More puffin stuff in here

Excitement is building as final preparations for Amble Puffin Festival are put in place.

For two weeks from 18 May to 1 June, the Friendliest Port will be hosting a unique festival to celebrate the return of the puffins to Coquet Island, to encourage visitors to spend time in the town.and to provide fun and activites for all.

“We believe a Puffin Festival of this type is unique,” said Helen Lewis of Amble Action Group. “We have not found another anywhere in the world.”

Festival organisers are working closely with the RSPB, who look after Coquet Island. Despite the dreadful weather during March, with many birds washed up on local beaches, Paul Morrison RSPB Coquet Island warden was optimistic for the new season. “We have been lucky this time as most were apparently in calmer seas and stayed away until the bad weather eased. Happily the puffins arrived in their thousands on Sunday 7 April, a little late but looking in better than expected condition.

Some events will have an environmental theme, for example there will be an Eco Caravan, history and wildlife talks and nature walks as well as storytelling and crafts for children. Other activities will entertain the townsfolk; street entertainment, The Colony and Emerge music festivals, a local food and drink festival and a ceilidh. For those more active, there will be watersports, childrens fun sports and guided walks.

Help the festival

The organising team are also asking for the public to support the festival by helping to raise £500 for environmental activities. To enable them to hit their target, please pledge what you can via http://spacehive.com/AmblePuffinFestival.

“We are sure visitors will love Amble enough to stay a while, spend some money and hopefully return as the puffins do year after year. After all who can resist a puffin – they always make you smile!” said Helen.

Please see the official website for more information: www.amblepuffinfest.co.uk.

More Puffin Festival articles here