Nonsense Day at Knowsley Safari Park

Birthday celebrations for poet Edward Lear

Budding young poets are invited to join an owl, a pussycat, a 19th century menagerie keeper and even ‘Edward Lear’ to celebrate the poet’s 200th birthday, Saturday 12 May, at Knowsley Safari Park.

A ‘Nonsense Day’ birthday party will be held in honour of Lear, who wrote some of his most famous works while staying at Knowsley Hall. It will see the park’s new Birds of Prey enclosure decked out with bunting, and playing host to activities, including recitals of the nonsense stories, and craft workshops to make ‘runcible’ spoons and owl and pussycat masks.

Visitors are encouraged to get creative and wear fancy dress; top marks, and half price entry will go to those sporting anything from big Victorian beards and top hats to outfits inspired by Lear’s verses.

Rachel Scott, Head of Marketing comments: “Edward Lear lived and worked from 1832 – 1836 and wrote the famous poem ‘The Owl and The Pussycat' to entertain the 13th Earl, Lord Edward Stanley’s children and grandchildren.

“The event is a celebration of the great works by Edward Lear and unearths the unique connection between Edward Lear and Knowsley Hall.”

In addition to the 200th birthday party for Edward Lear, visitors to Knowsley Safari Park will have the opportunity to get acquainted with creatures from zebras to lions as they roam freely throughout the 550 acre safari drive.

They will also get the opportunity to get up close and personal at the Giraffe Tower and the Elephant Platform, watch the sea lions splash about, or bravely venture into the creepy crawly ‘bug house’- the array of attractions makes for a really wild, full day out.

Keepers will give daily talks about the birds of prey, including the owls, and the conservation work undertaken to protect the many species and give visitors a taste of what it’s like to look after the animals.

The Edward Lear ‘Nonsense Day’ will take place from 11:00am – 4:30pm on Saturday 12 May. For more information, visit http://www.knowsleysafariexperience.co.uk/events/.

Knowsley Hall, Knowsley Safari Park and Huyton Art Gallery will also be teaming up on an Edward Lear Trail for schools. This free event will be launching on Monday 21 May.