From Brazil to Bosnia, Australia to Austria in total 24 countries will be landing in Belfast for the 2013 Ulster Bank Belfast Festival at Queen’s which was officially launched today (Thursday 5th September) at the George Best Belfast City Airport.

From 17th – 27th October over 70 different performances from all over the world will fill venues in all corners of the city as Ireland’s largest contemporary international arts festival takes off for its 51st year.

Launching the 2013 programme Festival Director Richard Wakely commented, “The Ulster Bank Belfast Festival at Queen’s is one of only a handful of European arts festivals that can deliver such diversity boasting an eclectic mix of world-class Dance, Theatre, Classical Music, Jazz, Roots based Music, Visual Arts, Talks and Film. It is exciting to welcome the international arts community to Belfast and to see these performers share the billing with our finest local talent. Together they will deliver seven Irish premieres and three UK and Ireland premieres in this year’s line-up and with 95% of all our shows priced at £16 and under it is there to be enjoyed by everyone.”

Opening this year’s Festival on Thursday 17th October will be a first for the UK and Ireland as internationally acclaimed artist Jorge Rodriguez-Gerada – the Festival’s first artists in residence – reveals his huge land art portrait Wish. The transformation of eleven acres of land in Belfast’s Titanic Quarter into an anonymous portrait using cutting edge technology and revolutionary art practice will be a major talking point. Sharing the billing for opening day is world-renowned tenor José Carreras who will perform with leading Irish Soprano Celine Byrne at the Waterfront Hall.

2013 will witness the launch of a dedicated Music Club at The Elmwood Hall.  This Cabaret style venue will showcase a world of musical influences such as Jazz, Blues, Indie, Fado, Irish and more.  Carminho, Portugal’s brightest new star will make her Irish debut as she opens the Music Club on 18th October and will be followed by names such as; New York’s Hem, Scandinavian new-wave jazz double act Girls in Airports and Oddarrang, Copenhagen Indie rock band Efterklang, stunning vocalist Iarla O’Lionáird and Steve Cooney, one of the most sought after acts on the traditional Irish Music scene – Dervish with guests The Henry Girls, and finally, cult American blues artist Eric Bibb.

This year’s theatre programme will deliver two Irish premieres that feature direct audience participation with Roger Bernat’s theatrical experiment in political theatre Pending Vote and the thrilling Bullet Catch from Rob Drummond which will finish its world tour as part of the Festival – both of these staged at The Lyric Theatre. Also at The Lyric the critically acclaimed Gare St Lazare Players Ireland will bring Samuel Beckett’s Waiting for Godot to Northern Ireland following performances at the Dublin Theatre Festival.  Local theatre features strongly with a diverse range of performances including a historical tale from Kabosh Theatre Company in Belfast by Moonlight at St George’s Church, tales from the Shankhill in Crimea Square and an international collaboration for Belfast theatre company Prime Cut in The Conquest of Happiness at T13 in the Titanic Quarter to name a few.

Belfast Festival will spread its wings this year as the Classical programme ventures into new and unusual venues around the city. For the first time St Gerard’s Church on the Antrim Road in North Belfast will open its doors to the arts with a performance by the one of the world’s finest vocal groups Ars Nova  Copenhagen whilst the Clonard Monastery will play host to La Serenissima’s performance of Vivaldi’s Four Seasons.  The Waterfront Hall will not only play host to the Festival Opening Concert but will also feature a welcome return for Sir James Galway who will perform a Musical Journey from Rodrigo to Tchaikovsky with the Ulster Orchestra. Queen’s University will provide the setting for The Royal String Quartet from Poland, Chinese American Flautist Sabrina Hu and Derry born Cahal Breslin and the highly acclaimed Brazilian group PianOrquestra. Festival favourites the Ulster Orchestra will bring Festival to a close at The Ulster Hall with The Swan Songs of Strauss – featuring the four last songs composed by Strauss before his death.

For 2013 the Ulster Bank Belfast Festival at Queen’s will feature a Weekend of Dance at The MAC with two UK and Ireland premieres. Memòries d’una Puça from Catalonia’s Sol Picó Cia De Danza is a striking contemporary dance work that reflects the economic and political struggles in Spain. Originating from Belgium is Victor an emotional and beautiful duet delivering an intimate portrait of a relationship.  Bringing dance into public spaces will be a newly commissioned piece from local dance group Maiden Voyage and choreographer Fearghus Ó’Conchúir as they present their piece in the Ulster Museum and The MAC Upper Gallery.

