wonderful dedicated team of Whale of a Time Volunteers powered by whale power and supporting the Whale of a Time Workshop, we reached out to over 25,000 people with our message to take care of our planet since 2007! Flukes up for Whale of a Time Volunteers! View the Whale of a Time Crew Gallery
"We cannot solve our problems with the same thinking we used when we created them." - Albert Einstein
Do you want to save these beautiful elephants, tigers, lions, giraffes, whales and dolphins and many more species and stop them from vanishing the next decades?
How can you make a difference?
Please sign this petition and let's get this issue raised in the parliament.
We would love to hear your feedback or let us know if you would like to get involved. Please feel free to send ideas and inspirations to info@whaleofatime.org
“Our task must be to widen our circle of compassion to embrace all living creatures and the whole of nature in its beauty.” — Albert Einstein
Photo: Elle Macpherson and children at Whale of a Time Workshop, Earl's Court Boat Show
Are you looking for an exciting activity for your events? Especially in times of social and environmental change people need to be able to re-connect with their Earth. Whale of a Time can support your event and entertain your audience in a fun and creative way whilst raising awareness of the most pressuring environmental issues of today and supporting community and planetary wellbeing. We organise clay modelling workshops for children and adults based on endangered species. The Whale of a Time Workshop might be just what you are looking for!
Whale of a Time is organising holistic and participatory events on environmental issues with the aim to encourage sustainable living inspired by a positive attitude.
We work largely with young people at public events, local community festivals, as well as youth clubs and schools promoting ecological awareness. Our work has been recognised by many national community and environmental awards schemes.
Whale of a Time events have been run successfully at WhaleFest in Brighton, Mayor's Thames Festival, National Living Seas Programme at the National Marine Week, Lambeth Country Show, London Green Fair, Earl's Court Boat Show and many local community events across London and the UK
The Whale of a Time Workshop is an educational, therapeutic, hands-on and fun activity, where young and old are able to model whales and other endangered species out of clay, and at the same time nurture creative skills, confidence and team bonding whilst raising awareness and learning about the environment, biodiversity and sustainability and having a whale of a time!
Richard Yeoward, former Vice President at WWF UK commented, "Conservation works best when the people are involved."
Andy (age 13) said, "It was the best event of the whole festival!"
Creative & Educational for Young & Old: For your family & kids area at your event. Whale of a Time Gallery
Each individual chooses an endangered animal or plant species. We work from wildlife photographs and participants create their personal art pieces, whilst exploring the natural world. The workshop methods are based on modeling techniques, where participants learn how to use clay-sculpting tools whilst discovering their artistic skills.
During the Whale of a Time® Workshop we facilitate a safe and inspiring environment for participants to explore and express their creativity. The artistic process is supported by creative workshop leaders, who have experience working with children and adults of all age groups. Workshop leaders hold a CRB.
Ian Rowlands, Co-Founder Planet Whale, WhaleFest commented, "A big part of what's made this event so cool is having Whale of a Time here. The kids have loved it. It's been a huge buzz all around the stand all day. The best thing we ever did was have these guys come here.”
Tiphaine Tailleux, Project Manager, Mayor's Thames Festival commented, "An absolutely brilliant way to spend an afternoon by the Thames, come rain or shine. Thank you Whale of a Time for inspiring children to take an interest in our fellow creatures whilst making beautiful clay sculptures at the same time. We loved having you at the Thames Festival for a fourth year running!"
Promote your “green credentials” & support ecological awareness!
If we see the true beauty in nature, we can appreciate what we have and have the will and passion to save it. During the Whale of a Time Workshop we discuss the most pressing environmental issues of today and we aim to find pro-active and positive solutions to live a sustainable lifestyle.
Mark Brownlow, BBC Producer, “Ocean Giants”, commented, "It's things like this, which will really inspire people to get aware of the plight of whales and dolphins and do something about it. It's a fun way of engaging people."
Andy Hope, Green Roadshow Organiser commented, "Once again it was wonderful to have you all along - your enthusiasm and commitment to educating the kids about marine life is refreshing and just what the planet needs."
Support community wellbeing
Community wellbeing is intrinsically interlinked with a healthy ecosystem. Clay-sculpting is therapeutic and participants have the opportunity to find their roots in nature.
Lucy Smith, Public Health Manager at NHS Lambeth, said: “As part of the Lambeth mental wellbeing programme and work to improve access to psychological therapies, we have funded these workshops with the aim of increasing awareness of ways in which people can actively improve their wellbeing."
Syed Haque, Community Leaders and Engagement Manager, Strategic Commissioning and Community Directorate, London Borough of Newham commented, "Whale of a Time clay modelling was by far one of the most popular intergenerational activities at the event."
