Help Ruskin Park friends celebrate bicentenary

John Ruskin bicentenary event at at Ruskin Park

The Friends of Ruskin Park are crowdfunding to raise the money for a programme of events and celebrations this summer in to mark the bicentenary of John Ruskin’s birth. You can show your support on their crowdfunder page.

The Friends who are a charity run by local people say: “Today, hundreds of people enjoy the park every day but perhaps know little about its remarkable namesake.

“Please help us create a John Ruskin programme of engaging free activities for everyone in the park this summer and autumn.”

John Ruskin (1819 – 1900) believed in a fair and just society, the education of women, the ethics of work and alternatives to a profit-driven society.  He was an artist and art critic, writer, philanthropist and forthright social reformer.

The park, close to where he lived, was created in 1907 to perpetuate his memory and values.

If the crowdfunding is successful the programme will include:

  • Guided walks
  • Poetry workshops for local children and mental health service users led by artist Francesca Beard, leading to a performance at the Ruskin Park Summer Fete
  • A talk on ‘Why Ruskin Matters’ by Suzanne Fagence Cooper
  • An exhibition at the nearby Carnegie Library

.Any additional funds raised will contribute towards our plans to create a permanent John Ruskin trail in the park.