The family programme delivers for ‘big ones’ and ‘little ones’ with an installation in Botanic Gardens offering to transport the younger children away from technology and into an imaginary world of sound, light and movement with The Strange Travel of Seynor Tonet. Whilst a collaboration with East Belfast Arts Festival and the West Belfast Féile an Phobail will promote international, award winning Tumble Circus in their new show Damn the Circus which will take place in both Belmont Park and Falls Park and is an event geared for the older family market.

A series of thought provoking talks cover everything from best-selling author Simon Singh’s investigation of the mathematical aspects of The Simpsons to award-winning Guardian columnist Gary Younge’s interpretation of Martin Luther King. Plus, Mark Carruthers launches his new book of interviews – Alternative Ulsters, Jonathan Aitken discusses Margaret Thatcher, Bernard MacLaverty celebrates the publication of his new Collected Stories,   a poetry reading with the John Hewitt Society and Feargal  Mac Ionnrachtaigh reflects on the role of the Irish language for Republican former prisoners –  all presented in association with the Belfast Book Festival. Finally, Film Noir is celebrated at QFT in association with Cornerhouse as they present 12 classics including Double Indemnity, The Killers, The Last Seduction and The Big Sleep along with a focus on Swiss Film.

Ellvena Graham, Head of Ulster Bank Northern Ireland said, “The Ulster Bank Belfast Festival at Queen’s is firmly embedded in the heart of cultural life in Northern Ireland and has established a reputation for delivering world class, international artists and performances to local audiences.  But more than that, it’s about celebrating diversity and improving access to the arts across all communities with new venues for this year’s Festival in the North, South, East and West of the City. The Ulster Bank Belfast Festival at Queen’s is also an important contributor to the local economy, encouraging tourism and adding vitality to the City. We are proud to be part of the success and development of the Festival over the years and look forward to another unique and international Festival season.”

Bob Collins, Chair of Arts Council of Northern Ireland, commented, “The Ulster Bank Belfast Festival at Queen’s adds a massive contribution to Northern Ireland’s cultural life and international reputation.  We are proud of our commitment to the festival over the last number of years because the investment of public money has enabled this defining festival to continue to aim higher than most, bringing the best and most sought-after arts, from home and abroad, within the reach of everyone.”

The scale and diversity of this annual Festival programme would not be possible without the continuing and generous support of various public and private sponsors, including the Arts Council of Northern Ireland, Ulster Bank, Belfast City Council, Northern Ireland Tourist Board, the EU and the British Council. Plus, the many venues, performers and partner organisations whose commitment and passion bring the arts to life for all to enjoy.

The Ulster Bank Belfast Festival at Queen’s runs from 17th – 27th October at venues all over the city. To find out more and book tickets visit www.belfastfestival.com or call  box office on 02890 971197. ⧣BelFest Ends Further information from: Cathy Law +44 (0)7876358842/festivalpress@qub.ac.uk

The Rocky Horror Show, Millennium Forum, September 2013.

I saw the Rocky Horror Show in the West End London about 25 years ago and was very excited to be invited by the Millennium Forum to see it again for some Transsexual Timewarping fun last Tuesday.

Accompanied  by “the cousin” we opted not to dress for the part but some did and wore it well… it was fabulously filthy, fun and for me, Philip Franks stole the night with his rapid reparti in response to some gender-bending heckling and audience participation ( I use that term loosely) but Philip’s quick responses and good humour were genius.

If you haven’t seen the show get yourself a ticket now – but take  heed, this show is most definitely NOT for children or the faint hearted. So get the heels out, suspenders and basque’s on and lipstick at the ready….and ladies the same goes for you!

A great night’s entertainment with lots of laughter and dancing to the Time Warp.  A well deserved standing ovation for the amazingly talented cast continued for quite some time as the production left everyone on a high and wanting more.

Get your tickets now over at http://www.millenniumforum.co.uk/content/rocky-horror-show and read all about the production, cast and crew over at http://rockyhorror.co.uk/.

2013 marks the 400^th Anniversary of Bangor’s town charter with a year-long programme of events to celebrate the cultural history of the town.

