Dudley Zoo awarded funding from the Richardson Brothers Foundation

Funding from a generous family business has enabled Dudley Zoo and Castle to launch a new festival to inspire visitors to help make a difference for local wildlife.

The zoo in Castle Hill, Dudley, is set to host ‘The Festival of Change’, a two-day community event in the castle courtyard, on June 5 and 6.

Funding from the Richardson Brothers Foundation - which is run by the Richardson family business - has made the event possible.

Hosted by zoo staff and featuring a number of external conservation partners, the festival will invite visitors to take part in a variety of workshops and hands-on wildlife-based activities including bird and bat box building, bee hotel, seed ball and recycled bird feeder making, which can all be taken away and used to benefit native wildlife at home.

Jack Williams, conservation and development coordinator at Dudley Zoo and Castle, said: “The Festival of Change has been an idea we have hoped to realise for many years and we are incredibly grateful to the Richardson Brothers Foundation for their support in enabling us to bring it to life. Their funding will allow us to create a positive event for all ages of our local community, that inspires action for wildlife and optimism for the future.”

Rachel Brown, trustee at the Richardson Brothers Foundation, added: “The foundation is really pleased to be working with Dudley Zoo and Castle on this exciting weekend. We’re especially keen to encourage local children and young people to get involved with conservation projects and to make the most of the natural environment around them.”

The Festival of Change will form part of the zoo’s general daily admission, however the zoo will also be working with partners to provide reduced entry for certain community groups, including home-educated children.