Walking with Wildlife 2026

As part of Alwoodley 2030's ‘Walking with Wildlife’ event, we were proud to partner with local residents for a day of creative activity along Alwoodley’s ‘Nature Corridors’. This initiative provides communities with the tools and knowledge to support the plants and animals we share our city with.

Alongside the University of Leeds, Alwoodley Climate Action Hub, and Room 17 at Allerton CE Primary School, we also worked closely with Denise, whose garden is a shining example of how all of us can create safe spaces for nature to thrive. Our creative activity took place across Allerton CE Primary, Denise’s garden, and Lingfield Community Hub.

The event was a great reminder of art’s ability to help us connect with nature, and learn how to protect our city’s wild residents.

2026 to 2027

Denise’s Garden

Local artist and nature enthusiast, Denise, welcomed us into her beautiful garden, where Classical Indian dancers and long-term BSDC collaborators, Dev and Kali, performed choreography inspired by the movements of animals. Accompanied by Ani on tabla, Denise’s garden hummed with life as the dancers swirled amongst the plants and animals who call Alwoodley their home.

Also joining us was storyteller, Mathew, who sparked imaginations as he recounted tales about the insects, plants, and animals that live in Denise’s garden. Denise was also on hand to share how she supports biodiversity by ‘re-wilding’ her garden, and she had plenty of tips and tricks to help visitors do the same.

Under Kali’s guidance, everyone got involved and tried out some hand gestures from the Classical Indian Dance tradition. There was also plenty of time to explore Denise’s garden and spot some of the plants and animals featured in Mathew’s stories.

“ What moved me most was that someone else truly understood my garden, and interpreted it so beautifully through another language — through literature, acting, music and dance. It perfectly summed up what I am trying to do in the garden and transformed it into something living and shared.

Everything fitted into place so naturally, as though it belonged there all along. It felt magical. I absolutely loved it. It still makes me smile now, and I am sure it is making many other people smile too.

- Denise Scott, local resident and garden owner ”

Allerton CE Primary School

At Allerton CE Primary, old friends of BSDC, there was plenty to see and do. While parents found new plants for their gardens, we engaged the children with exciting craft and movement activities, helping them think creatively about the way they cycle, walk, and run. In preparation for ‘Walk and Cycle to School Week’, we helped children transform their bikes into Alwoodley’s wild residents, although local unicorns might be confined to the cycle paths!

Below: Posters designed by BSDC’s graphic designer, Morgan Girvin, which we hung around Allerton CE Primary.

We were also joined by some special guests. Cycle North helped fix up visitors’ bikes, and children put their cycle skills to the test as they navigated BSDC’s specially designed labyrinth. Cheering them on, were some larger-than-life characters, whose friends you might spot along Alwoodley’s nature corridors, if you take the time to look.

With over 200 visitors, it’s safe to say ‘Walk and Cycle to School Week’ was well and truly launched.

Lingfield Community Hub Exhibition

Our creative interventions on Alwoodley 2030's ‘Nature Friendly Garden Day’ were a result of lots of hard work, from research, to site visits, to conversations, to the artistic development of ideas. Our exhibition on display in Lingfield Community Hub celebrates this process, and our history of collaboration with the earth we live, walk, and dance upon.

Dancers

Devaraj Thimmaiah
Kali Chandrasegaram

Musician

Aniruddha Mukherjee

Storyteller

Matthew Bellwood

Photographers

Balbir Singh
Devaraj Thimmaiah
Elia Tomé
Emma Treggidden