Come to Bangor Town Hall on Saturday 14 September for a musical journey through time.  Swingabella will kick off the night at 6pm supported by an 8 piece band.  This is a close-harmony vocal trio bringing back the sassy sound of the 30s and 40s – the Swing Era.  Their repertoire includes the songs of the Andrews Sisters – favourites like ‘Don’t Sit Under The Apple Tree’ and ‘In The Mood.’

Next up are Local heroes Otis and The Elevators – everyone has a favourite Blues Brothers number and they’re guaranteed to create an unforgettable party atmosphere and have everyone dancing and singing!

Appearing for the first time in Northern Ireland the next act is a huge hit in the UK.  King Pleasure and the Biscuit Boys – this unusually named band is one of the most popular jazz and swing bands in the world, made famous by Ronnie Scott’s clubs, performing classy numbers in Louis Jordan and Eddie Cleanhead style.

On Sunday 15 we are delighted to announce an event called Bangor 400 Voices.

The night will commence with a Church Service at 6pm, followed at 7pm by a celebration of choral excellence which will see local choirs Bangor Ladies Choir, Open Arts Choir, New Irish Youth Choir and Belfast Community Gospel Choir collaborate for a very special concert. Guest soloists Sylvia Burnside and Craig Skene will also be performing accompanied by a house band and string quartet.

On both Saturday and Sunday nights at 10.00 pm the Town Hall will be used as a spectacular backdrop for a 3d lighting projection show which will transport the audience through a journey reflecting on the last 400 years using visuals reflections to energise Bangor Castle and bring it to life as the story unfolds.

Everyone is welcome to bring a picnic to these events but tea, coffee and an array of other foods will be available on the site. So please come along to Castle Park to enjoy this FREE event.

Sunday September 15 sees the return of the Quirky Weddings Alternative Wedding Fair at the Waterfront Hall in Belfast.

This time the dynamic wedding company will showcase over 120 exhibitors who have been carefully selected.

“Our fairs have always been very popular so this time we took applications from companies who wanted to exhibit. Almost 200 applied and from that we chose the ones we thought best fit the Alternative Wedding Fair.”

Co-Founder Saima Akram explains

“We call it the Alternative Wedding Fair because we do things differently. We aren’t selling some fantasy, fairytale wedding scenario. We showcase people in the industry who are excellent at what they do and those who offer things that are fun, unusual, vibrant and often unique.”

Cate Conway also commented

“We have a really exciting line-up this time. We have unusual venues like Lusty Beg Island and The Nomadic, a company who provide home brew kits for couples who want to brew their own beer or wine for the reception. There’ll be authentic vintage dresses, bridal boutiques and a wedding dress sample sale. We are also possibly the first wedding fair in the province to showcase our cinematographers work in an actual cinema setting too! “

“We also hear from couples who consider themselves to have an ‘alternative look’ that they felt out of place going to a traditional wedding fair, that people expected them to have a very unusual or eccentric wedding. In actuality they wanted the chance to bring out their softer side on their wedding day. We are proud to say we can help with that too.”

The fair will take place in The Waterfront Hall in Belfast on Sunday September 15  from 12pm-5pm. Tickets at the door, £6

I’m With the Band, a co-production between Wales Millennium Centre and Traverse Theatre Company will shortly embark on a UK tour visiting Theatre at the Mill on 20 and 21 September, its only date in Northern Ireland.

A witty and timely response to our changing political landscape, I’m With The Band is written by Tim Price and directed by Traverse Associate Director Hamish Pirie, who were Olivier nominated for their last collaboration, Salt Root and Roe.

In I’m with The Band, pioneering indie rock band, The Union – made up of an Englishman, a Northern Irishman, a Scotsman and a Welshman – is on the verge of breaking up. Financial disaster strikes, Scottish guitarist leaves the band and old alliances are tested as artistic differences divide the group. Can The Union survive?

Wales Millennium Centre and Traverse Theatre Company are delighted to announce the cast for I’m With the Band. Welsh actor Matthew Bulgo is to play Gruff, the Welsh band member, alongside James Hillier (Damien – The Englishman), Declan Rodgers (Aaron – The Northern Irishman) and Andy Clark (Barry – The Scotsman). The creative team includes sound designer/composer Gordon McIntyre, designer Neil Warmington, and lighting designer Philip Gladwell.

