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Piglet, it’s a purple, psychedelic shapeshifter! The wild new creature prowling Winnie-the-Pooh’s wood
Is it an alien? A dinosaur? Is it going to kill us all? Our writer hits Ashdown Forest for the Big One Hundred celebrations – and finds its magic enchanting new generations
TL;DR
- A large, shapeshifting puppet named Poppet is the centerpiece of Ashdown Forest's "Big One Hundred" celebrations for Winnie-the-Pooh's centenary.
- The puppet, created by outdoor arts charity Trigger, aims to encourage children and families to connect with nature.
- Poppet's performances involve transforming into various natural creatures and interacting with the environment, including eating gorse and bracken.
- The event seeks to inspire a new generation to appreciate and protect natural spaces, similar to how AA Milne's stories brought magic to Ashdown Forest.
- Efforts are being made to make the event accessible to diverse communities, including providing transport for urban and minority groups.
- Ashdown Forest faces conservation challenges, such as the growth of trees on heathland, which is vital for specific species.