Wigan villagers get in a flutter for festival to celebrate the owl

Residents will have a hoot as they hold a festival to celebrate their village’s emblem.
By Matt Pennington
Published 12th Apr 2023, 15:45 BST
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Owlfest will return to Standish from 11am to 2pm on Saturday April 29, in what is the only festival in the country celebrating the owl.

It will be a free day packed full of activities linked to the bird that appears on the Standish emblem.

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Organised by the Friends of Standish Library, the event is sponsored by Standish Voice using money raised at a Christmas market.

WIGAN - 11-04-23 Jackie Mason and Florantina Miles at Standish Library, are looking forward to the events of Owl Fest, an event on the 29th April 11am-2pm at Standish Library, with owl-themed activities, including an owl trail around Standish from 22nd April, organised by Friends of Standish Library.WIGAN - 11-04-23 Jackie Mason and Florantina Miles at Standish Library, are looking forward to the events of Owl Fest, an event on the 29th April 11am-2pm at Standish Library, with owl-themed activities, including an owl trail around Standish from 22nd April, organised by Friends of Standish Library.
WIGAN - 11-04-23 Jackie Mason and Florantina Miles at Standish Library, are looking forward to the events of Owl Fest, an event on the 29th April 11am-2pm at Standish Library, with owl-themed activities, including an owl trail around Standish from 22nd April, organised by Friends of Standish Library.
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There will be an owl display by Vale Royal Falconry and children will have the opportunity to dissect owl pellets – coughed-up, undigested food – to see what they eat.

They can also make an origami owl, take part in a competition to name an owl, listen to owl stories and have their face painted as the bird.

There will be an owl trail around the village in the run-up to the event, a stall from Wigan RSPB, refreshments and more.

Related topics:ResidentsWiganStandishStandish Voice