The magic of wind charming

But Bedford Creative Arts is inviting anyone who’s interested to come along to Dunstable’s Priory Parish Hall this weekend (August 9 and 10) to learn the gentle art of wind charming.

It started last year with Liverpool-based French artist Laurence Payot encouraging like-minded souls to join her on Dunstable Downs to establish a new tradition – Dunstable Wind Charming Day.

Now BCA is counting on the event joining the compendium of other quirky British customs,

Laurence said: “The magic is that it brings people together to create something beautiful and out-of-the-ordinary.

“It’s about celebrating this special place and the people who make it, using the strong local wind as a metaphor for the invisible forces that connect us to each other and our environment.

“Each wind charmer will bring his or her own interpretations of what this new folklore means to them – through the creation of their costumes and personal stories, to become part of a collective visual peformance, leading up to the flying of a giant kite-like sculpture.”

She added: “For me, this event is all about feeling alive, here and now, together.”

Dunstable Wind Charming Day will take place on Dunstable Downs between 1.30pm and 4pm on Sunday, August 31.

But prior to that, you can book in for one of two initiation days on Saturday or Sunday from 11am to 4pm. This will include kite building, costume design, photography and choreography.

> More info from [email protected]