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The earlier date means our event will not be within in school holidays. Therefore we hope to attract more schools and college projects who have been unable to join us. It also moves the event out of the height of exam season.

Wirral MakeFest will fall now half way between Halton Makefest and Liverpool MakeFest. We may attract some makers who wanted to join us last time but were attending another event on the day or in close proximity time wise.

The fabulous Wirral Open Studio Tour will be 14th-15th June 2025. By changing the date, our creative makers will not have to decide between the two events and will have more stamina to participate in both. In fact our event could be useful for promotion for the Wirral wide tour of studios.

The single location of Birkenhead Library makes sense as we struggled to secure the heritage transport that had been such a draw in our first year, and we then struggled to secure alternative transport to allow our visitors to visit both venues easily. Logistically it was double the work managing the two spaces and layouts.

The selling factor has always been something Wirral MakeFest has discouraged as we are about engagement, ‘having a go” and being a free event. However we also have to be practical for us as a company and for our makers. Therefore we are contemplating and proposing having a Wirral MakeFest shop where we can sell some merchandise with our branding and we can have some products from our makers.

Hope these are welcome changes and that Wirral MAYkeFest 2025 will be a huge success.

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About Tony Terry

Following my Physics studies at university, I went on to have a short career in industry as a Lamp Engineer (working with tungsten-halogen light sources).

After taking a PGCE in London, I embarked on just over 30 years as a secondary school science teacher, with extra IT responsibilities, as well departmental and pastoral headships. These took me from Essex to Cumbria.

After my retirement from teaching, and moving to the Wirral, I worked in Fab Labs in both Ellesmere Port and Altrincham, using laser cutters, cnc machines, 3D printers and vinyl cutters.

I am currently actively supporting Wirral Repair Cafe, as well as the new Chester Repair Cafe.

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Here is a reminder of some of our activities with some great shots from Ron Thomas.

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Birkenhead Central Library is the home of many books and for one day only, the site to join in with many makers.

The Williamson Art Gallery & Museum has several exhibitions currently including in Gallery 4 centred around Lowry’s painting “Going to the Match” and David Clapham’s moody and dramatic exhibition in Gallery 13.

These are our working documents to assist us with layout and to advise the staff but hope they help you find your way around.

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Wirral Mencap support people in Wirral with a learning disability by:

• championing equality and promoting independence
• providing knowledge and building confidence
• connecting people to their community
• collaborating, informing and sharing best practice

Driven by a small team of staff and amazing volunteers, they work closely with members and their families to offer opportunities and advance equality, ensuring learning disabilities are no barrier to a full and successful life.

To find out more or how you can donate to Wirral Mencap, go to https://wirralmencap.org.uk

Please note Alison has just recently acquired her new Dementia Friend Badge and Jules is a Dementia Champion.

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• 10:00 am MUSIC from Dan Wainwright 
• 10:30am Poets from Wirral Poetry Festival
• 11:00 am MUSIC from Phil Gemmell Rock Tots (interactive)
• 11:30am A reading from Stuart Eglin poet
• 12 noon MUSIC from Laurence Quigley & Jim Walker
• 12 .30– 12.45pm We return to the spoken word with Rita Fitzpatrick poet
• 12.45- 1.15pm Sue Povall returns to the Williamson for story telling (interactive)
• 1.15- 1.45pm Sally Porter (Liverpool Fringe Poet of the Year) returns to Wirral MakeFest
• 1.45-2.15pm MUSIC return with John Jenkins and Pippa Murdy
• 2.15-2.35pm will see the return of local poet Cath Holland poetry who joined us last year
• 2.35-3pm More MUSIC from Callum Carty guitar
• 3-3.30pm Al Peters returns to the Williamson, poet & local legend. He has, I am sure performed, since then but I recall he was a part of the Williamson’s 90 Birthday celebration in 2018.
• Closing words from our MC Alison Schultz