Director Hamish Pirie says: “I am thrilled to be working with a company so brimming full of talent on this truly ensemble piece. I’m With the Band will be a work of total theatre, combining the most innovative new writing with synths and song. In a play that investigates the relationships between our home nations, it feels important and right that we have an actual Englishman, Northern Irishman, Scotsman and Welshman in the cast, each bringing their own experiences to the table.”

Writer Tim Price comments: “I’m With the Band is my response to the Scottish Independence question. I love Scotland. Part of me is delighted with the idea that a country I love might become autonomous. But, as a Welshman I am heartbroken at the prospect of a diminished relationship.

“I wanted to find a way to explore the complicated relationships between the home countries. I’m With the Band explores the Independence question, through a rock band losing their guitarist. It asks, could the Union survive without Scotland? And could Scotland survive without the Union?

“Theatre is in a unique position to respond rapidly to national questions, and it is a privilege to contribute to this debate at the home of new writing in Scotland.”

Conrad Lynch, Artistic Director of the Wales Millennium Centre said: “We are delighted to be working with this wonderful cast and creative team and look forward to touring the show to venues across the UK following the run in Edinburgh.”

I’m With the Band premiered in Edinburgh Fringe Festival as part of the British Council’s Showcase season, then transferred directly to the St James Theatre in London before touring venues across Wales, Northern Ireland and England.

The UK tour of I’m With The Band is kindly supported by the Arts Council of Wales

To book tickets for further information visit www.theatreatthemill.com Tickets range from £9 to £15. Age guidance 16+.

A powerful new drama by Martin Lynch will hit the Alley Theatre this September.  ‘Meeting at Menin Gate’ will be in Strabane on Saturday 27^th September.

Speaking ahead of the play’s Press launch, Lynch said, “I’ve wanted to write this play for quite a while. Whilst it’s based on a true story, some of my own experiences of Belfast in the 1970’s are in there. Consequently, I regard myself as both a victim and a perpetrator. I know people will see this as controversial but let them come along and see the play and judge for themselves.”

Based on a powerful true story, the play deals with the controversial issue of victims and survivors.

Presented by Green Shoot Productions, Meeting At Menin Gate follows Sam Millar’s Brothers In Arms and Ron Hutchinson’s Paisley & Me as the final instalment of the The Ulster Trilogy, a series of three plays exploring the state of Northern Ireland today.

Green Shoot is delighted to announce a top class team has been assembled for the production.

A rare appearance on stage in Northern Ireland has been secured for leading Dublin-based actress Andrea Irvine. Andrea has established herself as one of the very best actresses on the Dublin stage, having starring roles at The Abbey and The Gate Theatres and well as a number of leading RTE TV roles. We are delighted to have Andrea on our team.

Andrea said “I always love coming back to Northern Ireland, especially to play a meaty role like Liz in Meeting at Menin Gate.

This is an intense and powerful script, and I am really looking forward to the challenge.”

We are also delighted to have captured another leading light in the theatre worlds of New York and Dublin, Belfast man, Director, Matt Torney.

Commented Matt, “This play tackles questions that are vital to the future of peace in Northern Ireland, such as: How do we cope with the legacy of violence?  How do we define victims and perpetrators? And is forgiveness possible in the face of such grief.”

As well as Andrea, Matt will be working with the very best of Belfast actors Marty Maguire (Dancing Shoes, Chronicles Of Long Kesh), James Doran (Brothers In Arms, The Christening) and Maria Connolly (Scenes From A Big Picture, Dancing Shoes).

Meeting at Menin Gate explores the world left behind by the Troubles in which politicians endlessly debate whether Northern Ireland should have a Truth Commission.  Attending a cross-community Peace and Reconciliation tour of World War I battle sites, LIZ a protestant nurse, meets TERRY, an ex IRA gunman.  In a hotel room in Ypres, Belgium, they open a bottle of wine and confront some painful secrets from the past.   Will this be a two-person Truth Commission or simply raw, naked revenge?

Whilst this play will examine the pain of victims, it will also explore the motivations of the perpetrator in what promises to be a powerful climax to The Ulster Trilogy.

Green Shoot Productions would like to thank our funders for their support of Meeting at Menin Gate – The Arts Council of Northern Ireland, Belfast City Council, Department for Social Development, Community Relations Council. Lloyds TSB Foundation, Victims and Survivors Service and The John Hewitt.

