A purple, psychedelic shapeshifter named Poppet has taken up residence in Ashdown Forest, the storied landscape that inspired Winnie-the-Pooh. Created by costume designer Jack Irving and brought to life by 10 award-winning puppeteers, Poppet is the centerpiece of the Big One Hundred celebrations, a free festival marking a century of A.A. Milne's beloved stories. The puppet, which transforms from caterpillar to bird to munching monster, is designed to enchant schoolchildren and encourage families to explore the natural wonders of the forest.
Poppet's Purpose: Connecting Kids with Nature
Angie Bual, creative director of Trigger, the outdoor arts charity behind Poppet, explains the puppet's role: "Putting a narrative onto a natural landscape gives it a mystical edge." The festival aims to spark new stories and connections with the wild, especially for families less familiar with the countryside. Poppet's performances include a gentle educational element, as the creature devours gorse and bracken—a playful way to teach about conservation.
The Magic of Ashdown Forest
Ashdown Forest, a 2,500-hectare expanse of heath and woodland, has been immortalized by Milne and illustrator E.H. Shepard. The landscape remains remarkably intact despite being only 35 miles from London. It hosts rare species like the silver-studded blue butterfly, adder, nightjar, and Dartford warbler. The forest's heathland has shifted from 90% open heath to 60% due to tree growth, requiring careful management to preserve the habitat.
Engaging Diverse Audiences
The Big One Hundred includes nature-based activities, crafting, storytelling, and yoga, with transport provided for global majority and disabled-led groups. Bual, a British Asian, notes that spending time in nature is not instilled in every culture: "Sometimes you need a destination or an event like this." The festival seeks to create "emotional anchoring" so that children feel the forest belongs to them, inspiring future stewards.
Poppet's Performances and Tour
Poppet performs in Ashdown Forest on 18-19 July, then tours to Hailsham Town Centre (26 July), Sheffield Park and Garden (1 August), Uckfield's Weald on the Field (8 August), and Herstmonceux Castle (22-23 August). Bual hopes the puppet's "super-joy" will motivate children to nurture nature for the next century. When asked what Winnie-the-Pooh would think, she smiles: "He’d tell Piglet that he knew all about it all along."