Just down the road at BIRKENHEAD Central Library on Borough Road, proceedings will be overseen by MC Paul Rowlands in the morning and Shell Wright in the afternoon with sound tech, Craig MacKintosh. The performance space is the FOYER

• 10am MUSIC from Paul Rowlands
• 10.30 – 11am Laura Ferries poetry
• 11-11.30am Stephen Porter poetry
• 11.30-12 noon MUSIC tbc
• 12-12.30pm Poets from Wirral Poetry Festival
• 12.30-1pm Cath Holland poetry
• 1-1.30pm MUSIC from Marko & Andrew (TBC)
• 1.30 -2pm Al Peters poet and local legend
• 2-2.30pm MUSIC from Slightly Foxed
• 2.30 -3pm Sue Povall storytelling (interactive)
• 3-3.30pm MUSIC from Laurence Quigley & Jim Walker
• Closing words from our MC, Shell Wright

All timings may be subject to small variations.

REMINDER to performers that all material must be family appropriate as we are an intergenerational festival. 

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Plan what you are bringing to reduce how much you are carrying. We have cafes at both venues plus space for picnics. We don’t have lockers for visitors. It can get warm in both venues, but be prepared for THE WEATHER, last time we had a glorious day. Most of our makers are inside and those that are outside will be under canopy. Bring a reusable water bottle to stay hydrated. We have been provided with Zero Waste LCR reusable water bottles for our 30 volunteers from MRWA. There is one room within the Williamson where no food and drink can be taken as there is the wonderful painting “Going to the Match” on show as part of an exhibition about Lowry and about community.

If you need assistance in the event, look out for our volunteers in their green teeshirts and/or with their recycled green lanyards with medallions made by Neston High School MakerSpace from wooden products donated by FINSA UK. There will also be staff from the Wirral Museums Service and Wirral Libraries in each venue who can provide additional help.

Each venue has ramp access to allow for easier access – the Williamson ramp is to the side of the entrance steps and at the library, the ramp access is accessible from Raffles Road with an automatic door.

The cafe at the Williamson serves tea, coffee, cakes, juice, soup, sandwiches and more and our pop cafe Nettle in the library will be based outside in the pocket park at the rear. There will be a performance space in each of the cafes but there will be quieter spaces to retreat to if noise affects you. If the cafes within our venues are busy there are also cafes in nearby Oxton Village – Twenty Sixteen, Host, Home, Hellas Bakery and Cafe, Bon Bakery and more plus Lidl and great smaller shops on Oxton Road to make a picnic.

The Library has an accessible toilet in the foyer and we will be bringing in two temporary toilets in the pocket park. En route between the two venues there is a toilet within Lidl. The Williamson have toilets in the corridor to the Green Gallery (the outside courtyard at the heart of the Williamson) and a large accessible toilet in the foyer. Baby change facilities are located in the accessible toilet.

At Birkenhead Central Library

Western Spiral Art

ABScraft with our director Alison Bailey Smith

Art In Chester by Chloe Augusta

Crafts and Art Happy Together

Designforge (morning display, afternoon activity)

Elizabeth Lyons, Resident at Make Hamilton Square

Equilibrium North West CIC 

Furryocious – needle felting

Homestoroost

Jo Burton -Woodcarver

Julie Dodd -Artist

Julie Taylor – Tapestry

Little Vintage Photography – cyanotype

Molly Browns Emporium – indigo dying

Piepowder Crafts – copper jewellery

Plastic Tactics CIC

Re-jiggery – upholstery

Steam Engineers

The Yaffingale – artist of mixed media

Vivienne Netherwood – printmaking

Wirral Council – Cool Wirral 

Neston High School Makerspace – plastic recycling 

And latecomers to be added into the mix

Resilient NW

Faiths4Change

PLUS a plethora of poets and musicians

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We were approached by Sue Higginson OBE for her work supporting the new Mayor’s charities, “Incubabies” and the “North West Blind Sailing Club” to create bunting from waste fabric to be used at events throughout the year. We jumped at the idea as we needed bunting too and have been given several giant windsurfing sails that we hope to use for this and very appropriate for supporting the UK North Blind Sailing Association.The textile industry contributes around 10% of global greenhouse emissions and 20% of global waste water production. This is more than shipping and aviation combined. With proper collection and sortation, many items of clothing can be reused to give them a new lease of life. In Europe, the United Kingdom is classed as the highest consumer of new clothing, with the average person buying 26.7kg of new clothes each year with the lifetime for a piece of clothing estimated to only be 2.2 years. This leads to around 300,000 tonnes of used clothes either being burned or sent to landfill on an annual basis.

