On Saturday 19 July, Slough showed that resilience isn’t just about infrastructure – it’s about people coming together with water and nature, facing uncertainty, and building something better.
Hundreds turned out for citizen science demos, live performances, nature trails, storytelling, and a solar-powered stage. The festival was a vibrant call for a greener, stronger future.
The festival was honoured by visits from the High Sheriff of Berkshire, Sean Taylor and the Deputy Mayor of Slough, Neel Rana, who joined the event following the official ribbon-cutting ceremony for the newly transformed tunnel mural, “Water Lives Here.”
The delightful public artwork of the mural, led by Viva Slough and Project SPONGE, has turned a once-neglected underpass between Salt Hill Park and Baylis Park into a vibrant symbol of community pride and environmental awareness.
The High Sheriff and Deputy Mayor toured the festival grounds, meeting with stallholders and joining in on activities — including a lively demonstration by the Royal Berkshire Fire & Rescue Service, who brought along their water safety kit and inflatable canoes. Their engaging demos were a hit with families, and even the Deputy Mayor got involved, highlighting the importance of water safety in a fun and memorable way.
At the centre of the festival stood a majestic old oak tree, transformed into a Wishing Tree. Children were invited to write their hopes for local green spaces on oak-leaf cards — one side for their wish, the other for a drawing of what they’d love to see in parks and gardens near them. The tree quickly blossomed with colourful leaves, each one a heartfelt reminder of how deeply nature matters to the next generation.
Over 10 community groups and organisations brought the park to life with interactive stalls offering everything from eco-themed quizzes and henna tattoos to storytelling, water play, and citizen science tasters. The creativity and passion on display reflected the incredible diversity and dedication of Slough’s voluntary and community sector.
A major highlight of the day was the unveiling of a brand-new Nature Trail, created especially for the festival. In the days leading up to the event, around 30 volunteers, led by the Slough Parks team, worked tirelessly — and in extremely hot conditions — to clear and prepare the site, making the trail safe and accessible for visitors. The trail was a huge hit with families and nature lovers alike, and due to its success, Slough Borough Council is now exploring options to make it a permanent fixture in Salt Hill Park.
The solar-powered stage hosted a dynamic line-up of local talent, with performances that celebrated Slough’s cultural richness and connection to nature. From dance and spoken word to music and movement, the stage became a platform for voices and stories that inspired and uplifted. Performances included: Elite Drummers, Michelle Bewley, James Gibbons, Nihar Roshan Sindhu, Sanchari - House of Dance, Slough Community Youth Soul Choir, Natyalogy – Grace in Motion, and an impromptu Zumba lesson to get everyone moving.
Designed to spark conversations about flood resilience, the power of green spaces, and community wellbeing the festival was funded by Project SPONGE in collaboration with Wildfowl & Wetland Trust (WWT), The National Flood Forum (NFF), Slough Borough Council and Buckinghamshire Council.
Olivia Flint, Environmental Lead - Carbon & Sustainability, Slough Borough Council, said:
“Bringing the Water and Nature Festival to the heart of Slough is a powerful reminder that even in a densely built-up town, nature has a vital role to play in our wellbeing, resilience, and sense of community. Events like this help residents reconnect with their local green spaces and understand how small, collective actions can make a big difference in tackling climate change and improving flood resilience. We’re proud to support initiatives that bring people and nature closer together.”
Deputy Mayor of Slough, Cllr Neel Rana, said: “It has been a pleasure to be here today at this first Water and Nature Festival for the borough. It has been amazing to meet everyone and to see so many residents here enjoying the afternoon. There has been something engaging for everyone and particularly memorable was the water safety demonstration by the Royal Berkshire Fire & Rescue Service, which got everyone involved in understanding water safety. Thank you to all the organisers at Project Sponge for creating such an educational and fun event.”
The Slough Water & Nature Festival marks a hopeful step forward in building a greener, more connected future for the town — one wish, one conversation, and one action at a time.