PRESS RELEASE :: Run Wild, Child

Dig the City, Manchester City Centre, Thursday 6 August 10am – 3pm. FREE

Dig The City, Manchester's summer garden festival and Wild Rumpus, producers of the award-winning Just So Festival invite families to Run Wild, Child, an anarchic immersive wild adventure across Manchester City Centre for a fantastical finale of Dig The City 2015.

Beneath the Manchester that you know so well, vines twist around the subterranean canals, and the wilds of Manchester live hidden underneath the streets you walk. Once a year, these wilds below creep onto the city streets, and the secrets of wild Manchester, are revealed. But only to families, who are prepared to run wild, for one short day in August.

Arm yourself with a magical map from the Information Point (Exchange Street) and keep your wits about you to meet the creatures of the wild from 10am onwards. Discover their secrets,  find your way through their tricks, mysteries and clues to discover the clandestine location and join them at their annual moment of revelry of gigantic proportions at 3pm. Families who plan to run wild should come prepared to expect anything, get muddy and, in particular, get wet.

Locations across the city will each deliver a clue.  Meet bizarre beetles, bumblebees, grasshoppers and dragonflies. Look, listen, hunt, discover secret passages and even swop nature in exchange for information. Encounter surprising happenings and mysterious messages that have appeared in unexpected places. Don't miss your photo opportunity at The Botanical Collection of Curiosities, investigate the most curious Bureau de Change and the public premiere of The Restoration Agency, a bizarre pop up theatre installation staffed by eccentric staff determined to return lost property to their rightful owners.    

Rowan Hoban, Director of Wild Rumpus says “We have long believed in a secret wild world underneath the streets of Manchester. We're incredibly excited that working with Dig the City means that we can gather the families of Manchester on an extraordinary adventure to find the creatures and secrets of the wild.”

Nelson Beaumont-Laurencia, event producer for Dig the City added: "We're delighted Wild Rumpus have joined our summer party.  Dig the City brings 7 days of amazing events and stunning show gardens to the city centre.  Our shops, bars and restaurants also go green with magnificent window displays and fantastic events and offers for our shoppers, as well as visits from Mr Bloom, the National Trust, TV's Diarmuid Gavin and many more.  Run Wild, Child completes what is sure to be a fabulous week in the city."

Start your adventure now. Follow curious clues, receive secret messages , dressing up and reading inspiration @_wildrumpus @digthecitymcr #RunWildChild. Join the Run Wild Child facebook page here and visit www.runwildchild.co.uk. Share your experiences and photos on the day to help others follow the trail, discover the secret location and see the creatures of the wild's annual moment of revelry.

Run Wild, Child is part of Dig The City's free family programme. For full details see http://www.digthecity.co.uk/kids-activities/

For press information, images and interviews for Run Wild, Child contact:

Gemma Gibb:  gemma.gibb@wildrumpus.org.uk 07958 700 818

Jen Scott: jen.scott@wildrumpus.org.uk 07592 979 007

Notes to Editors:

1. Run Wild, Child takes place at various locations across the city from 10am with a culmination event at a secret location at 3pm (follow the clues to discover where). Suitable for all ages. Families should allow around 2 hours to discover all the clues and come prepared to get muddy and wet.

2. Wild Rumpus CIC is a social enterprise, based in Cheshire, who organise large scale family arts events in wild natural landscapes. They produce the award-winning Just So Festival (21 – 23 August 2015 www.justsofestival.org.uk). Past projects include The Lost Carnival in partnership with So It Is and The Spellbound Forest in partnership with the Forestry Commission. Wild Rumpus believe in the power of a wonderful moment to change the way that a family engages in the arts together and say “if we don't give you goosebumps we are not doing it right”. www.wildrumpus.org.uk

3. The Restoration Agency has been developed by theatre-maker Sarah Richardson during her time at The Forge, a woodland residency programme delivered by Wild Rumpus and funded by Arts Council England for those developing their practice in outdoor arts. The Restoration Agency is an immersive theatre event for young families aimed at opening up theatre to a wider audience and has its public premiere at Dig The City. http://www.wildrumpus.org.uk/the-forge/

4. Dig the City is Manchester's award-winning summer garden festival and newest summer attraction. The event transforms the city's shopping streets – taking in Market Street, New Cathedral Street, St Ann's Square, King Street, Deansgate and Greengate Square. There are Show Gardens, horticultural talks and workshops, children's activities, live music, entertainment, fine food – and special shopping events and promotions. The 2014 festival won 'Outstanding' recognition at the 2014 RHS Britain in Bloom Awards – following a 'Gold' award in 2013.  The 2013 festival won a Commendation at the 2013 UK Events Awards.

Dig the City is produced by CityCo on behalf of the Heart of Manchester Business Improvement District (BID) – a consortium of over 380 city centre retailers www.heartofmanchester.com .

The festival is supported by Manchester City Council, Manchester Cathedral, Salford City Council, Visit Manchester and the National Trust, alongside event partners and sponsors.  

More information can be found at digthecity.co.uk

For press information on Dig The City please contact: 

Jennifer Middleton – jennifer@lemonzestpr.co.uk or 01757268283 / 07708155501

Lucy Allen – lucy@lucyallenpr.co.uk / 07968145611

Ellen Howells – ellen@lemonzestpr.co.uk or 01757268283

About the Heart of Manchester BID

The Heart of Manchester Business Improvement District (BID) is an independent not-for-profit company governed by a Board of retailers and city centre stakeholders. 

A Business Improvement District is a successful management model operating in most towns and cities in the UK, and across the USA and Europe. Manchester's BID is a specific geographical area encompassing over 380 retailers spanning King Street, St Ann's Square, New Cathedral St, Exchange Square, Market St and part of Deansgate.  

The BID is financed by a levy made of the basis of rateable value – meaning over £1 million per year will be invested for a period of 5 years. Agreement to launch was made through a successful legal ballot. The BID is focused on delivering customer service andpromotional initiatives aimed at increasing footfall and retail spend in city centre Manchester.

More information about the Heart of Manchester BID can be found at www.heartofmanchester.com

NCP

NCP Manchester Limited (NML) was formed in 1999 as a joint venture between NCP and Manchester City Council. NML has allowed the city to change the way parking services are delivered, serving as a gateway to the city whilst integrating with the city's various transport systems.  NML delivers many cutting edge innovations to ensure that Manchester enjoys the finest car park facilities, including our pre booking system, where customers can book their parking at selected car parks in Manchester through www.ncp.co.uk to guarantee their space at all times.  

For more information please contact: pressoffice@ncp.co.uk

Gemma Gibb

Communications, Wild Rumpus

07958 700 818 @GemmaGibb

www.wildrumpus.org.uk @_wildrumpus