Fruit Routes is an edible route of hundreds of fruit and nut trees and bushes on campus.

Both events are free to attend and open to all, no booking is required.

On 15 March, 2pm-3.30pm, come along for a scenic stroll around the fruit orchards and green spaces of campus with Fruit Routes Project Artist Mita Solanky and Sustainability Assistant Lottie Ambridge. The walk will showcase the locally grown fruit we have access to on campus as well as encouraging you to spend time in nature to improve your wellbeing.

You will be able to enjoy the experience of blossom bathing, allowing your senses to open and wake up to spring. Along the route, you will also learn about what we can forage through the seasons.

The walk will start at the Barefoot Orchard, located next to the Paddock, look out for the Fruit Routes banner near the Geography Weather Station.

For more information on the Spring Walk please see the event webpage.

On 21 March, from 12pm-5pm, come and enjoy the Barefoot Holi, a spring bonfire and celebration of colour. There are three different elements to this event. You are welcome to attend any or all the events on the day.

• 12pm-2pm: Our Planet Dyeing, Seminar Room One, Pilkington Library - A showcase of sustainable textiles and natural dye projects by students from the BA Textiles Sustainability Group. This will include free demonstrations and presentations. You are welcome to drop in anytime between 12pm and 2pm.
• 2pm-5pm: Barefoot Holi Fire Ceremony, Barefoot Orchard - Fruit Routes will be holding a fire ceremony to celebrate the spring equinox, which coincides with many traditional festivals observed around the world that mark the beginning of spring. Artist Saintly Amok will lead a ritual gathering witnessed by fire to mark this critical time of year when we metaphorically burn all that is redundant and scatter seeds that represent the new.
• Approximately 3pm-5pm: Barefoot Colour Play, Barefoot Orchard - The artist has taken inspiration from the change in season and the colours that the environment bursts into at this time of year. Based on the Festival of Holi, which is celebrated in Gujarat in India, amongst other regions, people are invited to embrace their playful and youthful nature and transgress social norms by throwing colours at each other. The colour play will end with sharing some springtime teas and Holi treats. All powder colours being used are non-toxic and water-soluble (natural vegetable dyes and cornflour) and can be easily washed off. It is recommended that you wear washable light coloured clothes for the best experience of colour throwing.

For more information on the Barefoot Holi please see the event webpage.

Members of the public can access the Library for this event but in order to comply with Library regulations, please bring a photo ID with you if possible. Under 18's should be accompanied by an adult but will not require their photo ID.

These Fruit Routes events are part of Loughborough’s Sustainability Fortnight, a two-week period where experts from our community and beyond will be hosting events designed to teach others about the sustainable practices in and around Loughborough, as well as the research taking place that offers promising solutions for the world.