Combining forces and sharing skills is what Wirral MakeFest is all about. Matching makers with a need or finding sustainable solutions. Our new director, Julie Kay often can be found running small crafting workshops with her other hat on for “ Liscard Links” or for Wirral Older People’s Parliament, building a supportive community and friendships. Although she has a studio, we’re never sure how she does it all.

We are fortunate to have many textiles recyclers represented in Wirral MakeFest and have worked previously with donated school uniforms from Wirral Fuss during last year’s Wirral MakeFest. Join Julie and Sue in the foyer of Birkenhead Central Library for our welcome party and sewing bee on Saturday the 1st of June.

Cllr Cherry Povall JP, new Mayor for Wirral with Sheila Clarke MBE is Mayoress.

The Mayor’s Charity Appeal is a registered charity which is set up to help support the Mayor’s chosen charity each year. 

The Mayor of Wirral for 2024-25 has chosen to raise money for IncuBabies and UK North Blind Sailing Association.  

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Wirral MakeFest, the highly anticipated festival celebrating creativity, innovation, and community, returns for its 2nd annual event. Taking place on Saturday, June 1st, 2024, at the Williamson Art Gallery & Museum and Birkenhead Central Library. Wirral MakeFest promises to be a day filled with inspiration, learning, and hands-on experiences for all ages.

With a wide array of activities, workshops, and exhibits, Wirral MakeFest 2024 offers something for everyone. From technology enthusiasts to artists, scientists, crafters, and hobbyists with a theme of sustainability. This year’s event is set to be the most diverse and engaging yet and is part of the Liverpool City Region’s Borough of Culture programme.

The one day free festival will feature:

• *Drop in and scheduled workshops : Engage in interactive workshops covering topics such as coding, 3D printing, and sustainable living. We are delighted that the team from Seacombe’s Eureka! Science and Discovery will be sharing their “Chew to Poo” activities all about digestion throughout the day from the library.
• *Exhibits: Explore a variety of exhibits showcasing technology, art, and DIY culture. 
• *Demos: Witness fascinating demonstrations from local makers and the UK, including virtual electronics, woodcarving, model making and more.
• *Hands-On Activities: Dive into hands-on activities, including crafting, upcycling, Lego building and experimental projects. 
• *Performances from local poets and musicians at both venues
• *An exciting use of space inside and out with a pop up cafe in the library’s pocket park and integration of the wonderful “Going to the Match” Lowry exhibition into some of the activities at the Williamson.
• *Community: Connect with fellow makers, creators, and innovators from the Wirral area and beyond.

“Wirral MakeFest is a celebration of the incredible creativity and innovation within our community,” said Alison Bailey Smith, director of Wirral MakeFest C.I.C. “We are thrilled to provide a platform for people of all ages and backgrounds to come together, learn, and be inspired. Very pleased to be part of the Borough of Culture programme and to have secured some funding through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund”.

Wirral MakeFest 2024 is free and open to the public, welcoming families, students, professionals, and hobbyists alike. Whether you’re a seasoned maker or just starting, there is something for everyone to enjoy at this year’s event.

Join us on June 1st, 2024, at Wirral Libraries and the Williamson Art Gallery & Museum – inside and outside for Wirral MakeFest 2024 a day for all ages. Free tickets available via Https://www.wirralmakefest.org/tickets and for more information on our fifty makers go to our website or check out our social media.

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