Norwich Science Festival 2021 brochure is launched

Tickets go on sale from Wednesday 8^thSeptember

Norwich Science Festival is back with a bang this year, with eight incredible and inspiring days of activities, talks and events to celebrate science in our region, taking place over October half term.

The global pandemic meant that the festival was delivered online in 2020, but this autumn Norwich Science Festival returns as an in-person event in and around The Forum, Norwich and at venues around the county, including the awe-inspiring new James Dyson Building at Gresham’s school. Founded in 2016 as a celebration of all things science, the festival offers visitors the chance to explore the wonders of the universe, meet the scientists whose research has changed our world and debate some big questions with some big-thinkers.

The return of this much-loved scientific celebration was marked with the launch of the festival brochure, with a photoshoot in the beautiful setting of Pensthorpe Natural Park. The event was attended by one of the festival’s newest patrons, Dr Jess French, and some of the amazing supporters who have made this year’s event possible, including headline sponsor Pensthorpe, Gresham’s School, East Coast Academy, Breakwater IT, Briar Chemicals and Howes Percival, as well as festival partners the UEA. Other organisations sponsoring the festival this year include Vattenfall and Roarr! Dinosaur Adventure Park.

Natalie Bailey, Norwich Science Festival Event Producer, said:

“We are absolutely delighted that Norwich Science Festival will return as a full-scale festival this October. We are also delivering a hybrid programme of online content in conjunction with our live event, in response to the engagement and enthusiasm we had during last year’s virtual festival.  We have an absolutely fantastic programme for this year’s festival, which promises something for everyone, and we are thrilled to be launching the brochure today.  We are monitoring the latest government guidelines and will continue to adapt the festival to meet current advice.

We would also like to express our sincere thanks to the amazing companies and organisations who have backed Norwich Science Festival this year and made it possible for us to deliver this fantastic event for Norfolk. We are delighted to be working with headline sponsor, Pensthorpe Natural Park, and all of our wonderful sponsors, some of whom are long-time supporters and others who are sponsoring us for the first time.”

Now in its fifth year, Norwich Science Festival returns from 23 to 30 October 2021 and offers a range of inspirational exhibitions, sensational shows and an abundance of hands-on science activities for all ages and all levels of knowledge. This year will also see the introduction of a new Satellite Science Festival, which will take place in the inspirational new James Dyson Building at Greshams School in Holt. In addition, ahead of COP26 in Glasgow, the festival will also be shining the spotlight on climate change with a series of talks and activities exploring climate change, what scientists are doing to tackle the problem and the action we can take – all sponsored by Vattenfall UK. 

Martin Dupée, General Manager, Pensthorpe Natural Park, said:

“We are delighted to announce our partnership with Norwich Science Festival as their 2021 headline sponsor. There has always been an intrinsic connection between nature and science from both physical and psychological personal well-being through to cognitive benefits where exposure to nature has been linked to a whole host of benefits. We can't wait to be able to bring nature to the city of Norwich working alongside some great partners and speakers to support us in delivering an educational experience for all generations.”

The Norwich Science Festival programme includes plenty of the usual favourites as well as some exciting new venues and activities. Headlining this year is Rutherford & Fry’s Complete Guide To Absolutely Everything *Abridged, taking place on 30 October at 7.30pm. We all rely on our gut feelings but intuition is a terrible guide. If we believed what our minds tell us, we’d all think the world is flat (it’s not even round), the sun orbits the Earth (nope), and that a day is made of twenty-four hours (close but also no). Live on stage for the first time, Drs Hannah Fry and Adam Rutherford will show you that reality is not what it seems, common sense is neither common nor sensible, and our minds have evolved to lie to us all the time. They will take you on thrilling journey through time and space, from the beginnings of life on Earth to wondrous aliens elsewhere in the galaxies, from the darkest depths of infinity - via a hypnotised snail - to the brightest recesses of our minds.

In addition, here’s just a taste of what else is on offer this year:

·        Hear some of the UK’s influential young voices fighting for climate action and conservation as they discuss the challenges, fears and motivations in the existential fight for the future in our Climate Action: The Time is Nowpanel discussion, followed by a Q&A.

