Festival of Change

The Festival went well, although the number of visitors wasn't helped by a poor weather forecast. The expectation of high winds on Saturday meant the Zoo team had to move everyone out of the castle courtyard and into the education centre, with lots of extra work and limited space, and then the actual weather wasn't too bad at all. We were in a sheltered shaded spot outside the castle wall, as requested for the moth's welfare, and escaped the disruption and breezy conditions.

As a new group, being able to talk to the public is helpful. The picture at the Zoo was mixed: people who'd been actively involved with butterflies and moths but dropped out (one through family commitments and one demoralised by bad news stories), some quite knowledgeable young parents encouraging interest in their children and others wanting to help nature but vague what that entails. What is sad, and hard to change, is the common distaste for moths versus butterflies.

 Herbs and other flowering plants at the entrance to the Zoo

 We were able to attend some of the talks run as part of the Festival. One was given by Stuart Young of Twycross Zoo, known to us in connection with the project to reintroduce the Kentish Glory moth to the Wyre Forest. It was interesting to hear about the fifteen 'Reverse the Red' species in their conservation plan, which includes Kentish Glory.

We hope this year's Festival will be the start of a productive relationship with Dudley Zoo's conservation team. They're interested in supporting conservation projects in the local area and hope to run the event again in 2027, over a weekend which should mean more visitors. We've suggested that they could have a panel in the Zoo telling visitors about moths: couple of thousand species, only a handful of which damage textiles, some day-flying, some very beautiful. We pointed them to the West Midlands Moth Atlas for more information.

 West Midlands Butterfly & Moth Society stall and banner

 FESTIVAL OF CHANGE AT DUDLEY ZOO & CASTLE

About the Event

The Festival of Change is a two-day community event at Dudley Zoo & Castle, enabled by the Richardson Brothers Foundation, that invites people to come together to explore what change can look like – for wildlife, for our communities, and for the places we call home.

Taking place in the historic courtyard of Dudley Castle, the festival will create a lively, hands-on space where visitors can learn, make, share stories, and connect with others. Through creative workshops, conversations, and practical activities, the event encourages people to reflect on the changes they would like to see – whether that’s supporting local wildlife, improving their neighbourhood, or rethinking their relationship with the natural world.

Alongside a programme of conservation-focused activities, the festival also opens up space to explore wider ideas of change across Dudley Borough – connecting community voices, local knowledge, and shared imagination to consider how our area can continue to grow and thrive.

Our Mission

The Festival of Change aims to inspire and support people to take small, meaningful actions that contribute to a better future for wildlife, community and the places we call home.

At its heart, the event is about empowering change – whether that’s a practical change at home, a positive step for local biodiversity, or a shift in how we see and value our surroundings.

Using the COM-B behaviour change model (Capability, Opportunity, Motivation = Behaviour), the festival is designed to help people feel more confident, inspired, and able to take action. By combining hands-on experiences with opportunities for reflection and connection, we hope to make change feel accessible, achievable, and shared.

More than just an event, our ambition is to create a moment of connection across Dudley Borough – bringing together people, ideas, and stories to imagine futures where both communities and wildlife can flourish, and to begin taking steps towards them together.

What’s On

Across the two days, the Festival of Change will offer a varied programme of activities for all ages.

Enjoy a mix of talks and guest speakers, storytelling sessions, hands-on workshops, and interactive activities designed to inspire action for wildlife and the environment. You’ll also find stalls from local organisations and community groups, alongside live demonstrations and drop-in experiences.

Whether you’re looking to learn, create, or be inspired, there are plenty of ways to get involved and explore positive change.