Milton Creek Country Park came alive with creativity, stories and local heritage for Paper Picnic, as the community came together to explore the history of Milton Regis through art, making and conversation.
On a beautiful day surrounded by the landscape of Milton Creek, people of all ages were invited to discover more about the place they call home – and to see it through fresh eyes.
There was plenty to get involved with, from creating oyster-shell inspired artwork and experimenting with creative writing to making paper trees and building cardboard cities. Each activity offered a different way to connect with Milton Regis and its fascinating heritage, encouraging people to explore the stories and histories held within the landscape around them.
One of the things that really stood out was just how many people were surprised to discover the story of Milton Regis’s lost oyster trade. For many, this was a completely new part of the area’s history. The stories of Milton Creek helped spark conversations and encouraged people to look at a familiar place in a new way.
And that was at the heart of Paper Picnic: creating opportunities for people to connect with their local area through creativity, while sharing memories, stories and ideas with one another.
It was wonderful to see people of all ages getting stuck into the activities, discovering new things about their local heritage and talking about their own connections to Milton Regis. The day showed how creative activity can be a powerful way to explore, celebrate and bring local heritage to life.
Creativity, stories and community
Paper Picnic was about much more than making things. It was about creating a space where people could be curious, share what they know and discover something new.
Whether people were making, writing, chatting or simply exploring, everyone had a part to play in creating the atmosphere of the day. The result was a wonderful celebration of Milton Regis, its heritage and the people who live, work and spend time there.
A huge thank you to all the fantastic artists, organisations and volunteers who helped make Paper Picnic happen. And, most importantly, thank you to everyone who came along, got creative, shared their stories and helped make the day such a special celebration of Milton Regis and its heritage.
Paper Picnic was a wonderful reminder that our local places have stories to tell – and that everyone has a part to play in bringing them to life.
Keep an eye out for what’s next from Ideas Test. We can’t wait to share our next project with you!