Workshop Capacity: Up to 500 active participants per day
During community events and festivals participants have the opportunity to wander in and out and get creative whilst bonding with families and friends and the whole of the community. We offer custom-designed programmes for schools and we can facilitate the whole school in a full day. Maximum capacity at any one time is 60 participants.
Venetia Harpin, Events Officer, Lambeth Events Service, commented, "Whale of a Time once again to be a very popular workshop at this year's Lambeth Country Show. It was great that they were so organised, with plenty of helpers on hand. By the end of the afternoon we had tables and tables of wonderful animals!"
Public Events & Schools: Mobile, outdoors and indoors
The Whale of a Time Workshop is mobile and can be hired to complement educational projects at schools, as well as an attraction for families and kids areas at community events, exhibitions and festivals, outdoors and indoors
Jo Hill, Hawthorn School, Science Week Coordinator, "Thanks again for a fantastic day - I know all the kids had a great time."
Anna Godsiff, Streatham and Stockwell Festival Manager said, "Whale of a Time is number one on my list for children' activities."
Loretta Hoy, Beam Parklands Community Ranger, London Borough of Barking & Dagenham commented,
"Many thanks to your team! Absolute pleasure to have Whale of a Time there. As always the workshops proved extremely popular. The friendly, professional and approachable staff is an asset to Whale of a Time. The children who attended the event had a whale of a time, as did the fellow rangers and myself!"
Photo above: Vicky (Exhibition Coordinator), Sarah Brook, wife of James Brook (MD of the Sail, Power and Motor Show, right) and children having a whale of a time making models of seawaves, frogs, turtles and many more marine species at the Earl's Court Boatshow, "Sail, Power and Motor Show"
James Brooke, Show’s Managing Director at the Sail, Power & Motor Show, said, "Thank you so much! You've made the show!"
Sarah Brooke, wife of James Brook said, "My sons couldn't wait to get back to do the workshop. They love it! Not only do the children love this but I feel I’ve gone back to my artistic days. So much fun you have to be here next year.”
Ruth Claricoates, Barking & Dagenham Community Park Ranger, commented, "Whale of a time has been the most popular event out of all of them (Barking & Dagenham Community Park events) in the whole year.”
Bhupesh Thapa, West Area Parks Manager, Environment & Regeneration Department, Islington Council said, "We were so happy to have Whale of a Time at our event at Barnard Park. The kids loved the workshop, which was very professionall run. We look forward to having Whale of Time back in Islington and would highly recommend the workshop.
Participants' Comments
Robin Brooke, father of James Brooke, Earl's Court Boatshow, said “This has been a fun experience for all the family and has made the kids more aware of the importance of our wonderful sea creatures.”
Dom Mee, famous rower who crossed the Atlantic, said, “Very cool. Save the whales.”
Hedre (mother, 44) said, “What a wonderful idea to make the children - young and old - aware!”
Nicola said, "Thank you for organising such a fantastic event and I will be in touch after speaking to my head teacher regarding a workshop."
Nathalie (mother) and Isabelle (daughter) said, “Had a lovely, fun time making animals with clay with friendly, helpful staff. Good luck with all your work.”
We'd be delighted to organise the Whale of a Time Workshop at your events, and provide an area of entertainment with educational purpose, while adding a creative and environmentally conscious element to the ambience.
Whale of a Time is organising holistic and participatory events on environmental issues with the aim to encourage sustainable living inspired by a positive attitude.
Ian Rowlands, Co-Founder Planet Whale, WhaleFest commented, "A big part of what's made this event so cool is having Whale of a Time here. The kids have loved it. It's been a huge buzz all around the stand all day. The best thing we ever did was have these guys come here.”
Lucy Smith, Public Health Manager at NHS Lambeth, said: “As part of the Lambeth mental wellbeing programme and work to improve access to psychological therapies, we have funded these workshops with the aim of increasing awareness of ways in which people can actively improve their wellbeing."
Syed Haque, Community Leaders and Engagement Manager, Strategic Commissioning and Community Directorate, London Borough of Newham commented, "Whale of a Time clay modelling was by far one of the most popular intergenerational activities at the event."
Venetia Harpin, Events Officer, Lambeth Events Service, commented, "Whale of a Time once again to be a very popular workshop at this year's Lambeth Country Show. It was great that they were so organised, with plenty of helpers on hand. By the end of the afternoon we had tables and tables of wonderful animals!"
Jo Hill, Hawthorn School, Science Week Coordinator, "Thanks again for a fantastic day - I know all the kids had a great time."
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