After our great success at previous years Whale of a Time has once again been a huge success among families, young and old with a record of best visited event ever! Thank you to all our motivated creative friends, who joined the fun and helped spread the message to take care of our environment. A big whale thank you to all who made this event so special!
”The Eastbrookend Country Fair for 2015 was a huge success this year with 6000 attendees. The children and parents whom attended has a fantastic time creating with the Whale of a Time team. It is such a fun and creative way to learn about some really important and key issues in conservation. Thank you as ever to Irene and her fantastic team. Our events just wouldn’t be the same without you there.” Loretta Hoy and Matt Wilson, Park Ranger, London Borough of Barking and Dagenham
“Thanks, the children really enjoyed it. We still have the ones they made last year!”
“Thank you for the entertainment - it’s awesome!!”
“We need to help to educate the next generation. Be an influence and encourage them to use different products other than those that contain palm oil.”
“You should stop buying palm oil because animals need trees. thank you!”
“Turtles are endangered! We need them to live.”
“Very fun as well as different. So much fun!!!” Georgia Dearing
“It’s a great idea! thank you, my son enjoyed it very much!” NNAD
“Thank you for providing the clay to make my creativity flow.” Alisia
“Thank you the clay modelling was really fun. I loved it!” Priyer Gang
“Thank you! Muddy, messy for kids! Really enjoyed it!”
“Lot’s of bees die because of the pesticides, pesticides should be stop sprayed were the bees live. Thank you!”
“My dolphin likes to play. I like my dolphin very much. She likes swimming. Love from my Makumbi”
“We enjoyed meeting our animals. It was very fun!” Mason and Ellie xx
“Had a very happy day. It is so important to be outside and appreciating nature.”
“The kids really enjoyed the activity. Good job!”
“I had lots of fun making a reed bird. It had a big tail. I spent 1 hour making it.” Miah Dearines
"We cannot solve our problems with the same thinking we used when we created them." - Albert Einstein
We are all part of one Earth Community, the web of life. We are part of this living organism, which we call planet Earth.
We would like to bring the following issue closer to your heart.
Please sign this petition and help to clean up plastic pollution in the Great Pacific Garbage Patch!
Michael Norton, Director, Centre for Innovation in Voluntary Action, commented, "This is a monument to our greed and wastefulness, and we should use our ingenuity to clean it up and recognise that we do not have to trash the planet."
It's so important and the whole world must see this catastrophic plastic pollution in the oceans, it's time for change! Let all governments of the world unite and create a plan for action.
1. Action of cleaning-up our mess:
It is the world's responsibility to leave nature as we received it for future generations to come. The current situation of the plastic ocean is seriously threatening marine life including the albatross as one very good example. Photographer Chris Jordan has documented this phenomenon, which can be viewed here
2. Preventing further damage in future:
Let's also stop using one way plastic packaging worldwide. There are great alternatives like corn plastic or using reusable shopping bags, paper etc.
The Great Pacific garbage patch, also described as the Pacific trash vortex, is a gyre of marine debris particles in the central North Pacific Ocean located roughly between 135°W to 155°W and 35°N and 42°N. The patch extends over an indeterminate area, with estimates ranging very widely depending on the degree of plastic concentration used to define the affected area, it has been estimated twice the size of Texas.
The patch is characterized by exceptionally high relative concentrations of pelagic plastics, chemical sludge and other debris that have been trapped by the currents of the North Pacific Gyre, which is consumed by marine organisms thus accumulating in the food chain with sickening to lethal effects on all life forms.
Please sign this petition and help to clean up plastic pollution in the Great Pacific Garbage Patch!
“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
Everything that you do has an effect on you. A healthy and well-balanced ecosystem is intrinsically interlinked with human wellfare. The Earth's oceans and rainforests are the extensions of our lungs. Planet Earth is not a resource but our source.
We need to connect deep inside with our hearts and treat our planet and all beings with love, respect and kindness. We believe that only if we feel, recognise and sense the true beauty of nature inside of us, we can truely appreciate what we have and have the will and passion to save it.
Let's move towards a new direction. Dare to stand together on one side with the Earth mother. Let's make a shift, a leap of consciousness on Earth, that will truely benefit all future generations, and not just short-term destructive business models. Consider the living treasure that we have in nature. The world woudn't be the same if whales, elephants, polar bears or albatross were gone extinct. Only if we act with compassion and live consciously, and think about the impact of our actions, we can bring harmony and balance in our lives and for the whole of our living Earth as nature intended.
Whale of a Time Volunteers - powered by whale-power!
Thanks to our wonderful dedicated team supporting the Whale of a Time Workshop, we reached out to over 25,600 people with our message to take care of our planet since 2007! Flukes up for Whale of a Time Volunteers!
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!
Photo: Elle Macpherson and children at Whale of a Time Workshop, Earl's Court Boat Show
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.
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.”
The Whale of a Time Workshop has been run successfully at Totally Thames 2014, The Lambeth Country Show 2014, Eastbrookend Country Fair 2014, Tree of Life (Austria), Spooktacular at Eastbrookend Country Park, Mayor's Thames Festival 2010 - 2012, Lambeth Country Show 2010 and 2012, Green Roadshow 2011 - 2012, WhaleFest in Brighton & Hove 2011, Furzedown Festival 2012, Redbridge Carnival 2011 - 2012, National Living Seas Programme during the National Marine Week, London Green Fair 2011, Gaunt's House Summer Gathering 2011, Green Man 2010, the Big Green Gathering 2007 and 2011, London Urban Green Fair 2010, Sail Power and Watersports Show 2008 and Earl's Court Boat Show 2007, where we provided the main attraction for a children and family zone. We have also experience working with special needs children - Lambeth X Roads - as well as schools and many other events. Download Whale of a Time Reviews
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.
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."