Tickets are £12 and available from the Alley Theatre Box Office on 028 71 384444 or online www.alley-theatre.com

To launch this year’s Coleraine Borough Council’s Northern Ireland International Airshow sponsored by RSA NI which takes place on Saturday 31^st August and Sunday 1^st September, 93 year old Tom Lackey has just set a new World Record.

He completed a wing walk from Scotland to Northern Ireland as the oldest wing walker to cross the Irish Sea, as he stood on top of a 1942 fabric covered, plywood and wire biplane.

Tom was praised by onlookers and his close family as he arrived at City of Derry Airport on Thursday 29^th August 2013. Flying ona vintage 1942 Boeing Stearman biplane flown by Mr Mike Dentith, Mr Lackey spent 1 hour and 27minutes in the air as he flew over the Irish Sea, departing from Castle Kennedy in Scotland.

Both pilot and wingwalker received an emotional welcome by his daughter Anne Joynson, his 16 year old grand-daughter Verity Joynson and family friend, Wendy Greatbatch. Mayor of Coleraine Councillor David Harding was one of the first to welcome Mr Lackey to the North Coast said, “this is an amazing achievement and we are in awe of Tom completing such a daunting task, for anyone of any age! I can not thank him enough and for the support of City of Derry Airport, for supporting the launch of Coleraine Borough Council’s NI International Airshow, sponsored by RSA, which will be held in Portrush this weekend. Tom’s achievements prove to everyone that the sky really is the limit!”

Inspired by the loss of his wife, Mr Lackey has since turned to charity and fund raising work in which he has raised over £1.25 million to date and was presented with the coveted ‘Pride of Britain’ award in 2011 for all his tremendous work. This is not his first world record, as in November of last year he completed 4 crossings of the English Channel for the Guinness Book of Records, from Dover to Calais and back, twice in succession!

Tom retired from business at young age of 79, which he says, “was way too early!”.  Following his landing, he stated that, it was quite an experience although he wouldn’t do it again and he was pleased to see happy faces and his family waiting for him.

Mike Dentith will be displaying twice per day at the NI International Air Show being staged on Saturday 31st August and Sunday 1st September.  Spanish beauty and model “Ainhoa Sanchez” from Madrid, the only professional Spanish acrobatic/dancing wing-walker in the world! has come to the North Coast especially for the air show where she has been in training for this weekend’s event.

The annual NI International Airshow sponsored by RSA is set to roar over Portrush this weekend, organised by Coleraine Borough Council this year’s FREE event will feature five jet displays including the world famous Red Arrows on the Saturday.

The Airshow event opens at 11am each day with air displays from 12noon until 6pm. The flyer can be downloaded from www.niinternationalairshow.co.uk or on Facebook and Twitter (Portrush Airshow). Alternatively contact Coleraine Tourist Information Centre on 028 7034 4723 or log onto Council’s website www.colerainebc.gov.uk

Jacqueline from whatsonni.com shares her pick of family events happening across the North for the last weekend of the summer holidays.

Down

Herbert Smith Freehills in association with the National Trust and Arts & Business Northern Ireland is bringing live theatre to Rowallane Garden.  New plays (directed by Lyn Harris) inspired by real life memories of the House and Gardens will interweave with the beautiful surroundings of Rowallane and will take you on a journey of laughter and tears, perhaps when you are least expecting it!  11am – 4pm,Saturday 31 August and Sunday 1 September.

Tyrone

Design and create your very own teddy bear using recycled material then create some eatable art with Jacqueline Toal at the Strule Arts Centre on Friday 30^th August.  Finally enjoy all your hard work at a teddy bears picnic outdoors (weather permitting!).  Suitable for 5+ years.

Fermanagh

Early Life on an Island, Devenish Monastic Site – on the 1^st September 1-5pm meet the early Christian Monk St Molaise and find out how he founded the site, who was burnt in the Round Tower and who were the Augustinians who founded St Mary’s Abbey. NIEA Boat runs from Trory Point at 10am, 1pm, 3pm and 5pm.

Derry

Maghera Community Forum presents an International Dance and Music Festival on Saturday 31^st August at Maghera Leisure Centre. You are invited to a fantastic afternoon with great musicans, dancers, singers, and workshops from all around the world! Funfair, face painting, dance workshops, craft and food stalls, and much more!

