Families can get involved in a variety of activities at The Hive this Easter as part of a major project celebrating World Fish Migration Day.
There will be storytelling, dance workshops and animation as part of a community engagement initiative, known as The Wishing Fish, which is being delivered by the University of Worcester on behalf of the Severn Rivers Trust, as part of the Unlocking the Severn Project.
In addition, there is a six-foot sculpture of The Wishing Fish, inspired by stories in which fish are celebrated as spiritual creatures and able to grant wishes, now on display at The Hive and families are encouraged to come visit and take a selfie using #wishingfish on social media.
Activities at The Hive start on Tuesday, April 10 with an arts workshop led by artist Sarah Millin. These one hour workshops are taking place at 10am, 11.30am, 1.15pm and 2.45pm. Use your imagination to create the fish of your dreams using pattern, colours and explore the magic of everyday waste materials to create a fish on a stick for The Wishing Fish Project.
On Friday, April 13 there will be two two-hour animation workshops with Sandra Salter starting at 10am and 1pm. Decorate a fish with your wish using lettering, illustration, and cutting skills, then animate it so that it can swim up river.
Every hour between 10am and 3pm on the Friday, there will be flash mob drop in sessions with choreographer Marie Oldaker to learn some fishy moves.
Between 10am and 3pm on Friday and Saturday, April 13 and 14, storyteller Sal Tonge will relay fish-themed folk tales and lively songs.
Then on Saturday, April 14 choreographer Marie Oldaker will return with another fun-filled fishy hoedown. Choose from either a morning or afternoon two hour dance workshop at 10am or 1.30pm, which includes a 15-minute break.
All activities are free to attend and those taking part will be invited to show off their creations or dance moves at a huge procession through Worcester City Centre on Saturday, April 21st " World Fish Migration Day - which will finish with a picnic at the University's City Campus, next door to The Hive. Tickets for events can be booked online through The Hive website.
Wishing Fish Project Manager, Steve Boffy, said: "This project is all about engaging the community with the Unlocking the Severn Project, which is a major initiative, so important to our region.
"We would love the community to really get involved by creating their own artwork, or sharing their own stories about fish and the rivers that are central to this area."
Hundreds of children across three local schools " Cranham, Northwick and St Clement's - have been taking part in arts, dance and storytelling activities as part of the project.
The Unlocking the Severn Project will re-open the River Severn and its major tributaries for all species of fish, many of which now struggle to reach areas they could before the installation of weirs in the 1800s, and so their populations have dwindled.