·        Discover the bounteous and bootiful wildlife that lives right here on our doorsteps with Dr Jess French and Theo Blossom as they go on a journey to uncover All Norfolk Creatures Great and Small.

·        Join The Guardian’s Patrick Barkham as he explores our connection with nature, along with Michael McCarthy (environment correspondent and author), Lucy Jones (Author) and Tim Hill (Natural England). With book signing.

·        Gain an insight into the mind of a forensic scientist with Prof Angela Gallop, who has been at the forefront of forensics for over 45 years. In this talk, Prof Gallop will take you behind the police tape and into the heart of the crime scene, from being bemused by mediums to helping identify the man who stabbed George Harrison.

·        Listen to comedian Robin Ince reveal why scientific wonder isn’t just for the professionals. After abandoning science at school, bored by a fog of dull lessons and intimidated by the barrage of equations, he now presents one of the world’s most popular science podcasts and meets hundreds of the world’s greatest thinkers.

Booking for these and many other exciting shows, talks, panel discussions and activities will be launched at 10am on Wednesday 8^th September.

For further information, updates and tickets for Norwich Science Festival, please visit www.norwichsciencefestival.co.uk.

-Ends-

For further information please contact Natalie Bailey, Norwich Science Festival Event Producer via [email protected]/ 07775 897822 or Anna Stevenson, PR Consultant for The Forum Trust  [email protected]/ 07767 443717

Notes to editors

About The Forum:

·        The Forum, in the centre of Norwich, is one of the UK’s most successful Millennium projects.

·        It’s a public building, open seven days a week, all year round (except Christmas Day and Boxing Day).

·        Everyone is welcome. Most of the public events, exhibitions and activities which take place at The Forum are free.

·        The Forum Trust is the independent, self-financing, charitable organisation which manages The Forum building.

·        It is responsible for The Forum’s continued development, growth and innovation.

·        The Trust works with many partners to ensure The Forum plays a valuable role in the community.

·        Details about the charitable ‘project purpose’ which under-pins The Forum are available on the website at www.theforumnorwich.co.uk

About Norwich Science Festival:

·        Norwich Science Festival is a celebration of all things science and offers visitors the chance to explore the wonders of the universe, meet the scientists whose research has changed our world and debate some big questions with some big-thinkers. 

·        It takes place in October half term, from 23 to 30 October 2021.

·        Norwich Science Festival is co-ordinated and promoted by The Forum Trust, supported organisations such as Norwich Research Park and the UEA, along with a huge team of volunteers.

·        Norwich Science Festival is sponsored by headline sponsor Pensthorpe Natural Park, along with Vattenfall, Gresham’s School, Roarr! Dinosaur Adventure Park, Breakwater IT, East Coast Academy and Howes Percival.

·        For more information about the festival visit www.norwichsciencefestival.co.uk

About Pensthorpe:

·        Pensthorpe Natural Park is a 700-acre family-friendly nature reserve located 11 miles inland from the North Norfolk coast.

·        Interactive trails, seven bird hides and several charming boardwalks weave through the wilderness of the reserve and present an opportunity to get closer to the native and visiting wildlife – over 1200 different species have been recorded.

·        Part of Pensthorpe’s beauty is its ability to appeal to all ages and interests; it’s a hidden gem for garden lovers, boasting five gardens designed by some of the world’s garden design heavyweights. It’s captivating for families and children curious to learn about the natural world, providing them with the perfect backdrop to paddle through streams, go bird and butterfly spotting, and enjoy hours in the wildlife-inspired eco play areas, often hailed as some of the best in Norfolk. And it’s so serene that nature gravitates to it like a magnet, offering visitors unrivalled bird and wildlife watching opportunities.

·        Pensthorpe Natural Park is on the A1067, one mile from Fakenham and just over 20 miles from the city of Norwich.

·        Entry prices: Adults £12.95, Seniors £11.95, Children £11.95, Under 3’s free. Annual Members are free. Parking is free. All tickets must be pre-booked in advance.

·        Online booking: All tickets – including timed entry slots – must be booked in advance. See the website for full details.

·        For more information about opening times for the reserve, shop and cafe please visit: www.pensthorpe.com COVID-19: Some COVID precautions remain. For up-to-date information about your day out to us please visit: www.pensthorpe.com/whats-on/plan-your-day/before-you-visit/