Armagh

Aliens have landed at Armagh Planetarium!  We need some very brave space cadets to find these strange creatures and send them back to their own planet.  We are looking for trainees with excellent teamwork skills, expertise in thinking, a flair for problem-solving and a talent for patience and stealth.  If you think you are up to the challenge then Armagh Planetarium will equip you with a special laser gun for this important mission.  This is an event not to be missed and guaranteed fun for all the family.  The quest continues until Friday 30^th August 12 noon until 4:00pm.

Antrim

Ireland’s biggest airshow returns to the beautiful seaside setting of Portrush, on the north coast  for the eleventh time on Saturday 31^st August and Sunday 1^st September.  The spectacular West Bay of the bustling family resort is a natural amphitheatre for a 2-day programme of air displays, sea displays, ground shows, exhibitions and stalls.  The weekend regularly attracts crowds of over 100,000 and once again admission is completely free!

Belfast
The East Belfast Arts Festival is in it’s 2nd year and will again be celebrating all that East Belfast has to offer. The programme for 2013 is jam packed with local, national and international artists. In new and unusual venues across East Belfast you will be treated to an array of music, visual art, theatre, literature, heritage, film and comedy. Highlights this year include ‘sons of East’ Roy Walker and Brian Houston, Kaz Hawkins, Carrie Davenport photographic exhibition, Art in the Eastside, East Belfast Public Art Trail, Poetry Slam, Literary Tour, workshops, the list goes on. Events are priced between FREE- £15.
For more details on these and other events across Northern Ireland, news and competitions see www.whatsonni.com, follow us @whatsonni and like us at fb.com/www.whatsonni and remember to add your  events FREE OF CHARGE at www.whatsonni.

The call is out for volunteers to join the team and help create the opening event for this year’s Ulster Bank Belfast Festival at Queen’s.

The Wish project requires hundreds of volunteers to work alongside internationally acclaimed artist-in-residence Jorge Rodriguez-Gerada to transform five acres of land in the Titanic Quarter into the largest land art portrait in the UK and Ireland.

Donegal gaelic football star Karl Lacey and rugby stars of the future Joshua Skarmoutsos and Christian Orr from Bangor Rugby Club have jumped at the chance to volunteer and be part of what is set to be the most exciting and ambitious arts project ever undertaken in the city.

Work starts on the piece in September and to register to take part visit the WISH event page on www.belfastfestival.com or call 02890 971197. No artistic experience is required and everyone is welcome to give as much or as little time as they wish.

On Saturday 31 August at 2pm Castle Espie Art Gallery, will be opening the doors to a textile sculpture exhibition “Flying Solo”.

This is the inspired title of an exhibition by local artist, Emma Hall.   The exhibition will run from Saturday 31 August to Sunday 6 October and will showcase  Emma’s work who highlights, ‘I work with salvaged textiles and sheeps fleece to create unique 3 dimensional birds and animals. I will also be including my paintings and illustrations along with the textile sculptures.’

Emma went on to say, ‘After graduating from the University of Ulster with a degree in graphic design, I worked as a graphic designer for over 10 years. I started a part time textiles course a few years ago and it opened up a whole new world to me in terms of materials and techniques. I experimented (and still do) with anything I could find. I taught myself to needle felt, a process in which sharp barbed needles are poked into sheep’s fleece, binding the fibres into a firm dense mat that can be sculpted. Most of the fleece I use is from local sheep. I also get my inspiration from the countryside around me.’

Maeve Curran, Castle Espie Marketing and Communications Manager highlighted, ‘One of the aims of the gallery is to encourage fresh talent and we are delighted to showcase Emma’s work; with such a mix of mediums and quirky style celebrating our local wildlife and countryside’.

The gallery is open daily from 10am to 5pm and entry is free. For full details on the up and coming gallery exhibitions and events please visit wwt.org.uk/castleespie, email info.castle@wwt.org.uk or call 028 91 874146. Follow us on facebook and Twitter @WWTcastleespie.

Become a WWT member when you visit and not only will you get your entrance fee refunded, but you can then enjoy great days out for a full 12 months for FREE. Our centre is open 364 days a year and with annual family membership only £68 for two adults and up to six children (or just £5.67 a month, plus a free book for joining by Direct Debit) it ‘pays for itself’ after just three visits. Members also receive an exclusive quarterly magazine, Waterlife, which keeps you up to date on what’s going on at all nine WWT UK wetland centres and has information about WWT’s exciting conservation projects saving species from extinction and caring for important wetlands around the world. Ask a member of staff on your next visit.